Asking brickie to grade mortar using buckets?

[flanagaj]

I'm getting all of the sand for our brickwork delivered in one load and I want to make sure that there is no variation in mortar colour.  We are having a 5 sand, 1 cement, 1 lime mix.  Should I simply buy 7 buckets to ensure they all get filled before be discharged into the mixer?

 

What have others done / insisted is done?

 

[carlos21]

Why would there be a variation in colour?

[flanagaj]

31 minutes ago, carlos21 said:

Why would there be a variation in colour?

If you throw sand and cement in a mixer using a shovel, isn't there a risk that each batch will differ slightly, simply because no two shovel loads will contain the same volume of material?

[carlos21]

I would not have thought the colour would change that much, but iam no expert, i guess just try it out for yourself, i recon 7 buckets would be annoying, 

[Oz07]

Bucket gauge is good. Normally have 1 bucket and count them bur I can see your thinking minimise the risk. Normally a cement bag cut in half is 1 mix so then get 6 buckets. Are you making the brickie mix up or has he got a joey?

[Mr Punter]

I would say the biggest risk to colour variation is what sand and cement you use so having all the sand in one load is good.  Make sure the cement is the same make and supplier throughout.  I have used some that was very inconsistent in colour.

 

Shovelling lime into a gauging bucket before chucking it into the mixer is a horrible job, but they should have paid more attention at school.

[Oz07]

4 hours ago, Mr Punter said:

I would say the biggest risk to colour variation is what sand and cement you use so having all the sand in one load is good.  Make sure the cement is the same make and supplier throughout.  I have used some that was very inconsistent in colour.

 

Shovelling lime into a gauging bucket before chucking it into the mixer is a horrible job, but they should have paid more attention at school.

Why is lime bad? Can you cut the bag in half like cement or will it be too much volume as lighter?

 

Whats better for workability the concentrated admix or lime?

[Mr Punter]

17 minutes ago, Oz07 said:

Why is lime bad? Can you cut the bag in half like cement or will it be too much volume as lighter?

 

Whats better for workability the concentrated admix or lime?

 

It is not bad, just very unpleasant to breathe in, stings in cuts and eyes, dusty.  Much more volume than cement.  It does make the mortar nice and creamy and workable though.  I wouldn't cut the bag in half.

[Oz07]

Another tip @flanagaj if mixing by volume try to get hold of the 15l painters tubs empty. 

 

I always found half a cement fits in these whereas they dont fill up a 25l builders bucket. If you're not careful you're getting more sand than you want in the mix. 

 

@Mr Punter does it give it any flexibility or self repairing once its gone off or is that no chance with cement?