Masonry Magazine November 2007 Page. 30
TOOLS
The Hog Trough is made from a special virgin polyethylene that has a nonstick surface," he says. "No scrapping is necessary. We recommend that the equipment is properly cleaned at the end of each day's use."
Preventative maintenance
A FEW MINUTES of preventative maintenance with preservatives can keep wooden tools in top shape by preventing the wood from splitting.
"Linseed oil is recommended for wooden levels and wooden handles," Bon Tools' Wight says. "Apply small amounts of the oil by hand with a cloth. The oil can be applied as often as the mason feels is necessary, based on the look of the wood."
Cook agrees, saying that a wood preservative like linseed oil will protect against splitting when the wood repeatedly gets wet from use on the masonry walls, and then dries out in the sun.
Although metal tools, such as trowels, are prone to rust, Cook says applying lubrication to the tools isn't necessary, since the rust will naturally wear off when the tools are used.
"When you're using a tool every day, that will keep the tool clean," he says.
Manheim, Penn.-based SLIP Industries manufacturers masonry joint cleaners for vertical, horizontal and V joints with virtually nothing to clean or service, so it's one less thing for contractors to worry about, says Charyl Dommel, owner of the company.
"There are no mechanical parts to it," Dommel says, adding that the carbide cutting slots are extremely tough and have lasted more than six years. "Carbide is one of the hardest materials. You don't wear it down very quickly."
The company's masonry wallscraper, used to remove excess mortar from block, has a seven-inch abrasive pad that needs to be replaced after cleaning about 3,500 to 5,000 square feet of block, she says. The pad costs $7 and is replaced by simply removing a wing nut.
Even the powder-coated aluminum handles on the joint cleaners and wallscrapers are easy to replace if they're accidentally run over on the jobsite by removing a couple of lag bolts and changing out the handle.
Routine service for handhelds
TOOLS THAT DON'T NEED regular cleaning still need routine service, especially if worn parts make the tools unusable or dangerous to workers. Particular care should be taken with striking tools, Bon Tools' Wight says.