Who gets the most cracks? Square vs Angled cuts

[WoodchuckDad]

Re: Who gets the most cracks? Square vs Angled cuts

Well I think I feel a little more comfortable now with just making the basic cuts and not obcessing too much about that....I did some angle cuts at the top of the soldiers and laid the first 20 or so in. I really stink at bricklaying. I my inner joints are not very tight and I was really having a problem with the mortar. first it seemed too thick then it seemed like I had it too thin. I found it easiest to with if it was about the consistency of organic peanut butter. I didn't even realize I was starting to make the bricks lean to the side untill I was cleaning them up.the last one really has an ugly lean to it.



what is the secret to buttering these thing and pushing them together without making the other bricks move or come apart from each other. I had to go back and push some of the prevous ones back together as I went. It'll be a miracle if this thing stands up when it's done.

[fxpose]

Re: Who gets the most cracks? Square vs Angled cuts

what is the secret to buttering these thing and pushing them together without making the other bricks move or come apart from each other. I had to go back and push some of the prevous ones back together as I went. It'll be a miracle if this thing stands up when it's done.

I didn't even bother buttering the sides of the bricks. Once the course set the next day I forced mortar into the joints using my fingers, from both inside and outside the dome, like if I were grouting tile.

George

[Les]

Re: Who gets the most cracks? Square vs Angled cuts

Woodchuck, just a suggestion, but I would lay down some wood or cardboard to cover your surface. It will save you a butt load of time from cleaning up the dropped / splashed mortar. In regard to the mortar issue, I would just butter the inside joint and use a grout bag for the back after things have settled. As far as bricklaying - we have all been there. When you drop in your plug, you will look back and say, damn, I'm a mason.

Les...

[WoodchuckDad]

Re: Who gets the most cracks? Square vs Angled cuts

yeah, after cleaning up all the crap I dropped I am gonna put down something before I go on with the rest of the soldiers. And I am sure I will say something when I drop that keystone in but I darned sure won't proclaim myself a mason.

[Raffy]

Re: Who gets the most cracks? Square vs Angled cuts

The super meticulous people who cut their bricks so that there are the tiniest of joints are also the people who obsess about cracks. Those of us that that were less meticulous have no idea whether we have cracks or not

Hahaha This is sooo true for me. I put globs of mortar and so far haven't even seen a crack in the interior of the dome or the arches. Maybe I'm not looking hard enough (or maybe I'm not too bothered if I do have cracks or not). I do have cracks on the stucco which covers the insulation but mainly where the stucco meets the arch and chimneys. It's to be expected I guess since the two materials have different heat expansion properties.

[dtrbovich]

Re: Who gets the most cracks? Square vs Angled cuts

Great topic.....it puts a concern of mine to rest.