Today, masonry has become a field in demand. Day by day, people build more and more buildings. Naturally, people need masonry workers to build them. However, no masonry worker is a proper masonry worker without the necessary masonry tools. They matter a lot when a mason is working in the field. You must have understood how important they are if you are a masonry worker. If you want to be a mason, you should know them pretty well. And this article would tell you all that you need to know about masonry tools.
Why are Masonry Tools Important?
Masonry is mainly about construction. It is about constructing various edifices and structures. Just imagine how it would be if you get to construct a structure all on your own without any tool. That is simply impossible, right? You need hand tools as well as power tools. That is to make the task doable and easy.
So, it is very simple. You need proper tools mainly for your convenience. It would be pretty hard to perform a particular task if you do not have the right tools with you. And of course, we always want to make our lives easier, right? That expectation is common to each and every profession. Whatever we do, we want to make it as easy as possible. So, tools are what we need. And it is even more needful in a field like this.
Moreover, being efficient is important for a masonry worker. If it takes a lot of time for you to perform a particular task, you would not be able to complete it on time. And you will not be able to make your clients happy. As a matter of fact, having proper tools would increase the efficiency of what you do. You would be able to finish off your tasks on time as well.
Another important factor that matters is the quality of a particular task. If you need to do something out of supreme quality, of course, you need to give a proper finishing. And you need to make it look professional. How can you do this? The answer is using proper tools. With the use of proper tools, you would be able to give it a professional finishing. And you can arrive at a quality outcome for sure.
What are the Tools used in Masonry?
Without further explanations let us now come straight into the topic. What are the tools that masonry workers use in masonry? There are plenty of tools. Each and every one of those tools serve a specific purpose. And each of them is important. For ease of understanding, we thought of classifying those tools into several categories based on the types of masonry jobs. We assume that it would be much clearer for our readers to get an idea about masonry tools that way.
- Masonry Tools used in Cement Masonry and Brick Masonry
- Stonemasonry Tools
We know that you would be eager to know about the tools of each of these categories. Yes, our next focus is on that.
1. Masonry Tools used in Cement Masonry and Brick Masonry
First of all, we thought of telling you what cement masonry is. As the name itself says, it is the type of masonry that is related to cement and concrete work. In much simpler terms, it is related mainly to the construction fields. Thus, brick masonry is also a part of the construction field. As you know, almost all the constructions need cement, concrete, and brickwork. Moreover, if there is anything related to walkways or such things, cement and concrete masons are the ones who are employed. So, now, let us take a look at the essential tools of this category.
- Trowels
- Mason Squares
- Plumb Bobs
- Spirit Levels
- Water Levels
- Boning Rods
- Mortar Pans
- Jointers
- Spades
- Line and Pins
- Hammers
- Brickwork Gauge Rods
- Straight Edges
Knowing what the tools are is not really adequate. You must also understand the nature of each of them and their uses. The next section of the article is about that.
Trowels
There are certain tools that many professionals use. This is also one of them. Although it looks more like a tool used only by masonry workers, other professionals also use this. And there can be certain occasions where other field workers would use trowels for small-scale masonry work.
If we give you a basic description of what a trowel is, it is fundamentally a hand tool that masonry workers use for spreading and smoothing mortar and plaster.
As we told you, many field workers use different types of trowels. Apart from masonry trowels, there are specified trowels that are for landscaping tasks. We generally call them garden trowels. Also, there are trowels that archeologists use. They are majorly for archeological excavations. And there are camping trowels as well. They are to set up tents.
But here, our focus is on masonry trowels. In fact, there are different types of masonry trowels as well. What are those?
- Basic Masonry Trowels
- Corner Trowels
- Brick-laying Trowels
Now, let us consider them and get an idea. You would like to know about them that way.
Basic Masonry Trowels
This is what you would just call a trowel. And this trowel has a stainless steel part with a plastic or wooden handle. Basically, these are to lift and spread mortar during construction. Some trowels may have a pointed end whereas some may have a nosed end. And just like many other hand tools, these types of basic masonry trowels also come in various sizes.
Goldblatt 3-Piece Finishing Trowel Set, Made of Premium Carbon Steel, Wood Handle, Plastering Trowel Set Includes 14” x 4”, 12” x 4” & 8” x 3”
In terms of basic masonry trowels, this is the recommendation that we have for you. It has a sandblasting finish for rust resistance. And it is robust and durable. Also, this is mMade of quality high carbon steel for great strength. Even though you use this for long time, this barely causes you any fatigue. Your work is simpler with its consistent finish with a flat blade. Application, smoothing, polishing, and shining are all possible with its beveled working blade edges. This is a professional-level piece of equipment. We are so sure that this would be pretty useful for you to have as one of your masonry tools.
Corner Trowels
In actual fact, this is sort of a modification to the basic masonry trowel. Whenever a mason needs to shape the corners of a wall, corner trowels are really useful. Mainly, there are two types of corner trowels.
- Inside Corner Trowel: Inside corner trowels are used on inside corners. These are actually much more common. It is because you need them more often. To shape the corner of a vertical wall and a floor, you would obviously need an inside corner trowel. All the same, adjustable models of these are also available on the market
- Outside Corner Trowel: This is the other type of corner trowel that cement masons have to use. Of course, this is to work on outside corners. When the masons are working on a wall that bends in 90 degrees, these are useful. And these trowels have a sharp 90-degree angle as well as a bullnose.
Now you know about trowels. Let us go forth. There are so many other masonry tools that you need to know about.
Draper Trowel Set (5 piece) – 69153
This trowel set consists of carbon steel blades that have been hardened, tempered, and coated. And these trowels have handles with soft grips for user comfort. For you to add these to your masonry tools, these would be perfect. “Really good quality. Great tools.” This is how a happy customer of this product has reviewed it on Amazon. We hope that this review explains how good this product is.
