If I Hear "cementing" One More Time ...

dirt diggler

i don't always use proper terminology - and im pretty forgiving when talking with a HO and they start mixing up terms and using misnomers


but for some reason - it irritates me when i hear anyone say "cement" when they mean ANY cement-based material

for example:

"are you going to cement the brick on tomorrow?" (they mean mortar)
"how much cement are you going to need? (they mean concrete)
"i moved my car so the cement truck could pull in" (concrete truck)
"is the cement still wet?" (again, concrete)
"you've got cement on your face" (hmm ... hope this was concrete)
"are we cementing tomorrow still?" (you get the idea)
"I thought you told me we were cementing today" (oh did I now??)

Tom R

Cementics, - - err, - - I mean, - - semantics . . .

dirt diggler

lol


hey you know - I'd appreciate that Tom Rism alot better if I knew what the hell "semantics" means

HAHAH

dougchips

Dirt, what do you call the machine that mixes water and the white or gray powder?

Is it a cement mixer?

A concrete mixer?

A mortor mixer?

and don't answer it's called Jesus with a 5 gallon bucket and a piece of wood!

__________________
To get the best replacement windows, or sun rooms contact the replacement windows experts at FHI Vinyl Window Company.

dirt diggler

well ... i call them concrete mixers ... but have heard of them as cement mixers as well

mortar mixers are not the same machine though (i.e, the paddles)



but --- a concrete deck is not a "cement deck"

Tscarborough

You think it dirves you crazy, try selling cement retail.

Cutomer lady: I need a bag of cement, please.

Me: Sure, what kind?

Customer Lady: I don't know, aren't you supposed to know?

Me: Yes Ma-am I know exactly what type of cement I need, but do not have a clue what you need.

(As the people who DO KNOW WHAT THEY NEED stack up at the counter)

Customer Lady: Well, we are building a BBQ pit. How much will I need?

Me: Ma'am, let me help some of these guys real quick and we will figure out what you need.

(Write 6 or 7 orders for contractors in as many minutes)

Me: OK, are you laying brick, block, fake stone, what?

Customer lady: I don't know, my husband just told me to get cement. He said you would know what I need.

Me: Call him please, while I take care of these gentlemen

(Write 4 or 5 more orders while she calls him)

Customer man on phone: I am building an outdoor BBQ, I have it built, I just need the cement for the brick on the inside and the grout for the stone on the outside.

Me: You need refactory cement for the firebrick in the pit?

Customer man on phone: What are firebrick.

Me: Please hold.

(write 4 or 5 more orders)

Me: Sorry about that, Sir, you need what now?

Customer man on phone: I need the cement for the brick inside the pit and grout for the stone on the exterior.

Me: Do you have a pile of sand on site?

Customer man on phone: Yes.

Me: OK, white or gray for the mortar?

Customer man on phone: Gray

Me: How much do you need?

Customer man on phone: 4 or 5 bags should do it.

Me: Ok, I guess.

(I write up the Lady for 5 bags of gray masonry cement and 1 gallon of refactory cement)

Me: Ma'am, there is no return on bag goods. Once you leave the yard, it is yours. Ok?

Customer lady: Sure, sure, thank you.

The next day:

Customer lady: Sir, this cement I got yesterday is the wrong stuff.

Me: It is! How can that be!

Customer lady: Well, my mason told me we need mortar mix, and he doesn't know what this refactory cement is.

Me: Do you remember what I told you yesterday about our return policy on bag goods?

Customer lady: Well, the Home Depot would take it back

Me: This ain't the Home Depot.

Tscarborough

From another board, posted tonight:

"I want a cement slab 40" X 40" in front of my workshop what do I need and what should the temperature outside be. I have plain cement and sand seperate can I use them. What will the cost be. Thank you."

Tom R

Good story, - - but while I got you here, - - how many bags of cement do I need for a medium slab?? . . .

wackman

That's pretty F-ing funny, and I bet it's very true...

Tscarborough

Not only is it true, it is daily when I am in the office.

6stringmason

Lol!

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920-680-3195
Visit our website @
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sonny

Myself a Cement Finisher. But really - who gives a poop? Cement


Concrete ? Sounds like you need to get some & more often

if little things like this pain you.

Don't sweat the small stuff & remember it's all small stuff!

MKamis

This post will remain cemented in my mind...

Tom R

To get us back for such trivialities must be why a mason came over to the carpentry section and asked a technical question on 'reformicaing' countertops . . .

I will say if it was even a word at least he spelled it right . . .

Tscarborough

Well, Sonny, here is a partial list of cements that I sell. It is not a small thing when you are trying to get the right one and do not know what you need.

Portland, Type I (white or gray), II or III, plus H
Masonry, Type N (white or gray) or S
Masons mix (Type I portland/Type S lime mix)(white or gray)
Mortar mix, Type S (white or gray)
Mortar mix, glass block
Hydraulic cement (fast setting)
Refactory cement
stucco mixes (at least 10 different types)
Thinset (white or gray)
sand mix
non shrink grout
and various other proprietary mixes for specific uses.

sonny

My post was meant for Mr. Diggler.

Your situation is a whole nother ballgame.

POOLMANinCT

dirt if they had the expertise youd be out of a job

__________________
......Less with the jaw & More with the paw.....

dirt diggler

Ugh ... even a concrete finisher called it cement



sheesh

Mater

Them: Hey spackle guy, when are you gonna spackle the room?

Me: Um, I'm not a spackler, just a finisher.

Them: Well, whatever, you put that white stuff on the walls.

OR

As I walk into a store for lunch break with crusty mud all over:

Them: Hey, where are you painting today?

Me: I'm not, I'm a finisher.

Them: Oh, but do you paint too?

WNYcarpenter

There's a hundred colloquialisms that are irritating...vinyl/linoleum, drywall/sheetrock/wallboard...hot mud/durabond....felt/tar paper...you know what the person means in most cases....Just imagine what an auto mechanic goes through!

tscarborough...we have two distributers here, one electrical, one plumbing who have signs that read something like, "this store is for contractors, they are served first", I believe one actually has a sign stating contractors only! There's nothing more annoying than getting to the lumber yard during your lunch break to be behind the person driving the Mercedes asking how to fix a squeaking door hinge!......wait the guy buying lottery tickets at the convenient store at 6:30 AM!!!