Masonry Magazine February 2001 Page. 48
masonry
news
Join ASTM Now and Avoid the Recount
The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) held its business meetings in Orlando, FL in early December. The ASTM committees meet semi-annually concerning almost every type of material available. Committees C-12 on Mortars for Unit Masonry and C-15 on Manufactured Masonry Units are the two committees that write the over fifty standards that directly affect masonry construction.
ASTM C 90 (the Standard Specification for Loadbearing Concrete Masonry Units) allows for up to five percent of a block shipment to be chipped or broken. On the next ASTM ballot, there will be a ballot item that suggests that only three percent of the block shipment can be damaged. This ballot will be met with fierce opposition from the many concrete block manufacturers on the committee, therefore contractor participation is needed in order to facilitate this change. ASTM membership is open to the public, however there are very few contractors represented. Most of these committees consist of materials producers, engineers and professors. Contractor membership is needed to pass this ballot. Membership is $65 per year and includes voting privileges on both main and subcommittee ballots. For information on ASTM Standards and membership, contact Rashod Johnson at (800) 536-2225 or via email at rjohnson@masonryshowcase.com.
Fastest Trowel on the Block
The 2001 Fastest Trowel on the Block Competition will be held Friday, February 23 in Orlando, Florida. Hosted by the Mason Contractors Association of America and sponsored by Spec Mix, Inc., this competition will be the only opportunity for journeymen from around the county to compete on a national level.
Held in conjunction with the Masonry Showcase, a 2-day 40,000 square foot exhibition with an extensive array of educational sessions for the masonry industry, the Fastest Trowel Competition places a spot light on the top masons from around the country. Experienced mason artists will be compèting to lay the most block with the most accuracy in a singular 20 minute heat. 16 of the country's fastest journeymen, many contestants already boasting awards from regional competitions, will compete at the Orange County Convention Center at 4:30 PM.
"This year, without a doubt, the Fastest Trowel Competition will be noticeably different and greatly improved. As the only national journeymen level competition offered this year, the MCAA is fortunate enough to have the incredible support of both contractor members and dedicated industry suppliers," comments Mike Adelizzi, MCAA Executive Director.
Awards for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners will be in excess of $15,000 in cash and prizes. For more information call the MCAA at 800-536-2225 or 630-705-4200.
HOME
GROWNS
Homegrown Tools features innovative tools and ideas adapted by contractors from around the country. This column does not accept tools or ideas that are for sale by a manufacturer. The only ideas or tools published will be "homegrown." We encourage readers to submit their own "Homegrown Tools" to the editor of Masonry Magazine at 1910 S. Highland Ave. Ste. 101 Lombard, IL 60148. The publisher of this magazine does not endorse or promote the use of any of these ideas or tools. Readers should evaluate these ideas for safety and effectiveness and adapt their own thoughts on the usefulness of these tools and ideas.
This month's feature submitted by: Steven Fechino, WASCO Masonry, Nashville, TN
Quick Caulking Tool
When caught in a bind, an effective caulking tool can be made from simply cutting the metal shipping band from a cube of brick into a 10-inch strip. Grind the edge of the strap into the required radius and you ahve a flexible, disposable caulking knife.
Plaster Removal Tool
Several years ago we had to remove mesh reinforced plaster from an old birck wall that the owner wanted to restore. In order not to score the soft brick we designed the following tool that was durable, yet not worth a thieves efforts.
48 MASONRY FEBRUARY, 2001