c/bricklayers

I think everyone's wrong about using a laser level for every single brick course

Okay, hear me out. I know the laser level is the go to tool now, and I used mine for years. But last week, I was working on a curved garden wall in a backyard in Springfield, and the thing just failed me. The battery died halfway through the third course, right when I was setting the arch. I had my old 4 foot aluminum level in the truck, and I had to finish the whole curve by hand, checking plumb and level the old fashioned way. It took longer, sure, but I swear the work felt more solid, and I caught a slight bow in the middle that the laser might have missed because I was moving it. I'm not saying ditch the tech, but maybe we rely on it too much for simple jobs. Has anyone else had a tool fail and gone back to basics, only to find it worked better?

2 comments

fox.derek•2d ago

My old foreman in Phoenix insisted we use a 3/8 inch joint for a specific brick, but the specs called for 1/2 inch.

I went with his advice on a big commercial job and the whole facade had to be torn out. Has anyone else had a mentor's tip backfire spectacularly?

2 comments

adam_adams•3d ago

My mortar mixer's belt snapped halfway through a patio job in Phoenix

It happened yesterday morning, right after I loaded the third batch. The old belt just gave out with a loud pop and sent dust everywhere. I had to finish mixing by hand in the 105 degree heat, which set me back almost three hours. Anyone know a good brand for replacement belts that can handle dry mix all day?

2 comments

hunt.quinn•4d ago

Had to fix a wobbly garden wall in Tucson with no level on hand

Was doing a small repair job last week and my level was back at the shop. The homeowner needed it done that day, so I grabbed a clear plastic tube from my truck, filled it with water, and used it like a giant water level. Taped one end to a brick at the high point and just matched the water line on the other side. It actually worked perfectly to get the top course straight. Anyone else ever use a water tube in a pinch?

c/bricklayers

I think everyone's wrong about using a laser level for every single brick course

My old foreman in Phoenix insisted we use a 3/8 inch joint for a specific brick, but the specs called for 1/2 inch.

My mortar mixer's belt snapped halfway through a patio job in Phoenix

Had to fix a wobbly garden wall in Tucson with no level on hand

The difference a proper mud mix makes on a chimney rebuild

Shoutout to the guy who showed me a better way to mix small batches

Had a close call with a wall collapse on a job in Tempe last Thursday

Found a way to keep my mortar from setting up too fast in the sun

Just realized my $200 laser level was the best money I ever spent on a job

PSA: Check your brick ties on a windy site before you start a full course

Working on that old church in Savannah made me rethink my mortar mix

My uncle told me to mix mortar with a shovel for a whole day and my arms still hurt

Dropped $500 on a laser level for a big job in Boise. Total waste.

Pro tip: My line snapped on a big garden wall job yesterday and the whole thing shifted.

Update: That 'fast-setting' mortar mix cost me a whole afternoon and about $80 in wasted material.

My dad's old partner saw my work and asked about my mortar mix

Appreciation post: A client in Boston made me stop using a 3/8 inch joint for everything

Tried a new lime mix on a Chicago job last month. Did not go as planned.

Fixing a neighbor's wall in Omaha showed me a common brick spacing mistake

Hit 10,000 bricks laid on a single job site and it felt weird

Just realized I'm the only guy on my crew still using a 10 inch trowel for everything.

Showerthought: I lost a full day's pay on a 'fast setting' mortar that wasn't

Had a wild time trying to mix mortar in a wheelbarrow versus a mixer on a job in Boise.

Saw a new build in Charlotte using a mortar mix I wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole

Finished a tricky archway in a single day