Brick-laying Trowels
We think there is hardly any need to explain the purpose of using a brick-laying trowel. This is the type of trowel that you can use specifically for laying bricks. Also, you can use a brick-laying trowel for spreading mortar or cement as well. And you can use them to cut soft bricks. Nevertheless, they are available in different sizes and shapes on the market.
OX Tools 9″ Narrow London Brick Trowel | OX Grip
As we told you, it is important for masonry workers to have brick-laying trowels. And this is a product that we can recommend to you. For maximum comfort, this consists of an ox grip handle with finger protection. For tapping in bricks, you can use the hard end of its handle. Its blade is made of solid forged steel for maximum strength. Also, this has a precision tapered ground blade. With all these features we suggest you go for this product.
Mason Squares
This is the next type of masonry tool that we are going to focus on next. Masonry squares are basically for setting up right angles at the corners of walls. So, you may also call it a setting out square as well. This basic hand tool is made of steel and it has an L shape.
Although it is one of the most basic tools among the masonry tools, it is indeed pretty helpful. Basically, accuracy is a major factor when it comes to construction fields. If a mason fails to get the angle right, it would turn out to be a major problem. But with the use of a mason square, you would be able to get the right angle right.
This is about mason squares. But there are more. Let us read about them.
Groz 2-inch Steel Square | General Purpose | 48 Microns Squareness (01100)
If you want to buy mason squares, we think that this product would be ideal. These mason squares feature precise right angles on both the inside and outside and are made from chosen steel with hardened blades. Both the blade and the stock are precision ground, ensuring straightness and parallelism. For features like ease to read, accuracy, and value for money, this has received positive ratings and reviews on Amazon.
Plumb Bobs
You may also call it a plummet. It is a tool that has gotten a string tied to a weight. Normally, the weight is referred to as the bob. And it has a wood board which we call the plumb rule. The plumb bob is in a groove on the center of the plumb rule. This is actually a quite an ancient tool. But today also, it is widely in use in the industry.
The purpose of using a plumb bob is to check if a particular structure is perfectly vertical. So, masonry workers use the plummet as a vertical reference line. When you place the plumb rule vertically with a particular wall, the plumb bob should be in the groove line if the wall is vertical. If the plumb is not in the groove line, the mason can do the needful and fill up the relevant part of the wall to make it vertical.
Although this is a simple tool, this is indeed really useful. There is no masonry worker at all who does not have this masonry tool. It is that important.
All the same, anybody can understand how important it is. For a moment, assume if there was no such thing as plumb bobs. Can you think of any other fundamental technique or principle that you can use to perform the same task? Yes, it is hard to think about one. This is such a marvelous tool.
Currently, there are even mobile applications that serve the same purpose. But nothing would resemble having traditional plumb bobs. You would indeed agree with us.
AWF PRO Plumb Bob Kit – 16 oz and 8 oz Solid Brass Plumb Bobs, 14 ft Retractable Line Reel with Magnetic Base, 2 Pencils, Pencil Sharpener, Carrying Case
In terms of plumb bob kits, we think that this would be a good one. Plumb bobs are one of the most basic instruments for establishing a precise vertical line, as you would know. Here is a precision-crafted plumb bob set that we can recommend to you. This has two plumb bobs. For a total of 4 steel tips, each plumb bob comes with 2 replacement steel tips (one is buried in the cap). Both sizes share the same replaceable caps and tips, making size changeover a breeze. This is so easy to use and you would surely be delighted once you buy it.
Spirit Levels
Plumb bobs are to assess whether a wall is perfectly vertical. What about horizontal structures? What about the floors? Well, simply, you can use levels for that. Much more scientifically and technically, what levels do is showing you how parallel or perpendicular a surface is relative to the earth. But still, you can use a spirit to check a vertical surface as well.
A spirit level has a mineral spirit solution in it. That is why we call it a spirit level. Generally, spirit levels are made of plastic or wood. There is a bubble tube in the middle of a level. And there is an air bubble in the spirit solution in the bubble tube. The indication to show that a surface is perfectly horizontal or vertical is that the bubble settles in the center of the bubble tube.
A spirit level is not a tool that only masonry workers use. Almost all field workers use spirit levels. It is because whatever the field is, checking whether something is horizontal or vertical is pretty important. So, nowadays there are specific types of spirit levels that are specialized in various fields. Thus, a masonry worker can use a general masonry spirit level.
As alternatives for spirit levels, there are tools such as reed levels, and laser line levels available on the market.
Anyway, there are mobile phone applications that allow you to use your mobile phones to perform the task. Hence, the use of traditional spirit levels seems to be decreasing.
STABILA 29824 Type 80 AS-2 Spirit Levels Pro Set 24″/48″ and Type 81 SM 10″ Die Cast Magnetic Torpedo, Slim, Stable and Handy Profile For Any Measuring Task,Yellow
This is an accurate and reliable spirit level that you can use. This has two measuring surfaces for precise measurements in every position. And this spirit level is so easy to use. It is a professional-level one. Those who have bought it are also so happy with it. This has received good ratings for features like lightness, value for money, accuracy, and durability.
Huepar 3D Green Beam Self-Leveling Laser Level 3 x 360 Cross Line Three-Plane Leveling and Alignment Laser Level Tool -Two 360° Vertical and One 360° Horizontal Line -Magnetic Pivoting Base GF360G
This is also particularly a good product that you can go for. While the pendulum is unlocked, this laser level tool self-levels and identifies out-of-level conditions thanks to its clever pendulum technology. It changes to manual mode after pendulum locking to lock lines for usage at any angle. This self-leveling laser level used a brilliant green laser unit, which is more stable and resistant to temperature fluctuations. For installation on a tripod or mounting pole, this has 1/4″-20 and 5/8″-11 mounting holes. And this has a magnetic pivoting base that allows it to be adjusted to the desired angle. In addition to 1/4″-20 and 5/8″-11 mounting threads, the magnetic base features 1/4″-20 and 5/8″-11 mounting threads to accommodate various tripod threads. The base has strong magnets that allow it to be attached to metal track and steel.
