ToughButterCup Posted July 25, 2017 Share Posted July 25, 2017 What do you call, and where do you buy a simple big straight edge? I mean a big one for brickies, so I can lay blocks in a straight line; or rather check easily and quickly that blocks have been laid in a straight line? I am going to buy several builders string lines (or whatever they are called) and put them in the post to make sure builders have their own personal line that they can bring to work every day. Each morning there will be a parade and inspection. I am going to look in each ear to see if I can see daylight, and they will have to present their line thingamajig. And I'm going to give them DVDs about how the Egyptians managed to lay blocks in straight and level lines, and I'm also going to buy yards of clear plastic tubing and give them endless supplies of water and food colouring to help them lay blocks that are level. And when I have done that I am going to whisper Sweet Nothings to each builder's ear so loud that the whole village knows that blocks need to be laid level and plumb. And when I've done that I am going to use the broken record technique until they manage to shut me up by laying blocks straight and level. Do I sound peeved? Good. Wouldn't mind knowing what brickies use as a straight edge though. Ian (Peeved of Lancaster) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Declan52 Posted July 25, 2017 Share Posted July 25, 2017 (edited) It's called a spirit level usually a 1200mm length although stabila do a very good 1000m version. You could if you wanted use an 1800mm level to check stuff but it would be a boomerang in no time if it was used by a brickie. If you are paying for a builder who doesn't own rolls of string line then he's not the one for you. And if the said lines resemble a set of rosary beads as he has cut the line that many times then they need replaced. Edited July 25, 2017 by Declan52 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeSharp01 Posted July 25, 2017 Share Posted July 25, 2017 You can also by very long straight edges onto which you can put a spirit level these can run up to 3m and longer. One technique an old brickie taught me was to use two post at each end of the wall being built with nails in at each course level he then just moved the string up by a nail at each end once a course was complete. He marked them out together and leveled them with a dumpy level so each end was perfect. He had two lead weights on the ends of the string to stretch it straight. He told me the line drooped about 1/16th inch over 20 feet when held taught by these weights. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeremy Harris Posted July 25, 2017 Share Posted July 25, 2017 I have a 5m long aluminium deep section I beam extrusion, that I usually use as a strongback when building small boats, but it's been very useful when used as a straight edge to make a very long spirit level. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterW Posted July 25, 2017 Share Posted July 25, 2017 My brickie has just built a 6m chimney with a 5 step corbel from reclaimed bricks and according to my laser it's perfectly plumb ... Roofers told me the ridge is out by 10mm over 16m today too ... He uses a 1200mm Ox level, and a string line. Doesn't even use profiles for the doors and windows ..! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jfb Posted July 25, 2017 Share Posted July 25, 2017 https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/262075601513?chn=ps&dispItem=1&adgroupid=43333907642&rlsatarget=pla-300630784516&abcId=1088846&adtype=pla&merchantid=113729568&googleloc=1006602&device=c&campaignid=805983114&crdt=0&var=560853614584 only up to 3m though - haven't seen a 5m one Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Construction Channel Posted July 25, 2017 Share Posted July 25, 2017 Dare i ask what brought this on? or are you saving it for the blog?. usually plumb is sorted with a 4' level at either end (unless they are using profiles) then brick line is strung between the corners as described above the most common reason for you to get a belly in the wall is that they are laying the bricks touching the line, so each one pushes it a little further out, or you often hear that the insulation is pushing the blocks out. but as you are using ICF i doubt the latter is what you are suffering from. the main issue i found is that "to stereotype horrifically" most bricklayers are glorified monkeys barely capable of playing jenga, as for checking their work get a set of brick pins and bang them in either end and put a 10mm spacer behind the line, then go and see how much space there is behind the line in the middle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProDave Posted July 25, 2017 Share Posted July 25, 2017 I too want to know the back story. I suspect if you do a the OP suggests, your brickies would walk off the job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onoff Posted July 25, 2017 Share Posted July 25, 2017 I like Mason's Mates line holders: http://bricky.com/building-tools/builders-line-anchor/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferdinand Posted July 26, 2017 Share Posted July 26, 2017 (edited) Is not this for one for: 1 - Get long straight sufficiently strong batten. 