Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. 224 Section 4 Techniques Cutting Brick with a Trowel A brick trowel can be used to cut softer brick, but is not recommended for most cutting, especially hard brick. Even though it is a common practice to cut brick with a trowel when a brick set chisel and hammer are not within reach, a trowel is not intended as a brick cutting tool. When cutting soft brick with a trowel, hold the brick in one hand, keeping the fingers away from the side where the cutting is to be done. Hold the brick down and away from the face. Strike the brick with the edge of the trowel using a quick, sharp blow at the spot where the cut (break) is intended. See Figure 12-11. Cutting Brick with a Masonry Saw When an exact, smooth cut is required, a power masonry saw is used. This process is slower but pro- duces the highest quality cut. Be sure you have had instruction in the proper use of the masonry saw before using it. Move the saw slowly through the cut. Quarter closure Half or bat Three-quarter closure King closure Queen closure Split Goodheart-Willcox Publisher Figure 12-10. Names used to describe cut or broken brick pieces. A Author’s images taken at Job Corps, Denison, IA Figure 12-11. The mason is holding brick securely just prior to it being struck. Then, the brick has been struck and is cut into two separate pieces. B