Masonry Magazine September 2008 Page. 20
TOOLS
# Tuckpointing and Repointing Tools
Specialized tools for removing and replacing mortar
By Brett Martin
MASONRY CONTRACTORS HAVE MANY OPTIONS WHEN IT COMES TO TUCKPOINTING AND REPOINTING TOOLS. Whether the preference is an electric grinder or a hammer and chisel to remove mortar, or a drill attachment or a tuckpointing trowel for applying mortar, a variety of new and improved tools exists for this niche market.
Some companies, like Bosch Power Tools and Accessories in Mount Prospect, III., focus on a single specialized tool, in this case, the tuckpoint grinder. Other companies, like Kraft Tool Co. in Shawnee, Kan., manufacture hand tools and accessories for all types of tuckpointing and repointing work, including removing old mortar, cleaning out the joint, and replacing and finishing the mortar.
# Grinding mortar and collecting dust
SINCE GRINDERS are often used to remove mortar, Bosch designed a grinder dedicated for exactly that purpose. The five-inch tuckpoint grinder with 8.5 amp. 11,000 rpm motor offers variable depth adjustment.
"The advantage of using it over a grinder is it adjusts easily to the depth of the work," says Ryan Anderson, product manager for the metal category for Bosch. "This particular tool has a spring-loaded guard that can be adjusted to the desired depth. You can get a consistent depth across the wall."
A dust extraction port can be attached to a vacuum to control dust during grinding, Anderson says. "It's dust free, for the most part."
Tuckpointing tools typically run for hours without stopping, so the tuckpoint grinder has an overload protection that reduces power by about 50 percent if the tool starts to overheat, he says. The tool runs at half power, which lets the operator con-