2 - Attach spirit level to it. 3 - Attach a couple of cheap cupboard door u-handles. My favourite straight edge is the steel I-column in Wickes in the wood-aisle, that I use for detecting bananas amongst their CLS. My brickies just used a brickiees' line, wrapped aroound a brick at each end, and a long spirit level to check it for each course. Added: Thinking about the geometry they may well have the line wrapped around 75mm bricks and emerging from the top for a wall made with 65mm bricks, which would give a 10mm mortar joint. Ferdinand Edited July 26, 2017 by Ferdinand Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToughButterCup Posted July 26, 2017 Author Share Posted July 26, 2017 8 hours ago, Construction Channel said: Dare i ask what brought this on? or are you saving it for the blog?. [...] Later. I'm going to be quite an unpleasant little bunny for the next few days. And as for paying promptly like I used to, well stuff that. Rationale? The additional costs the plasterers charge to straighten bananas. How did I find out? A European supplier with an interest in accuracy paid a visit on his way past J33. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferdinand Posted July 26, 2017 Share Posted July 26, 2017 Or you could learn a new skill and press-gang @Mrs RA: or use your other bricky. F Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brickie Posted July 26, 2017 Share Posted July 26, 2017 Now you know why I packed in Foremanship... The basic,elementary mistakes brickies make when you're not babysitting them-just shocking. As above-laying hard to the line is a common one,as is offering the level up against the wall with one hand rather than pinching it against the wall below with your foot or knee to get a true reading,not checking for plumb after four courses,not keeping to gauge height blah blah blah. Christ,I'm boring myself now. No wonder I don't get invited out much now... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barney12 Posted July 26, 2017 Share Posted July 26, 2017 50 minutes ago, Brickie said: No wonder I don't get invited out much now... We would all invite you out. Just remember to bring your trowel 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeSharp01 Posted July 26, 2017 Share Posted July 26, 2017 2 hours ago, recoveringacademic said: I'm going to be quite an unpleasant little bunny for the next few days. Oh er Mrs... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeSharp01 Posted July 26, 2017 Share Posted July 26, 2017 10 hours ago, PeterW said: is out by 10mm over 16m today too ... Is that good or bad? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triassic Posted July 26, 2017 Share Posted July 26, 2017 11 minutes ago, MikeSharp01 said: Is that good or bad? I would have thought its good. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterW Posted July 26, 2017 Share Posted July 26, 2017 Pretty good bearing in mind it's an extension to an old building and has been done using reclaimed brick etc ... I've got timber on site that bends by 15mm over 4m so...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToughButterCup Posted July 26, 2017 Author Share Posted July 26, 2017 We've had the pressure, now the support I have gone out to the BM and (on a separate ticket) bought A builder's bag a two meter spirit level three different sorts of builders lines some chalk two disposable saws for the blocks some of those fat nail things to bang into the wall and tie the line to a few of those plastic corner things to hold the line a rubber mallet a short spirit level a plumb line or two and I will be putting my Bosch zigger zagger (chop saw?) with three batteries and some long Saxton blades in it too. I have one of those superjaws portable vices and a set of old pallets to act as a cutting bench. And apart form the Bosch saw, the cost will be deducted from the final bill. No more Mr retired Academic Nice Guy. Unless of course, simple basics are done correctly. The we can be all smiles, tea, coffee, bacon buttie, the odd joke and prompt payment. While I'm waiting for the builder to grace the site with his presence, I'm watching the wind gust forecast like a hawk. And feeling sick at the thought of Friday afternoon. 35mph. And just a hint of east (where we have little or no wind shadow) in the prevailing southerly, swinging round to west where there is at least some. I think I can say that scales have dropped from my eyes in the last couple of weeks. Some would say it's about time. And they'd be right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeSharp01 Posted July 26, 2017 Share Posted July 26, 2017 8 minutes ago, recoveringacademic said: bacon buttie Singular! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brickie Posted July 26, 2017 Share Posted July 26, 2017 3 hours ago, recoveringacademic said: think I can say that scales have dropped from my eyes in the last couple of weeks. Not you as well!! David Icke's really on to something with this Lizard People/Illuminati conspiracy!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToughButterCup Posted July 26, 2017 Author Share Posted July 26, 2017 4 hours ago, MikeSharp01 said: Singular! Aye, Jimmy. Wan wee bit 'teach Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russell griffiths Posted July 26, 2017 Share Posted July 26, 2017 Have you got any pics? Interested to see how far out. Is it a bit you have core filled ? If not can you not straighten it ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToughButterCup Posted July 26, 2017 Author Share Posted July 26, 2017 @Russell griffiths, when I go out to feed the dogs in a while I'll take one or two pictures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeSharp01 Posted July 26, 2017 Share Posted July 26, 2017 58 minutes ago, recoveringacademic said: @Russell griffithswhen I go out to feed the dogs in a while I'll take one or two pictures. Bit harsh Ian - referring to your workforce on this way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now