Masonry Magazine September 2008 Page. 21

Words: Alison Mullins
Masonry Magazine September 2008 Page. 21

Masonry Magazine September 2008 Page. 21
The New Improved Quikpoint Drill-Mate Mortar Gun

Tuckpointing
Paving
Stonework
Tile
Thin Brick
Cultured Stone
Steel Casements
All types of masonry joints

Melvin Mancia (Mason Forman)
Job: The John Winthrop School, Dorchester, Ma.

Just scoop mortar into the three quart capacity hopper, pull the trigger on the drill and a continuous controlled bead of mortar can be applied, up to five times faster than conventional pointing methods, to any masonry application.

Quikpoint, Inc. 23 B Bradford St., Concord, Ma. 01742 USA
Phone: 978-371-3267 Fax: 978-371-2292 Toll Free USA: 800-368-2292
Web: www.quikpoint.com E-Mail: sales@quikpoint.com

CIRCLE 165 ON READER SERVICE CARD

MASONRY RESTORATION SET

OUR MORTAR REMOVAL SET INCLUDES:

• Trow & Holden "Type B" short stroke air hammer with 1" piston"
10' air hose assembly with all hardware installed, including
Staubli push-button Quick-Connect
Mortar removal chisels (4)
1/8" and 1/4" carbide cape chisels,
4-tooth carbide ripper, 1/4" steel
swept cape chisel (chisels also avail.
in thicknesses starting at 1/32")
Tool pouch & literature on tool use

EVERYTHING YOU NEED
TO GET STARTED
FOR A SPECIAL PRICE
$495
*Use with 5 HP compressor

MADE TO LAST IN BARRE, VERMONT

TROW & HOLDEN COMPANY
45 South Main Street, Barre, Vermont 05641
Toll Free 1-800-451-4349 In Vermont call 476-7221
www.trowandholden.com

CIRCLE 167 ON READER SERVICE CARD

September 2008
Masonry 19

tinue to work without damaging the motor. "If the tool is overheating, it reduces the amount you take off per pass," Anderson explains, adding that proper care will extend the tool's life. "Storage is a concern. Don't leave it on the ground or in a pile of dust. Keep the tool dry and clean."

During use, Anderson recommends letting the blade patiently cut the mortar without pushing the tool to cut faster. "Relax and let the wheel remove the mortar," he says. "Let the tool do the work. Don't force it. Slow down a little instead of ramming it through. You don't need to be aggressive."

Tuckpointing blades and chisels

FOR REMOVING MORTAR with grinders, Grandview, Mo-based Diamond Vantage Inc. offers diamond-tipped tuckpointing blades that remove one-quarter inch of mortar per pass.

"The tuckpointing blade is thicker so it removes more mortar," says Jeff Shermo, regional sales manager, East Coast, for Diamond Vantage. "It's faster to cut out the joint in one pass than to go back and knock it out."

Available in four to seven-inch diameters, the blades have 45-degree bevels on the outer edge.

"The bevel is for a little faster penetration," Shermo says. "The blades save a lot of time and money, and they give a cleaner, cosmetic look to the joint."

Although grinders are available for removing mortar, hammers and chisels are still used, says Steve Cook, sales and marketing manager for Kraft Tool. Sometimes, the masonry contractor may not have electricity available for a grinder, doesn't want to hassle with running extension cords for a small project, or needs to ensure that the brick isn't disturbed or damaged during the job.

"The mason has to adapt to what works best for him for removing the mortar," Cook says.

Kraft Tool offers a special tuckpointing chisel, called a plugging chisel, that's 10 inches long, balanced for a comfortable hold, and has a 45-degree angle on the end.

"It's made to push the mortar out of the joint as you're working," Cook says. "The 45-degree angle on the chisel is ideal to work in all types of joints."

The company also has chisels with fluted sides. Mortar is pushed out through the sides of the chisel as the worker hammers the chisel into the mortar joint, Cook says. Kraft Tool also offers stiff-bristled wire brushes and masonry brushes for


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