Brick wall tool - useful or con?

[StevieB]

I need to build a brick wall in the garden, only 500mm high but with a couple of taller pillars, it will be topped by railings but its in the front so needs to look good. I have done a bit of brickwork before but only average DIY stuff and internal so covered over. If I am going to do the front wall, is the following a con or actually useful - any one who has one or has used one I would love to hear how you got on with it:

http://www.brickytool.com/index_eng.html

In theory it will be far cheaper than paying a bricklayer to do the job, but I have the nagging feeling its not going to be quite as easy as it looks to get a decent finish.

cheers,

Steve.

 

[TrimTheKing]

That looks really good (to my untrained eye). As you say, will be harder than he makes it look, but a bit of practice should get you there I would imagine.

I have to have a pizza oven built next spring so will definitely give this some consideration before forking out for a brickie to do it for me...

 

[MikeG.]

I wouldn't waste your money!

It is only a way of laying out a bed of mortar evenly, and that is not a very important part of bricklaying, (and is actually quite easy anyway).

The very best way would be to ask for some help from someone who has done a bit of bricklaying. Bricklayers usually work in pairs, for a reason. My only other big tip for bricklaying is to consider your mortar very carefully. If you have a nice brick, particularly the more irregular or rustic-type bricks, then a white mortar generally looks a whole lot better than a grey mortar made with normal OPC. You'll be amazed at the difference!

Mike

 

[Al Bundy]

Excellent bit of kit for the non bricklayer. I saw a decent sized garage built by a complete beginner using this tool and the result was superb, Ive seen a lot worse work by bricklayers and the guy using it said it was very simple to use.

 

[cambournepete]

Wot Mike said.
If you're worried about doing the brick laying yourself then get one in. A colleague's brother (who is a builder) did some for me 3 or 4 years ago for just £80 with me helping as his labourer, mixing up the muck etc.
Gives you a chance to learn a bit about doing it as well...

 

[yo_chuci]

friend has one...

doesn't use it so much now as he's now learn how to get an even bed without the tool. but he said it was only from using the tool that he learn how to do it...

gave good results too

 

[Daven]

I have one - have laid bricks with and without. This tool does make it easier to spread the morter (and stops most of it landing on the floor!).

If you want a professional job, get a brick layer in, if you want the fun of doing yourself and a fair job then get this tool! Not quite as easy as the video shows, but with practice.....

Dave

 

[wizer]

(it's not made by Dakota is it?) 8-[

I'd buy it. If it does what that video says it does, then it's worth it. I've not got time to spend learning how to brick lay and my missus wouldn't want to live with the results. You still have to have common sense and a bit of brick laying knowledge, it just take away the errors involved with setting neat mortar joints.

 

[MikeG.]

Tom,

it doesn't! Tapping the brick down to line up with a string-line is what gives you an even mortar bed. The only thing it does is stop you dropping mortar all over the place as you lay out the bed in the first place...........and that takes about 10 mintues to learn. Honestly, this is a DIY toy......spend a few minutes learning the skill. It is not difficult at all.

Mike

 

[jpt]

A friend of mine has one and he wouldnt be without it now.

He started building his own brick garage and needed to do the brick laying himself because he couldnt afford to pay someone. He started building it and it looked a mess then he saw this on QVC and brought it. He tried it out on a test wall then turned round and demolished the garage that was about a 1/4 built and had taken him weeks putting up.

He finished the garage very quickly and has since gone on to build a BBQ, storage cupboard and a few walls and they all look superb.

It is like everything else some people can do it free hand others need a bit of help.

john

 

[head clansman]

hi

I built an extension when i was a lot younger ,and had to go through a huge learning curve as i went along , wish i had a tool like that then , if i was going to do another extension then yes i would buy one even now, excellent tool , excellent value, not everyone can afford to bring in paid labour, theres bricklayers and then theres bricklayers, anyway it all part of the learning curve in life, doing it yourselves gives self satisfaction. hc

 

[RogerS]

If I was doing some more bricklaying, I'd get this gadget.

 

[StevieB]

Thanks guys - a range of opinions as always! I think I will risk a punt of £30 and get one (sorry Mike!) and if its still awful then I will pay a brickie. If as you say Mike its an easy skill to pick up, then all I have lost is £30 minus what I can flog it for on e-bay.

Steve.

 

[JMcK]

What about making a wooden one? No fancy springs in it but surely a lot less than £30.

Just a thought.

 

[studders]

I built my own garage. The hardest bit was getting consistently even mortar beds and learning to get the face of the bricks level, not the tops. The bricky will help with first but it's up to you to do the second.

hth

 

[SammyQ]

"get the face of the bricks level, not the tops"


Er..."Plumb" faces?

Sam

 

[studders]

"get the face of the bricks level, not the tops"


Er..."Plumb" faces?

Sam

That's what I would of said if I said what I should of said. :lol:

 

[wizer]

It's a good point actually, getting the wall plumb would be my biggest concern.

Anyway, why the **** are we talking about bricks??? Surely Wood is much more superior in all cases :lol:

 

[clewlowm]

the idea of laying bricks is that you spread the cement to a depth of 15mm. then tap your brick into place? how is the brick held in place when you use that stupid diy piece of plastic? it is just sat on top of the cement.

 

[big soft moose]

I'm with mike on this one - I'm in no way a proffesional but ive built loads of brickwalls without investing in plastic gadgetary.

the two keys to doing a good job are

a) getting the motar right - not too runny or too dry

b) Decent tools - trowel, spirit level, and plumb bob

and

c) paitence - in the same way you wouldnt just bosh stuff together in the workshop - the same applies to building , take your time to prepare the site , lay out your kit, and lay each course - proffesional brickies are very quick but thats from years of practice , there is no need to try to work at that speed

and bottom line if its at a high profile point like the front wall of your front garden - if you doubt your own ability just get a pro in - as it will be the first thing prospective buyers see if you ever sell , doing a substandard job yourself will knock more off your house value than you save on pro fees