Repointing side wall

danrv

stuart45 said:

Spray bottles are more of a token gesture in most cases. It depends on the type of brick or stone and how damp the wall is already, but I usually use a hose pipe with the mister to soak it for about 10 mins while the mix is on. Then let the surface dry.

Good idea about the hose. Have invested in one which I needed anyway.
I can now keep the mortar damp for longer.

stuart45

Well worth investing in the right tools, as you are saving yourself a few grand by DIY. I used to dislike doing pointing jobs when I was younger, but don't mind them so much now.

danrv

Made some progress on the perps. Can be a challenge stopping any mortar from getting on the brick either side of the gap. Textured surface doesn’t help either. 
Probably not going to get it as neat as the other walls but quite pleased so far.

stuart45

Starting to look good. Not the easiest bricks to work with.

danrv

Done some horizontals, working down from shoulder height. Some of the wall is in direct sunlight late morning into afternoon so regular hose spray is needed to prevent drying out too quickly. 
I find gauging just the right amount of dampening is important as too much effects the mortar finish.

stuart45

Looks like you have kept the brickwork nice and clean, which is really important. All the time you are gaining more experience with the amount of damping down and when to strike the joints etc. I'm repointing a stone barn at the moment and rebuilding a few bits of it.

danrv

Thanks.
The bucket handle shape of the Ragni tool is quite deep.
https://www.homebase.co.uk/ragni-1-2in-x-5-8in-brick-jointer_p272840
The resulting curve in the mortar is a bit more recessed than the rest of the walls which are very shallow, almost flush. I thought they were all a semicircle profile.
Not sure what technique or tool was used before.

stuart45

The original tool was probably an old metal bucket handle. Back in the 70's most of us used them as old metal buckets were always lying around. However as plastic buckets are now the norm tool firms produce more of these jointers. 
I prefer Rose trowels and jointers and they come in a variety of sizes. If the jointer is going in too deep you can use a wider model.
https://www.speedcrete.co.uk/bricklayers-tools/brick-jointers.html?p=2
You can try turning the jointer slightly at an angle as you run the bed joints in.

danrv

stuart45 said:

The original tool was probably an old metal bucket handle. Back in the 70's most of us used them as old metal buckets were always lying around. However as plastic buckets are now the norm tool firms produce more of these jointers. 
I prefer Rose trowels and jointers and they come in a variety of sizes. If the jointer is going in too deep you can use a wider model.
https://www.speedcrete.co.uk/bricklayers-tools/brick-jointers.html?p=2
You can try turning the jointer slightly at an angle as you run the bed joints in.

That’s great thanks. Plenty to choose from there. 
I thought that just buying a jointing tool roughly the same width as the beds was all there was to it. 
Will try turning it slightly. 

danrv

Good idea about turning the tool slightly. Works well.
The fresh mortar is close to the colour or the the raked out beds. On the other walls the original is a bit darker and more grey.
I’ve heard about matching old and new and maybe the original has changed over the years from the sand colour on this wall.
Can see in the lower pic between what I’ve filled and the old.