Which pointing style to use?

Merlin5 · 7 Aug 2020

Hi guys.
I've got a question about pointing as I've never done it. I've watched a couple of videos and out of recessed pointing and bucket handle pointing, I think bucket handle looks a bit easier and looks very nice. I won't bother with weatherstruck as it looks more difficult.

Would you say bucket handle is easier and do you recommend I buy a bucket handle brick jointer iron, or do recessed and buy a tuck pointer?

And to rake out very old and hard mortar, are those chariot rakers with two wheels with a nail good enough for the job or will I need to use my chisel and hammer?

stuart45 · 7 Aug 2020

Use a plugging chisel. Bucket handle will probably be better than recessed.

Merlin5 · 7 Aug 2020

stuart45 said:
Use a plugging chisel. Bucket handle will probably be better than recessed.

Ah, a plugging chisel. I bought a half inch cold chisel yesterday, should do the job yes?
I also bought a plastering trowel but am using it as a float for holding mortar and holding against the wall to reduce excess falling everywhere.

So bucket handle pointing it is. I'll buy a brick jointer iron. Shall I get one with 5/8" one end and 1/2" the other?

^woody^ · 7 Aug 2020

HALF ROUND.

Merlin5 · 7 Aug 2020

^woody^ said:
HALF ROUND.

Yeah great. I'm a beginner, keep that in mind. How about trying to answer my question?

stuart45 · 7 Aug 2020

I find Rose jointers and trowels the best, although you probably want something cheaper.
https://www.speedcrete.co.uk/convex-jointers.html

Merlin5 · 7 Aug 2020

stuart45 said:
I find Rose jointers and trowels the best, although you probably want something cheaper.
https://www.speedcrete.co.uk/convex-jointers.html

I was thinking of this one? https://www.toolstation.com/marshalltown-brick-jointer/p23004

stuart45 · 7 Aug 2020

That one will do the job. Even cheap ones work, but you find that they won't pick up mortar very well to fill in any spider holes.
Have a look at these.
https://www.speedcrete.co.uk/half-round-sled-20x5-8-wooden-handle.html
Not suggesting you need to get one, but are popular in the USA for bed joints. Used properly they can form really straight lines.

23vc · 7 Aug 2020

What does the rest of the wall/surrounding walls look like? I reckon fairly flush weather struck looks great on old/reclaimed bricks, not that much harder than bucket handled

stuart45 · 7 Aug 2020

Or a weeping joint.https://www.bing.com/images/search?...50DF58&selectedIndex=9&FORM=IRPRST&ajaxhist=0

Merlin5 · 7 Aug 2020

23vc said:
What does the rest of the wall/surrounding walls look like? I reckon fairly flush weather struck looks great on old/reclaimed bricks, not that much harder than bucket handled

Actually, I've taken a look at the front of my house and most of it has weatherstruck.

The wall I was thinking about repointing though is a dwarf wall that I paid some amateur to do for me many moons ago, like in the 1980s. He made a mess of the pointing on my side of the wall but did it ok on the pavement side so I was thinking about redoing my side.

However, the bricks are really looking dirty and badly discoloured now and I'm not even sure his brick laying is particularly even. Would you bother to repoint it or smash it down and build a new wall? That said, I'm not sure I can build a wall so it would be easier just to repoint. Any good way I can get the bricks looking fresh? I've pressure washed the wall before but it never really improved it much.

stuart45 · 7 Aug 2020

The joints at the back were not jointed up at all. You might find that you loosen up some of the brickwork when you start knocking the joints out.

23vc · 7 Aug 2020

Why the hell would you build a garden wall for someone and not joint up on the inside?!
Yeah I bet it’s rock solid so an angle grinder job to rake back

Merlin5 · 7 Aug 2020

Yeah, I was thinking that too. Hammer and chisel would take a month of Sundays.

^woody^ · 7 Aug 2020

Merlin5 said:
How about trying to answer my question

Try Ligh Ten Up. No trowel required.

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Which pointing style to use?

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