Replies

1. 
   fast3 | Jul 08, 1999 06:55am | #2

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   Chris,
   When you cut a 2 or 3" furrow in the mixed mortar with a trowel the edges should only sag closed slightly. Her in Md., Sacrete brand mortar mix doesn't work badly for small projects. It behaves a little unusually though in that about 5 min. after mixing to an appropiate consistency the mix becomes prematurely stiff. After carefull retempering in normal weather conditions it will usually last at least 1 hr. without retempering. Different brands are probably different consistencies in other parts of the country due to different sands used. Be careful with the water, it's hard to remove from mixed mortar. Good Luck, Bob

2. 
   Guest_ | Jul 08, 1999 10:32am | #3

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   Repeated retempering the mortar with additional water should be avoided. Instead, let it slack in the mixer, wheel barrow, bucket for the intial set, then retemper--just once--if needed. Adding more water through retemper weakens the mix.

3. 
   Jon_Marden | Jul 08, 1999 11:21am | #4

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   Chris-
   In California there is a brand called Quik-Crete, Mason Mix(in 80lb bags in most yards, 60lbs in Home Depot type stores. Of all the ready-mix brands , this is by far the best product out there. In terms of consistency, depending on the temperature, approximately 1/2-3/4 of a five gallon bucket of water. For small jobs this is the ideal way to go, there's no sand piles left over, cement or lime to worry about tarping, and it's moderately priced at 6-8 dollars per bag.
   Good Luck.
   Jon

4. 
   Guest_ | Jul 11, 1999 07:11pm | #5

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   What exactly is retempering?

   blue

5. 
   Guest_ | Jul 11, 1999 07:11pm | #6

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   Hi all,

   I'm laying a brick planter (my first brick laying
   job) and I am confused (due to lack of
   information) about the proper consistency of
   mortar for laying the brick. Any tips that people
   have as to how I know when I have my mortar /
   water mix correct would be a big help. I should
   note that I am using premix (just add water)
   mortar mix.

   Thanks in advance,
   Chris R

1. 
   Guest_ | Jul 08, 1999 04:10am | #1

   *I'm not a brick layer, but have boogered my share of brick/block, and will say that it is a skilled task. Mixing mortar without the aid of a mechanical mixer is tough. Add water sparingly as you mix it.Mortar consistency: Partially depends on the weather - on hot days it stiffens up quickly. Also depends on how damp the brick/block is. Keep the units covered is a significant amount of rain is expected.Mortar too dry - and it won't stick at all, and/or it is difficult to settle your brick/block down on the bed joints to the correct height.Mortar too wet - slides off the brick/block as you try to place the unit. Squeezes out of the bed joints too easily and your brick/block ends up too low.Suggestions: Go watch some masons and look closely at the consistency of their mortar. Notice how it plops on their mortar boards/pans. Notice how they "butter" the units just prior to laying the units. Be sure to use a level. A string line too if your project is anything other than very small. Any sized masonry project needs appropriately sized footers - or else it *will* crack.PS: 1) I never had any luck with the premixed mortar. 2) if you find yourself playing in the mud (handling the mortar) your are now, officially, a member of the booger club!http://www.marshalltown.com/mortar4.html