Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Chapter 12 Laying Brick 223 Cutting Brick with a Brick Hammer A brick hammer is the tool used most often by masons to cut brick. The recommended procedure is to hold the brick in one hand, keeping the fingers away from the side where cutting takes place. With the other hand, strike the brick with light blows. The blows are struck with the blade edge of the brick hammer along the line where the cut is planned. Turn the brick over to the adjacent edge and continue the cut along that side. Repeat the process until all sides have been scored. Then strike the face of the brick with a sharp blow with the hammer. The brick should break along the scored lines. This procedure produces a rough cut but is acceptable for applications where the cut edge is hidden by mortar. Cutting Brick with a Brick Set Chisel When a more accurate, straight cut is needed, a brick set chisel is used. First, mark the brick with a pencil or other marking device where the cut is to be made. Place the brick on a soft surface such as soil or board. Hold the chisel of the brick set vertically with the flat side of the blade facing the direction of the finished cut. Strike the brick set sharply with the brick ham- mer. The resulting cut should be relatively smooth and should not require additional chipping before use in the wall. 12.1.4 Using Both Hands at Once Learn to use both hands at the same time when lay- ing brick. For example, if you are right-handed, pick up the brick with your left hand and load the trowel with the right when laying a veneer facing. Both hands should be used to pick up bricks and stack them on the finished back wythe of a solid 8″ wall. If the bricks are stacked before any mortar is spread, less bending and reaching is necessary. Using both hands at the same time increases efficiency and reduces fatigue. 12.1.5 Forming a Head Joint Mortar for a head joint should be applied to the brick before it is placed on the mortar bed. The first brick is placed on the mortar bed with no mortar on it. Mortar for the head joint is applied to each brick thereafter using a swiping or throwing action across the end of the brick. This motion attaches the mortar to the brick and forms the mortar into a wedge shape. See Figure 12-9. The brick is then pressed into place, squeezing out some of the mortar. Getting just the right amount of mortar on the brick takes practice. 12.1.6 Cutting Brick Most bricklaying jobs require some brick to be cut to size for a particular application. Various names are used to describe cut or broken brick pieces, Figure 12-10. Brick can be cut using a brick hammer, brick set chisel, trowel, or masonry saw. Trade Tip The application of mortar on a masonry unit with a trowel is referred to as buttering. Safety Note When performing any cutting procedure, be sure to wear safety glasses. When using a masonry saw, also wear ear protection. If the saw is set up for wet sawing, wear rubber gloves. Author’s image taken at Job Corps, Denison, IA Figure 12-8. The proper way to hold a brick when laying to the line. Author’s image taken at Job Corps, Denison, IA Figure 12-9. Applying mortar to a brick to form a head joint.