Water Levels
You cannot use spirit levels if you need to check whether two points with some distance are perfectly horizontal. In other words, you cannot check the inclination of two such points using a spirit level. Thus arises the need for water levels.
A water level consists of clear tubing. The ends of the tubing have to be held vertical and the remaining part would lie on the ground. At the same elevation, the water levels at both ends should be equal following the basic concepts of physics.
So, masonry workers can easily check the inclination using. It does not take much time either.
One important thing about water levels is that it uses water. Water is widely available for no cost and you can discard water without any problem. Hence, using water levels for construction costs almost nothing.
But when you are using water levels, you must be mindful that the water throughout the tube is of the same uniform temperature. If not, there would be errors.
For ease of measurement, you can add a die to the water. Thus, it would become easier. And if you are engaged in masonry work during the winter season, you can use antifreeze to stop the water from freezing.
You would have understood how important it is for a masonry worker to have a water level.
Zircon 68176 Water Level 25 Contractor Kit with 50 Ft. Hose and Accessories
This kit comes with an electronic water level, 50 feet of hose, and numerous accessories to let you level distances up to 50 feet precisely. With this, you can level precisely around curves and away from the electronic control unit. Its easy-to-read display is suitable for use both inside and outdoors, even in strong daylight. Additional 25-foot hoses are available for purchase separately; the hoses may be stretched up to 100 feet for precise results. You can purchase those additional hoses from the same manufacturer.
Boning Rods
Boning rods consist of three rods. Each and every rod is T-shaped. In some boning rods, all the rods are equal in size and shape. But some have a longer rod and two identical rods. If so, the langer consists of a movable T-piece. Hence, we call it the traveler or traveling rod.
And why do masons use boning rods? The purpose it serves is simple. Masonry workers use boning rods for leveling from two fixed points. Actually, this is also not a tool that only masonry workers use. Many other field workers use this tool.
Anyway, boing rods are apparently very useful in the industry, especially for cement masons and concrete finishers.
Mortar Pans
As the name itself suggests, this is a pan that masonry workers can use to carry mortar. And in some places, they call it ‘ghamela’. But it does not mean that you can carry only mortar in a mortar pan. You can carry sand, cement, concrete, or whatever that you may need to carry in the field. And you can use a mortar pan to mix the mortar as well as carrying it.
Although it is not technically a high-tech tool, you have a lot of advantages of using a mortar pan. You would be easily able to perform the task without much bewilderment. So, it is pretty useful for masonry workers naturally.
Bon Tool 11-174 29-Inch by 29-Inch by 6-1/2-Inch 3.2 Cubic Feet Steel Mortar Pan
Going for this would certainly be a good choice if you want to buy a mortar pan. This is a durable and sturdy mortar pan. And we are so sure that you would be able to utilize this for a long period of time without any issue. This has received good ratings and reviews on Amazon. “It’s awesome”, says a buyer of this mortar pan.
Jointers
Next, our focus is on jointers. In the field of masonry, a jointer is a tool that is in the form of a striking tool. Some may also call this tool a brick jointer.
However, the main purpose of using a jointer or a brick jointer is to finish the horizontal or the vertical mortar joints. A jointer has the ability to imprint grooves at the mortar joints before they set. So, it can give the mortar a long-lasting life span as well as a very good condition.
Although this type of jointer is a simple tool, it is pretty much useful for a masonry worker for construction work.
MARSHALLTOWN The Premier Line – M/T83 83 3/8-Inch & 1/2-Inch Brick Jointer
This brick jointer is made of high-carbon steel. So, there is nothing to worry about its durability and sturdiness. Further, with the use of this piece of equipment, you can certainly get your job done pretty efficiently and effectively. “Quality product and easy to use”, says a happy customer of this product.
Spades
Spades are digging tools. In some regions, they call it phavada. A spade has a metal blade and a long handle. Initially, spades were for moving earth. In the old ages, people made them using animal bones. But with the development of metal technology, people used metals to make spades and they made the blades sharp. And later, different types of spades came into light apart from the traditional spades. Anyway, it is mainly in use in gardening or landscaping in addition to the use in fieldwork like masonry.
As a masonry tool, masonry workers use spades to mix the mortar, cement, or concrete in the head pan. Using this kind of tool makes the task pretty convenient. And masons can easily carry the mixed mortar to some other place using spades to put into some piece of equipment in which they can take it. Thus, apparently, there cannot be a tool any better than this for that purpose.
Furthermore, masonry workers may have to dig trenches for laying out foundations. Just like landscapers or gardeners use spades for digging trenches, masons also may have to dig the earth on certain occasions. Yes, that is when they have to lay out foundations. If it is not a massive project, heavy machinery like excavators or backhoes would not be in use. Then, spades would become the most useful tools.
And there are different sizes of spades available on the market. You can have a collection with you if you are a masonry worker.
DEWALT Spade Drill Bit for Masonry, 4-Inch (DW5848B)
This has a fully hardened steel body that extends the life and durability of the product. And consequently, that reduces breakage of this product. Tile, mortar, glazing compounds, and other masonry materials can be slightly chipped and chiseled using this tool. Hence, this is a perfect piece of equipment for any masonry worker. We think that you should definitely go for this product.
Line and Pins
Next, we are going to tell you about the line and pins. This tool consists of a string and a couple of pin-pointed metal rods. Majorly, masons use this tool for brick masonry work. It is mainly to maintain alignment. So, they use lines and pins while they are laying bricks.
