Masonry Tools

There are different kinds of tools in masonry and plastering jobs. Some simple hand tools are still used to carry out simple tasks in the masonry trade . There are a wide variety of masonry and plastering tools. It is to be noted that tools used in masonry are solely designed to be used only in masonry and cannot be used for other purposes. The saying "the right tool for the job" is appropriate in masonry trades. Trying to use a hammer or a wood chisel to cut stone is like “beating your head against the wall.” Here we give below a few of the complete line of masonry and plastering hand tools that are popularly used.

 

Types of Masonry Tools

 

Tamper

The tamper tool is used in masonry for pressing exposed aggregate into concrete and also compact the soil before pouring concrete. It is usually in the shape of a long or short handle attached to a flat blade surface. When imprinting concrete with texture mats or skins, this tool is used to securely tamp down the mat and ensure a good outlook.

 

Straightedges

Straightedges are used to strike off or remove freshly placed concrete and make the surface as level as possible before finishing. Straightedges are made of various metals like aluminum, magnesium and even wood. They are available in various lengths and cross sections.
 

 

Floats

Floats are widely used in masonry jobs. The main purpose of using floats is to fill voids, level ridges, and smooth the surface in preparation for troweling. The tool can also be used to work in dry-shake color hardener. It can also be used to bring paste to the surface by pushing down the coarse aggregate. Most floats for decorative concrete work are made of aluminum, magnesium, or wood. Less common float materials are rubber, stainless steel, and laminated wood or canvas resin. There are bull floats for working in large areas of concrete. They are usually 8 inches in width and 3 to 10 feet in length. There are hand floats in length from 12 to 24 inches and in width from 3 to 5 inches. Most floats are available with rounded or square ends. Round-end floats are perfect in tight corners and help to minimize lap marks.

 

Steel Trowels

To produce a smooth, hard, dense slab surface, steel trowels are used after floating. Similar in appearance as hand floats, there are only two differences—one in the blades which are thinner and the other in the handles which are open rather than closed. The most common types of steel used in blade are stainless, blue, and high-carbon steel. Blue steel is thin and lightweight, so the trowel flexes slightly under hand pressure. Stainless steel blades will not stain or rust concrete surfaces. Steel trowel dimensions range from 10 to 24 inches in length and 3 to 5 inches in width.

 

 

Fresnos

Fresno trowels are designed in such a way that they are attached to long extension handles so that masons don't have to walk out on the slab. Fresnos are efficient in rapid work over large areas, like driveways. However the only drawback is that do not achieve the same degree of compaction that can be achieved with hand trowels. However, that can be also be considered as an advantage when you must trowel slabs early for decorative work. In this way they can create a smooth finish without premature sealing of the surface. Fresnos are available in blue, stainless, or high-carbon steel, with rounded or square ends. But they come in longer lengths ranging from 2 to 4 feet.

Edgers

Edgers are important masonry tools used to produce a clean edge along joints in concrete. It can also be used to produce a clean edge along the slab perimeter. Edgers help in creating a neat, rounded edge that's less prone to chipping or spalling. Thwy are availble in varied sizes. The general size range from 1 1/2 to 6 inches wide and 6 to 10 inches long. There is a lip on one side of the tool which is actually the edge and it ranges from 1/8 inch to 2 inches in radius and its depth is from 3/8 inch to 1 1/2 inches.

Groovers

Groovers as masonry tools are used to tool control joints in plastic concrete . They are made of bronze or stainless steel. They have a V-shaped bit that is used to cut the groove. They come with wood or comfort-grip handles like edgers. They areavailabel in various sizes ranging from 2 to 8 inches wide and 3 to 10 inches long, but the most common groover size is 6 inches long and 4 1/2 inches wide. Bi-directional groovers are also available. These grooves have double-end bits that can help in cutting forward or backward.

 

Miscellaneous Masonry Tools

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tags:- Hand Masonry Tools, Masonry Tools, Masonry Tools Floats

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