Basic Masonry Tools

As befits a trade that has been in existence since the days of ancient Egypt, masonry work
uses common items like crushed stone and limestone from the earth and simple metal
shaping tools. If you are interested in do-it-yourself masonry for fireplaces, walls, planters,
or just about anything that uses brick or stone, you'll want to invest in a basic set of
masonry tools.
Margin Trowel
A margin trowel is a long, thin trowel with a handle that is used for heaping small amounts
of mortar on stone and spreading it.
Margin trowels are used with narrow masonry units such as a manufactured stone veneer
in order to avoid spilling excess mortar over the sides of the veneer units.
Margin trowels, while not appropriate for every masonry project, are as close to a universal
trowel as you can get.
V- or Square-Notch Trowel
The workhorse of masonry jobs, the v- or square-notch trowel is large and has two sides
that are straight and another two sides that are notched.
These notches can either be square or V-shaped, and they serve as a metering system for
dispersing the correct amount of mortar across a flat surface such as cement board.
If you were to try to disperse the mortar evenly with the flat edge of a trowel, it would be
nearly impossible to regulate the correct amount. That's because it's difficult to hold the
trowel above the surface at exactly the right height.
By pressing the trowel's notches flat against the surface, the mortar extrudes from the
notches evenly.
Cold Chisel
A cold chisel has a wide, flat head that is perfectly designed for slicing bricks or veneer
stone in half with a blow from a hammer.
A cold chisel has many other uses, such as chipping away excess mortar or removing a
single brick from a brick wall.
Usually, cold chisels have plastic handles to absorb the shock from the hammer blow. They
also have flared guards on top of the handle to protect the hand from missed hammer
strikes.
Brick Hammer or Mason's Hammer
A brick hammer has a blunt side for tasks like chopping bricks or stones in half with a quick,
decisive blow. The other side is smaller and is used for scoring lines for more precise breaks.
Never use a regular carpenter's hammer for masonry work. Not only might you ruin the
carpenter's hammer, it simply doesn't do the job for masonry work. Masonry requires a
broader hammer face and greater weight.
Wire Brush
Not all masonry tools are devoted to hammering, chopping, and cleaving. A wire brush is
indispensable with masonry work for brushing away rock chips or concrete crumbs that
accumulate in your work zone.
For example, when you chip open a crack in concrete prior to repairing it, a stiff wire brush
and a shop vacuum are just about the only way to remove all of that debris from the crack.
Masonry Materials
This entire collection of masonry materials does not need to be purchased prior to starting
your masonry projects. Rather, buy masonry materials on an as-needed basis shortly before
starting your project.
Masonry Saw

When it comes to cutting through bricks, stones, and

more, nothing else compares to an electric masonry power saw.

While these circular saws don’t typically cut all the way through larger masonry materials, they
make it increasingly easy to achieve a clean break using a chisel.

These saws are also exceptionally able to withstand the heat and friction of stone-cutting due to
their diamond-tipped blade teeth.

(1) Masonry saws shall be guarded with a semicircular enclosure over the
blade. (2) A method for retaining blade fragments shall be incorporated in the
design of the semicircular enclosure. These requirements address certain
safety hazards associated with the use of masonry saws.
Shop-Vac

While this may not be a power tool in the traditional

sense, a shop-vac will ensure that your working area is both safe and clean. Masonry dust is a
considerable hazard on many job sites, so it is always worthwhile to keep a shop-vac available for
the purpose of sucking up excess debris on the ground.

A shop-vac can additionally be used to draw up excess water that may run off during the process
of cooling your cutting-based power tools.

Concrete Drill

Technically, any power drill available to you can be

used as a concrete drill. All you need to do is obtain a set of masonry drill bits that make boring
through concrete safe and efficient.

However, you can also choose to pick up a purpose-built concrete drill. These units typically
feature a stronger motor and better leverage options that can deal with the heavy resistance
faced when boring into the material.
Laser Level

Manual levels can often do the day-to-day work of

keeping your masonry projects aligned. However, when absolute precision is necessary over the
breadth of a large project, only a laser level can promise perfect results.

As long as they are properly calibrated, these compact levels can output precise guides that
never waiver from a flush alignment. Laser levels do come in several forms though (including
multi-line and tripod-mounted models), so be sure to figure out which kind your project needs
before buying one.
1. 1. Importance of proper storage of tools and equipment 1. It is an important factor for safety and
health as well as good business. 2. Improves appearance of general-shop and construction areas.
3. Reduces overall tool cost through maintenance. 4. This also ensures that tools are in good repair
at hand. 5. Teaches workers principles of (tool) accountability.
2. 2. Pointers to follow in storing tools and equipment: 1. Have a designated place for each kind of
tools. 2. Label the storage cabinet or place correctly for immediate finding. 3. Store them near the
point of use. 4. Wash and dry properly before storing. 5. Store knives properly when not in use with
sharp edge down. 6. Put frequently used items in conveniently accessible locations. 7. Gather and
secure electrical cords to prevent entanglement or snagging. 8. Cutting boards should be stored
vertically to avoid moisture collection. 9. Metal equipment can be stacked on one another after
drying such as storage dishes and bowls. 10. Make sure the areas where you are storing the
equipment are clean, dry and not overcrowded.