Mayhew Pro 62235 Line-Up Punch Kit, 4-Piece
In this set, you would be getting a 1/4-inch black oxide line-up punch, 1/8-inch black oxide line-up punch, 5/32-inch black oxide line-up punch, and a 3/16-inch black oxide line-up punch. All these would be necessarily important in masonry work for a masonry worker. “Durable! And exactly what I needed.” This is how a buyer of this set has revied it on Amazon. Furthermore, for factors like sturdiness and value for money, this has received pretty good ratings. Therefore, we strongly think that this would be a good product for you to go for.
Hammers
Hammers are very common in construction fields. Many field workers get to use them. Anyway, there are different types of hammers. Each of them serves a specific purpose. And they are specifically for various fields. But our main focus is on the types of hammers that you can use in the field of masonry.
- Brick Hammer
- Lump Hammer and Bolster
- Scutch
You would like to know about them in detail. So, let us move into the descriptions.
Brick Hammer
What are brick hammers? A brick hammer is a tool that has a square face and a chisel-shaped blade. In cement masonry and brick masonry, you can use a brick hammer to cut bricks in different sizes and shapes. And if bricks come out of the coarse line, then also you can use a brick hammer to push them in.
Further, if there is any task related to cutting a concrete part, then you can use it. Even if you need to chip off the edges of small stones, the brick hammer is useful. These are also available in different sizes on the market.
Estwing Bricklayer’s/Mason’s Hammer – 16 oz Masonary Tool with Forged Steel Construction & Shock Reduction Grip – E3-16BLC , Silver
This is one of the most long-lasting and robust striking tools available on the market. This has a durable handle as well. Stonemasons, bricklayers, geologists, quarry workers, carpenters, contractors, tradesmen, and many more professionals can make use of this tool. As this is a quality product, we think that this would be good for you.
Lump Hammer and Bolster
Lump hammer and bolster are a couple of tools that are widely in use in the industry. The terms club hammer, crack hammer, and drilling hammer also refer to the lump hammer. You can use it for demolition work. Also, you can use a lump hammer for driving masonry nails.
To improve accuracy when cutting brick, masonry workers use a bolster with a lump hammer. It is a steel chisel consisting of a wide blade.
Estwing Sure Strike Drilling/Crack Hammer – 3-Pound Sledge with Fiberglass Handle & No-Slip Cushion Grip – MRF3LB, Blue/Yellow
You do not have to worry about the strength and durability of this hammer. It is a sturdy product. It has a perfect and delicate balance. So, for a powerful but smooth striking, this hammer would surely be an excellent choice for any masonry worker. Further, this has a lightweight and durable handle. That allows you to have a comfortable grip when you are striking. And that can prevent any slips. So, we think that this would be a good piece of equipment for you to choose.
Scutch
Some call this a double-ended comb hammer or a scutch hammer. This particular tool has gotten two groove components. The comb of this hammer is made of metal. And the handle can be made either from plastic or wood.
If we consider the purpose of the scutch hammer, masonry workers use it mainly for removing excess material even after removing them using a bolster. A scutch hammer would give you a great and smooth finishing.
Silverline Ha64 Double-ended Scutch Hammer 25 Oz
This tool’s head is made of powder-coated forged steel. And it has a heavy-duty rubber grip on a tubular steel shaft. And this steel shaft is durable as it is weather-resistant. As this is a quality product, we think that this would be ideal for a masonry worker for long-term use.
Brickwork Gauge Rods
Let us now take a look at brickwork gauge rods. What are these for? Basically, these are for adjusting the depth of mortar between bed joints. Just assume that you have to set brick courses in a way that covers up the entire area in a balanced manner. In other words, just assume that you have to set up an exact number of brick courses. If so, you have to assure that causes are at the correct levels. For that, you can use a brickwork gauge rod.
Straight Edges
Next in line is the straight edge. Mainly, masonry workers use straight edges to assess the straightness of brickwork. Also, you can use straight edges to draw a straight line. Usually, straight edges have equally spaced markings along with them. So, we can generally call them rulers as well. However, as you would understand, straight edges are indispensable equipment in masonry work.
With the description of straight edges, we have come to the end of cement masonry and brick masonry tools. But it is not the end of the article. It is just the end of one section. There is a lot more we have to tell you. And from here onwards, it is a new section. It is about the masonry tools used in stonemasonry.
2. Stonemasonry Tools
Basically, stonemasons are the type of masonry workers who build and repair stone walls as well as stone floors. It can be masonry work with artificial stones or with natural stones. Setting marble, granite, limestone, and artificial stones is part of this. Of course, masonry is a vast field that has many diverse sectors. Just like the diversity of the profession, each sector has gotten specific tools as well. And now, we are going to look into the tools that stonemasons use.
- Chisels
- Hammers
- Saws
- Axes
- Bevels
- Crowbars
- Claw Tools
- Gauges
- Punches
- Plug and Feathers
- Gads
- Drags
Now you know the tools that stonemasons use. So, why not get to know about each of them descriptively. Keep reading! You will get to know all about them.
Chisels
Commonly, chisels are tools that masonry workers use for cutting or carving hard material. You have to use it with a striking tool like a hammer. This is a common tool for most construction fields. As for stonemasons, they have to use chisels for cutting and carving stones that they have to use for the masonry work. In fact, there are different types of chisels.
- Wood-handled Chisel
- Tooth Chisel
- Drafting Chisel
- Pitching Tool
No doubt, you would like to know more about them. So, let us study them much more specifically.
Wood-handled Chisel
This is the basic type of chisel. Its handle can be made of wood or plastic. But in typical terminology, we call it a wood-handled chisel. Using its metal-shaped blade, you can easily carry out the task of cutting or carving stones.
