Becoming A Brickie

Crosby

1:3 for practice...I work for a restoration company and when it comes to restoring old structures(built with a lime mix) you have to match whats there, under analysis the majority of historic lime mortars are not commonly found to be 1:3 but typically vary between 1:1½ and 1:2..Very rich!!! for practice purposes 1:3 is ideal it won't harden to the point you can't re temper the next day... keep in mind you want to store it in a garage or a shady area..

NJ Brickie

X2 for me. This is how I learned. Lime/sand mix.

CanCritter

k ....A. Installer=shoemaker...period

as for me went through a local college with gov sppt for the 2-3mnths a year l was in school...as most learned with lime and sand...build..tear down..build tear down to point you were wearing little holes in yer fingers...
class started out with 27 guys...first 5 days instructor had us do nothing but roll mud for 5 days straight !
15 guys droped out that week....this was his way of weeding out the chaff..at end of 4 years were only 7 left..all passed

in the end moneys are good if your working and a good mason is always working...winters bite but if you do well summers can avoid a good part of winter or plan for fireplaces ect to keep ya inside..in the end you learn alot about other trades as well
My grandmother said get a trade then if you want you can go out and do something else if ya want and if you dont like it you always have yer trade to fall back on..words from the wise..
good luck in your endevors

amcoplumbing

Now that that's solved. How do I get my wife to quit bitching about the spec mix covered bath tub?

Crosby

lol,,that falls into WAF (wife acceptance factor) thats a tough one wish i could help!!!

dakzaag

Start mixing your mud in a Jackson Wheelbarrow instead.

__________________
D K & Sons
The maintenance schedule for brick
1. Stand back and say "man that looks nice!"
2. Repeat as often as needed.

4th generation

Yeah and the wheelbarrow's a lot easier to move around..... trust me

__________________
4th gen

Chips Ahoy!

im kind of in the same situation as you are in hibernia...i currently work for a small masonry company as a laborer/driver and i really want to learn this trade...ive learned alot this past year just from watching how the masons do there job...i dont want to loose this job because i feel like i work for a company that i can further inhance my skills..but at the same time, my boss dosent like to pay every week and sometimes i go almost a month without receiving my fair pay. i constantly have to ask him for money which is also a little embarressing for me. as of right now, we havent worked since nov. cause of the temperture, and he still owes me a couple of days from november.

sorry for threadjacking but would anyone here like to offer some kind of advice for me aswell?

lukachuki

Find a different crew? Maybe commercial as they are not as affected by the slowdown.

__________________
"The problem with internet quotes is, you never know if they are authentic." -Abraham Lincoln-

Less with the jaw more with the paw!

insane

X 2 If he can't pay you on a regular schedule their is something seriously wrong. I would definitely start looking for another job.
Employees always get paid first every week.


Tim

Chips Ahoy!

^^^true, its just the thought of being the new guy again that bugs me.

id also like to work for people that would enjoy teaching me the skills to become a good mason. most of the guys i work with feel threatened or something i dont know...i keep telling them i dont want to learn to steal there job, i want to learn so i can go to a better company

cdkyle

Unfortunately in today's business climate, there is no time or money to teach a guy on the job. Either you seek the training on your own time, or be comfortable in your current position. Your employer cannot afford for you to learn on the job, nor should he be expected to.