Masonry Magazine February 2005 Page. 20
HANDHELD SAWS
According to a Bosch spokesman, the biggest enemy to equipment is usually dust. A good practice is to regularly blow out the tool with a compressor each day after use.
The biggest mistake in tuckpointing, however, comes from trying to remove too much material at any one time. This makes the tool work harder and is harder on the motor. Instead, it's better to make multiple passes in smaller areas at one time. This is more efficient on the equipment and guarantees you won't gouge out more than planned.
In fact, specialized tuckpointing grinders such as the Bosch 1775E utilize a special hood for both dust and depth control. This unique tool easily hooks up to a vacuum to avoid a mess, and the specially designed depth gauge allows the user to select how deep they want to grind. Additionally, it has a window so the user can watch their work.
While the motor is the heart of the grinder, the diamond blade is the heart of the job. Picking the right blade can make a big difference in how much work the motor-and tuckpointer-has to do. Tuckpointing blades are usually in the four to five-inch range and a minimum of 1/4-inch thickness.
Some care in using the grinder will also pay off in longer blade life. For example, avoid striking the brick face with the blade; ease the blade into the work to prevent gouging the material and wearing the blade unevenly; and store blades in a dry environment to avoid rusting. Also, do not use any blade beyond the proper depth designed for the wheel. This will prevent undercutting that can cause the diamond segments to glaze over, requiring the user to dress the wheel.
THE ORIGINAL FOR OVER 40-YEARS
PLANK-TIE
YOUR NAME IMPRINTED HERE
Manufactured by ISI
Scaffold Plank Protection
180 Mill Street, Waynesboro, VA 22900
(540) 940-6830
www.plank-tie.com
The Original since 1947! Made in the USA
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So simple it's nearly perfect.
800-350-9313 or visit www.ceejaytool.com
Masonry
Stone Mason Mobile M50
Increase Profits & Quality
Mobile & Self Contained
Ideal for Large Jobs
CEB-JAY TOOL COMPANY, INC
5100 Boyd Lake Avenue, Loveland, CO 80538
CIRCLE 175 ON READER SERVICE CARD
February 2005
Moving Up
FOUND IN EVERY HOME WORKSHOP, the circular saw has made many a cut in wood. On the masonry job site, similar saws are cutting brick and block in some out-of-the-way places. According to Brian Fortner, Sales Manager for Lackmond Products, Kennesaw, Ga., "A compact circular saw like our LP250 is ideal for use on various tile materials that have become ever popular in the building trades. It takes a 4.5-inch blade, so the immediate up-front cost savings on the smaller diameter diamond blade is also very attractive to the end-user"
The Lackmond LP250 runs off a standard 110-power source, building wire or portable. At a suggested list price of $143, the saw comes with a water kit, blade and everything needed to begin cutting. The saw uses standard masonry
www.masoncontractors.org