IMOTECHOM 10-Pieces Woodworking Wood Chisel Set with Walnut Handle, Honing Guide, Sharpening Stone, Wooden Storage Case
All chisels are accurately pre-sharpened by machine. The blades that are made of chrome-vanadium will endure for years. And these chisels have walnut wooden handles. They are actually pretty comfortable for you to use. And they are sturdy as well. To maintain all the tools in perfect condition, you get a wooden box as well. Those who have bought this product have added positive reviews and ratings in favor of this. So, we think that this would be a perfect product for a masonry worker to make use of.
Tooth Chisel
This is another type of chisel. What is the use of a tooth chisel? Well. You can use it for fine dressing. It has a long shaft as well as a toothed cutting edge. And as usual, you need a hammer to strike with when you are using this kind of tool. The number of teeth on the cutting edge can be different. Normally, it can be from 3 to 6. As we told you, you can use it ultimately to finish off the work that you have done using other types of chisels. So, this is mainly for the finishing of your masonry work.
Kraft Tool BL415 Toothed Stone Mason’s Chisel, 2-3/4-Inch, Multi
As you may know by now, it is important for masonry workers to have chisels. And in terms of tooth chisels, we think that this is a good product that you can go for. This is a sturdy and durable product. Without any issue, you can make use of this for a long time. Due to this, we thought of recommending this to you. We hope that you would find this product so useful.
Drafting Chisel
This is another type of chisel that we are going to discuss. What do masons use a drafting chisel as a masonry tool? It is for cutting a border at the edge of a stone. And they come in different sizes. A masonry worker would surely need one. It is important when working in the field.
Mason Chisel With Hand Guard, 12 inches (30 cm) Heavy Duty Flat End Rock Concrete Mortar Stone Chisel for Demolishing Carving Scaling Breaking Hounding, Yellow
With regard to drafting chisels, we think that this would be a perfect tool for you to use. Its sharpened flat end is long-lasting and retentive since it is made of solid forged steel. And the shock-absorbent handle and hand shield of this piece of equipment can offer excellent protection from overstrikes and missed blows, allowing for simple and accurate cutting. Sturdiness, comfort, durability, and value for money are some of the features for which this product has received positive ratings on Amazon.
Pitching Tool
The pitching tool is also a type of chisel. Like all other chisels, this is also a simple hand tool. What is the use of this specific masonry tool? Well, you can prominently use it to get stones to the expected size. And you can use the pitching tool to remove waste material from stones prior to carving.
Bon Tool 11-201 Stone Pitching Chisel – 2″X 7″
We think that this pitching tool would be perfect for a professional like you. This is a durable and high-quality pitching tool. You would surely find this effective and efficient. Because of its high quality, we can assure its longevity. Those who have bought this have added favorable reviews and ratings on Amazon. “Does a great job and is very durable”, says one buyer. So, we think that this would be ideal for you.
Hammers
Hammers are very useful for many sectors in the construction industry. Basically, hammers are striking tools with which you can strike something hard. And there are many types of hammers for different sectors. However, our focus is on the types of hammers that are available mainly for masonry work.
- Wooden Hammer
- Iron Hammer
- Waller’s Hammer
- Club Hammer
- Scabbling Hammer
- Mash Hammer
- Spalling Hammer
Of course, you would like to know about them in detail. No worries! We will tell you.
Wooden Hammer
Stonemasons use wooden hammers to shape stones. Some call it a mallet. As the name suggests, its head is wooden and it is large. And you can use a wooden hammer to drive wooden chisels as well.
TEKTON 16 oz. Fiberglass Handle Rubber Mallet | 30603 , Black
This has a double-faced solid rubber head. That has the ability to deliver powerful but smooth strikes. And this has a pretty strong fiber-glass handle. That helps you grip the hammer properly and operate it well. Also, this would lessen the chances of the hammer slipping off your hands when you are operating it. Ease to use, easy to hold, durability, sturdiness, value for money and lightness are some features for which this hammer has received good ratings on Amazon.
Iron Hammer
Iron hammers have iron heads. Their handles can be wooden. Some call these dummies. Mainly, you can use them to carve stones.
Spec Ops – SPEC-M22CF Tools Framing Hammer, 22 oz, Rip Claw, Milled Face, Shock-Absorbing Grip, 3% Donated to Veterans Black/Tan
For optimum striking force, this hammer is ballistically balanced. And this has an MOA grip with shock absorption for precise accuracy and reduced sting. For quick nail driving, this has a magnetic nail driver as well. Also, this is compatible with SRS retention lanyards for added safety. And this has an improved angled nail drive thanks to a heat-treated, milled face design. This has received good ratings for factors like ergonomics, sturdiness, ease to hold, durability, lightness, and value for money.
Waller’s Hammer
The focal purpose of using a waller’s hammer is to remove spalls in stonemasonry work. Just like other hammers, this also has an iron head and wooden handle.
Club Hammer
Next in line is the club hammer. The foremost use of this hammer is that you can strike arrow-headed chisels using it. You can also use it for certain small-scale demolition work. Further, you can use it for driving masonry.
Alltrade 648332 2.5Lb Club Hammer with Fg Handle
Heavy-duty labor necessitates heavy-duty equipment. And this 2.5-pound club hammer would be perfect for the heavy-duty labor of a masonry worker. Its large head is constructed of heat-treated hardened steel, making it ideal for any project that needs a lot of striking power. This is perfect for punches, nails, chisels, and anything else that requires a strong strike. A comfy rubber sleeve keeps your hand from sliding while using this innovative shock-absorbing fiberglass grip. So, there is no doubt that this would be pretty useful for a masonry worker.
Scabbling Hammer
A scabbling hammer is a tool that you can use for removing irregular parts from the face of a stone. So, with the use of a scabbling hammer, stonemasons can easily get a smooth finishing.
