The Fastest 20 Minutes in Masonry

Words: Tim O'toolehttps://masoncontractors.azurewebsites.net/Public/News/20110116080000-1.jpg" width="600" height="338" border="0" alt="The Fastest Trowel on the Block will be held Thursday, January 20 at 12:00 PM in the Gold Lot of the Las Vegas Convention Center." />
The Fastest Trowel on the Block will be held Thursday, January 20 at 12:00 PM in the Gold Lot of the Las Vegas Convention Center.
The Fastest Trowel on the Block, presented by QUIRKETE and hosted by the MCAA, is a showcase of industry craftsmanship and a testament of both the speed and skill of our industry's workforce. Only those journeymen masons who have the skill, confidence and courage to face-off with the industry's best are invited to compete.

The competition will pit journeyman masons, accompanied by their two favorite tenders, against one another in a show of both speed and craftsmanship. Each contestant's goal is to complete as much of an 18-blocklong wall as possible, using 8"x8"x16" CMU and the provided mortar in a twenty-minute heat. Contestants must have a high degree of workmanship using normal masonry practices and hand tools.

The contest promotes quality training and pride in workmanship among journeymen and contractors, as well as promoting the craftsmanship, speed and versatility of masonry systems and the masonry workforce. This contest also rewards and highlights the country's best mason journeymen for their hard work and dedication to the trade.

The competition will be held Thursday, January 20, 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM at the Gold Lot of the Las Vegas Convention Center in the front of North Hall.

For more information about the competition including rules, a list of past winners and video of last year’s competition, please visit www.fastesttrowel.com.
Who Knows Most About Keeping Masonry Workers Safe?

As a safety professional who has specialized largely in masonry safety since the late 1980s, I’ve grown to think that I know a great deal about keeping masonry workers safe. That being said, I must admit that my colleagues and I know more about complianc

Recognizing Women in the Industry

Masonry was introduced to the world through the imagination, determination, and pure strength of mankind. The first masons’ unique abilities harnessed the earth around them to create the structures that provided the security that allowed us to advance. Th

About: Featured
Understanding Different Types of Trowels Originating Through Government Specifications

Trowels are essential tools in masonry, each one designed with specific functions and specifications to aid in various tasks. Knowing the right type of trowel to use can greatly impact the quality and efficiency of your work. This article dives into the f

Natural Stone Institute Holds Utah Study Tour

Oberlin, OH, September 17, 2024—157 attendees from 48 member companies and 5 architectural firms attended the annual NSI Study Tour, which took place in Salt Lake City August 25-28, with an optional extension to Idaho on August 29. Highlights included an