Pointing Gun / Mixing Paddle

BertieUK

I wish to purchase a pointing gun / mixing paddle, to point the outside brickwork of my bungalow. About 25 sqm in total.

In the market place there are numerous makes and models to choose from, many of the stock pictures look the same, with variables, and all with various price tags.

I would like it to be made of a strong material.

Could someone share with me their experiences please.

Regards

BobUK

micmac22

mortar gun
http://www.screwfix.com/p/roughneck-brick-mortar-gun/67965#
i used this to re point a few driveways that have slabs laid down very happy with it alot quicker and clean if you wipe as you go, you will have to use a runnier mix when using a gun to point as it squeezes out the water from the mix, also only mix a small amount at a time for your cleaned out area or your mix will start to dry before you get to use it and it wont pump out of the gun.
mixing paddle
pick one for cement have a look on above site(large silver ones) ,just make sure if your using a 10mm chuck (most old electric drills) or 13mm chuck for the spindle size.
one thing i will say anything over a graden wall i leave it to a qualified builder if you get the mix wrong you could end up causing more of a problem i long run, eg incorrect mortar use, not adding or adding lime, what type of sand used originally.

BertieUK

micmac22 thanks for your input. I will certainly follow all of your suggestions. I will take the old mortar that I have removed to our local builders yard to obtain the correct sand etc for the mix. Also I will do several small mixes, samples in other words, to try to blend up to the original mortar.

I can see your point that under pressure the mix will push out the water fluid, if too much pressure was applied, I will have to get the correct consistancy first then go on from there.

Kind regards

BobUK

cyclonebri1

BertieUK wrote: »

micmac22 thanks for your input. I will certainly follow all of your suggestions. I will take the old mortar that I have removed to our local builders yard to obtain the correct sand etc for the mix. Also I will do several small mixes, samples in other words, to try to blend up to the original mortar.

I can see your point that under pressure the mix will push out the water fluid, if too much pressure was applied, I will have to get the correct consistancy first then go on from there.

Kind regards

BobUK

Do that and they will laugh at you, yellow brick yellow sands, red brick red sand simples, but even a year later the mortar will be " blending".

Mortar guns do not push out anything, they simply fill cavities, bit like a dentist, :rotfl:

BertieUK

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

Do that and they will laugh at you, yellow brick yellow sands, red brick red sand simples, but even a year later the mortar will be " blending".

Mortar guns do not push out anything, they simply fill cavities, bit like a dentist, :rotfl:

Thanks for your input but it does not tell me very much at all, sorry.

regards

BobUK

cyclonebri1

BertieUK wrote: »

Thanks for your input but it does not tell me very much at all, sorry.

regards

BobUK

What I was saying is that there isn't a cat in hells chance of getting the colour match right, and the average Joe at the builders merchant hasn't a clue.

As a basic rule use red sand for red bricks etc
If it looks very light add a little lime to a yellow sand mortar.

I personally have never had a problem with mortar going off in the gun, it's effectively sealed when in there and will last a few hours without any setting, don't worry about that aspect.

If you use a fluid motion along the joints and use the feel of the gun, ie, the pressure on you hand remains constant, then you have no fear of causing any damage.

And finally remember, the purpose of any mortar is to keep the bricks apart, not together so use as stiff a mix as you can comfortably get throufg the gun.

BertieUK

cyclonebri1 Thanks for your input. We have red bricks, so what you are saying is to use red sand. I will do a test-mix and see how the finished colour matches the original until it looks as good a match as possible.

It will be trial and error for me at first but I have the patience to experiment and to keep an exact record of the small test mixes. I think that the mix is the most important aspect of this exercise, being consistant with everything.

I do appretiate help from this Forum and will take in all points.

Regards

BobUK