Meister 2282200 Scabbling Pick 600 g Fiberglass 2K GS
This has a magnetic nail holder for your convenience. And this comes with a fiber-glass handle. That is comfortable and assists you in gripping this hammer firmly and steadily. We think that this would be a great one for a masonry worker to go for as one of the masonry tools.
Mash Hammer
Let us now take a look at the mash hammer. It has a wooden handle and a heavy metal face. To be precise, it has two striking faces as it is double-sided. You can use it primarily to strike stones or to chip away mortar. Also, you can use it to drive chisels into rough dressings of stones.
Bon Tool 11-177 Mashing Hammer – Bon 3 Lb Wood Handle
This mash hammer is a piece of equipment of high quality. It has a powerful striking surface. And it is sturdy and durable. You can operate it efficiently while gripping it using its firm and tight handle. Therefore, we think that this would be a good one for you to add to your set of masonry tools.
Spalling Hammer
This is a hammer that has a beveled surface for striking. You can use it for the rough dressing of stones. Further, you can also use it to break stones.
Bon RiverWorks 12912 27-334 6″ Single Face Spalling Hammer with 16″ Safety Grip Handle
This weighs 4 lbs. This is a perfect choice for any stonemason. You can break up stones and concrete using this hammer pretty efficiently. This is a professional-level tool. We hope that you would find this piece of equipment useful as one of your masonry tools.
Saws
Let us now consider saws. Similar to the previous two types of stonemasonry tools that we discussed, saws are also used in many sectors in the construction field. And there are many types of saws as well.
- Hand Saw
- Circular Saw
- Frame Saw
- Crosscut Saw
Let us move forward. We will tell you all about those types of saws in detail.
Hand Saw
Some call these panel saws. Prominently, hand saws are mainly in use in the industry of woodworking. But stonemasons also need hand saws as masonry tools. The blade of the hand saws consists of a series of sharp points.
Stonemasons can use a hand saw mainly to cut soft stones. It is a single-handed tool. So, you do not have to take much trouble when using a hand saw.
WilFiks 16” Pro Hand Saw, Perfect for Sawing, Trimming, Gardening, Pruning & Cutting Wood, Drywall, Plastic Pipes & More, Razor Sharp Blade, Comfortable Ergonomic Non-Slip Handle
No doubt, a masonry worker surely does need hand saws. This professional hand saw is ideal for cutting dovetails, miters, and tenons. Wood, plastic tubing, plywood, and wallboard all can be sliced using the saw. Many professionals would surely love it. And of course, there is no doubt that this would be immensely useful for a masonry worker as well. Its teeth that have been induction hardened last up to five times longer than regular teeth and provide smooth, crisp, and fast cuts. For further safety, the blade to handle assembly is extra fastened. Also, its anti-Slip Super Grip handle prevents slippage and increases comfort. It fits any hand size from tiny to extra-large and is meant to assist reduce cutting fatigue. The handle’s unique shape provides for a better cutting angle. So, we think that this would be a good one for you.
Circular Saw
The circular saw is the next type of saw we are going to look into. This is a power tool. And what it does is cutting a particular substance using its toothed blade that rotates.
Generally, you can use a circular saw to cut any material like metal, bricks, wood, or plastic. But in terms of masonry, you would mainly need a circular saw to cut stones, brick, and concrete.
The advantage of using a circular saw is that you are capable of getting accurate cuts using a circular saw. Just the same, it would give you a perfect and smooth finishing eventually. And you can get perfectly straight cuts.
But anyway, circular saws would leave burrs on the cut edge. So, you would have to use sandpaper to finish off your task.
DEWALT 7-1/4-Inch Circular Saw with Electric Brake, 15-Amp, Corded (DWE575SB) , Yellow
The DEWALT 7 1/4 circle saw is one of the lightest in its category (8.8 lbs.) When the corded circular saw’s electric brake is disengaged, the blade would be stopped. The circular saw’s 15 amp engine provides enough power for even the most demanding tasks. And this has a 57-degree beveling capacity with stops at 45 degrees and 22.5 degrees. Further, the depth of cut capacity of this piece of equipment is 2 9/16 inches. This is a hard and durable tool. So, we think that this would suit your needs as one of your masonry tools.
Frame Saw
The frame saw has its blade fixed to a rectangular frame. So, the blade is generally flexible. And gate or sash is the term we use for the rectangular frame. It is mainly for woodworking and stonemasonry that frame saws are widely in use. In stonemasonry, you can use a frame saw to cut stones.
OLSON SAW SF63510 Coping Saw Frame Deluxe Coping Frame/End Screw, Original
This is a tough, professional saw that allows you to tighten regular pin-end coping saw blades on both ends. Its blades may be rotated 360 degrees to saw in either a push or pull stroke. Also, this has a hard wooden handle. Value for money, ease of use, accuracy, and sturdiness are some key features for which this has received positive ratings and reviews on Amazon.
Cross-cut Saw
Yet again, it is prominently in woodworking and stonemasonry you would have to use cross-cut saws. As a masonry tool, stonemasons can use it for rough cutting.
The blade of the cross-cut saw is toothed. And there should be two people to use a cross-cut saw. Two people can easily operate a cross-cut hammer if you need to cut stones.
GreatNeck N2610 26 Inch 12 TPI Crosscut Saw, For Woodworking Hand Saw Set, Hand Saws for Trees, Crosscut Saw Manual, Hand Tools For Woodworking
Here, you want something that is both robust and capable of cutting through a variety of materials. This cross-cut hand saw is just perfect for you. Many operations may be accomplished with this tool. Whatever sort of material you are cutting, this one-man crosscut saw can handle it. This features 12 teeth per inch to make cutting chores easier. No doubt, these saws are suitable for rough and forceful cuts, and they are a great addition to any toolbox, specifically to your masonry tools.
Axes
Stonemasonry also requires equipment like axes. What sort of axes do stonemasons need? Mainly, stonemasons need pickaxes as one of their masonry tools. Some may call it a pick. Basically, a pickaxe is for prying. Its head is metal. And it is pointed. It has usually gotten a long wooden or a metal handle. A standard version has a pointed end on one side whereas the other end has a flat blade.
The agricultural field also requires axes on a vast scale. That is majorly for cutting trees and roots. Sometimes, they would use it as a digging tool. Even in mining, pickaxes are in use.
Nevertheless, in stonemasonry, stonemasons use pickaxes for the rough dressing of stones. Also, stonemasons may use pickaxes to split the stones in a quarry.
Estwing Geo/Paleo Rock Pick – 25″ Geological Tool with All Steel Construction & Vinyl Cushion Grip – GP-100,GP100,Blue
The is one of the most long-lasting and robust striking tools available on the market. For prying and lifting rocks, you can use the angled chisel end. You can break, chip, and crack open rocks and hard objects using the sharp tip. For heavy-duty rock work, this is the ideal tool. This consists of a comfortable, long-lasting vinyl grip for a secure grip in any situation. For features like value for money, durability, ease of use, sturdiness, and lightness, this has received positive ratings on Amazon.
Bevels
Bevels consist of two pieces of blade. And they are fixed in the center using a thumbscrew. These two pieces of the blade can open up to an angle. Thus, this tool is basically for setting out angles.
Crowbars
What are crowbars? This is a hand tool that has an iron edge that has small teeth. If we consider the purpose of using crowbars, it is mainly for the dressing of stones.
Spec Ops SPEC-D30PRY Tools 30″ Wrecking Crowbar, Pry Bar Ends with Teardrop Nail Puller, High-Carbon Steel, 3% Donated to Veterans, Black/Tan
This is designed to provide your demolition work the most shock and awe. For optimum control and minimal sting, this 30″ crowbar bar has a unique shock-absorbing harsh weather grip. You can notice the attention to detail that went into the creation of this instrument while using it for demolition, decking, renovation, or flooring. This crowbar has several nail pullers for accurate nail pulling and is built for optimum flexibility. Its long-lasting bar with many leverage points can offer exceptional prying force thanks to precision-honed, sharp beveled ends, strong striking surfaces, and sturdy steel structure. This wrecking bar has been drop tested from a height of 100 feet, exceeding MIL-SPEC requirements.
Claw Tools
Let us now consider the claw tool. This is a tool that you can use for the dressing of stones. And it would look more like a rake. So, it can even out the uneven parts of a stone surface.
An important thing that you have to keep in mind is that you have to make sure that all the teeth of the claw make contact with the stone. If not, there is a possibility for the teeth to break.
Stanley FMHT55010 FatMax Claw Bar, 12 in.
This has been heat-treated for durability and tempered for safety. Its claws with a flat striking face may be pushed beneath firmly lodged nails. And its beveled claws and polished flat surface allow for accurate penetration. And this has forged, high-carbon spring steel. It is a great aid for extreme strength and durability. “Fantastic tool”, says a buyer of this product.
Gauges
You need gauges on numerous occasions. And it is not merely for fieldwork that you need them. Even in your usual life, you would have to use gauges. And many fields also use gauges. Masonry is one of them.
Stonemasonry requires a gauge for dressing stones. And it is made of metal. Although the gauge is a simple basic tool, it is very useful in the industry.
Punches
As you would have felt by now, there are quite a lot of tools that you can use for the dressing of tools. And having that feeling is reasonable. Punches are also for the dressing of stones. But when it comes to a puncher, you have to strike it using a hammer.
So, although there are many tools for the dressing of stones, you can use the most relevant tool on each occasion considering the circumstance.
Grip 28 pc Heavy Duty Punch & Chisel Set
This is drop forged, heat-treated, and consists of chrome vanadium steel. This Grip punch and chisel set includes a 16-piece chrome vanadium punch and chisel set, five pin punches, five taper punches, three cold chisels, two center punches, and a chisel punch gauge. There is also a 12-piece high carbon steel set, a 6-piece cold chisel set, a 4-piece pin punch set, and a 2-piece center punch included. A roll-up vinyl storage pouch is also comings with this. Therefore, we suggest you expand your masonry tools by adding this product.
Plug and Feathers
Next in line are plug and feathers. To be precise, this toolset consists of three pieces. The three pieces are the metal wedge or plug and the two shims that can be called feathers. The feathers are wide at one end and curved at the other. After you bore stones with a jumper for some requirements, you can use this set of tools for cutting them.
10 Packs of Heavy Duty Wedge and Feather Shims, Abuff 5/8 Inch Plug Shim and Wedge Concrete Rock Stone Splitter Hand Tools
Using this tool, you can split the stone, rock, granite, marble, concrete by hand. Before use, you need to make sure that you take the necessary protective measures; when the stone is about to split, keep alert. This is a high-quality tool. And this is pretty durable and sturdy. We think that you would be satisfied with this and add it to your masonry tools.
Gads
What are gads? This is a wedge-shaped tool. You can use it for splitting stones. It is small and handy. So it is easy to use. And it is usually made of steel.
Drag
Next, we are going to take drags into consideration. The main purpose of using a drag is to level a stone surface. Of course, you have to level stones on numerous occasions. And if you do not have a proper tool for that, you would find it pretty hard and tough. But if a stonemason has a drag in his or her set of masonry tools, it would become an easy task invariably. Drags consist of toothed blades. As the name says, all you have to do is to position this tool on a stone surface and drag it. Quite easily, you would be able to level very fast.
With this description, we have come to the end of the lengthy briefing of masonry tools. But one important topic still remains undiscussed. That is about your safety when you are working with masonry tools. And there are specific safety gears as well.
Safety with Masonry Work
Masonry is not a very easy profession, to be frank. You might sometimes meet with accidents on the field. So, you have to be careful when you are working. You would not know when and where an accident would happen. And you do not know if an accident would happen or not. But as a matter of fact, you can reduce the risk of brutal injuries if you use safety gear or rather Personal Protective Equipment or PPE while working. What sort of safety gear do you need?
- Protective Eyewear
- Hard Hats
- Face Masks
- Work Gloves
- Boots
This is something more that you have to know about all these. Do not stop reading. Spend some more time and read the rest as well.
Protective Eyewear
Masonry workers need protective eyewear or safety glasses when they are working on the field. There are lots and lots of possibilities that small fragments of various materials can hit your eyes. It can be cement or concrete. Also, it can be small parts of stones. It has a risk, right?
So, the best is to follow safety procedures. As for your eyes, the best thing you can do is wearing protective eyewear.
Protective eyewear does not cost much. But if you get injured, that would be a serious problem. Yet, if you use safety glasses, you can minimize the damage that can happen. Maybe you can prevent such a danger.
DEWALT DPG82-11C Concealer Clear Anti-Fog Dual Mold Safety Goggle, Clear Lens, 1 Pair
As we told you, it is of immense importance to protect yourself from any hazard that can occur when you are engaging in the profession. The DEWALT DPG82 Concealer is a safety goggle with a lot of features that provides excellent protection and comfort. Its soft, dual-injected rubber seal adapts to the face for excellent dust and debris protection. The anti-fog hard coat lens helps to keep your vision clear by preventing fogging and scratching. An adjustable, elastic head strap and ventilation slots are also included. The DPG82 fulfills the Z87.1 standard for impact resistance and offers UV protection of 99 percent.
Hard Hats
This is a type of helmet. Industrially, this is widely in use and masonry workers also must use them.
The main purpose of using a hard hat is to avoid the danger of something falling from above. All types of masonry workers have this risk. So, it is advisable to use a hard hat when working.
How does it save your head? Well, it has gotten a suspension band inside the helmet. So, if a hard object strikes with the hard hat, that impact would be suspended by the suspension band. And it would protect your skull up to an extent. Yes, it is up to a certain extent. There is still a possibility for some damage to happen.
Lift Safety HDF-15NG DAX Hard Hat, Natural
The DAX hard helmet is a full-brim, fiber-reinforced resin hard hat with a 6-point suspension system for enhanced comfort and impact resistance. It has an oversized ratcheting fitting dial and a unique Clarino synthetic leather comfort dome that allows for simple adjustment even when wearing gloves. Lightness, comfort, and durability are some factors for which this has received good ratings on Amazon. Hence, this would be an ideal one for you to add to your masonry tools.
Face Masks
As we discussed before, certain objects and pieces of cement, concrete, and stones can hit you on the field after being shattered by some equipment. They might hit your eyes, face, or body.
And this is to protect your face. If you wear an industrial face mask, you can avoid the damage that is possible to happen.
Amston P95 Safety Masks (10 count), CDC and NIOSH Certified Disposable Particulate Respirators
This mask’s lightweight multi-layer construction protects your lungs from airborne pollutants while also allowing for a comfortable fit. Minimal breathing resistance and simple communication are also some of its features.. Above and below the ears, there are latex-free straps that protect the mask from sliding and pinching. Other PPE such as safety goggles, glasses, ear muffs, coveralls, and hard helmets are also compatible with the design. So, this is something that we can recommend to add to your masonry tools.
Work Gloves
It is advisable to use work gloves for masonry workers. You would call them masonry gloves or concrete gloves as well. However, this is to protect your arms as well as to provide you with a very good and firm grip on the equipment that you use.
Most of the time, masonry workers use nitrile gloves or leather gloves. You can grip any tool properly using them. Further, you would be able to protect your hands from most of the chemicals that you may sometimes have to make contact with. And this is an ideal choice for abrasive concrete work too.
Mechanix Wear LFF-75-010 : DuraHide FastFit Leather Work Gloves (Large, Brown/Black)
As you labor throughout the day, the flexible thermoplastic rubber of these gloves can protect your wrists and provide a comfortable fit. And its material is breathable and adapts to the backs of your hands, keeping you cool and comfortable as you work. Further, this consists of genuine leather which is extremely resistant to abrasion, allowing you to work with confidence. Its anatomically designed Thermoplastic Rubber (TPR) impact protection protects the back of your hand from the top of your wrist to the tips of your fingers as well. Considering all these factors, we suggest you add this to your set of masonry tools.
Boots
Needless to say, you definitely must use work boots when you are doing cement or concrete work. They usually consist of a metal toe. However, this is an important PPE in most construction fields.
EVER BOOTS”Tank” Men’s Soft Toe Oil Full Grain Leather Work Boots Construction Rubber Sole
The PU insole of these boots gives optimum comfort to your feet and allows you to stand for lengthy periods of time. Speed hooks make it simple to put on and remove. When ascending stairs or ladders, its steel shank relieves pressure. The boot is easy to put on and take off thanks to the speed-hooks. The boot’s oil resistance improves its durability and avoids oil deterioration. Further, long-lasting support is provided by the rubber soles, which will keep you running all day. Those who have purchased these boots are so impressed with them and they have added positive reviews and ratings on Amazon. So, you can add these to your masonry tools.
The Last Word
Up to now, we have shared a great deal of information about many masonry tools. Yes, we surely told you about all of them. Just like masonry, there are many specialized tools in fieldwork such as carpentry, plumbing, electrician work, and lawn care. And remember, safety is vital whatever the field is. Our final advice is, use masonry tools wisely and productively. Happy masonry!
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