One of the first projects that a do it yourselfer with a masonry saw will undertake is a DIY brick wall. A homemade brick wall can be practical, decorative or both – a basic, no fuss brick wall made of concrete bricks or cinder blocks can be used as an earth retaining wall or other structural purpose, while red or brown brick walls can add a decorative aspect to a garden, barbecue or patio. Indoors, an exposed brick wall can be incorporated into many diverse design aesthetics: industrial, loft, rustic, cottage, etc. Whatever your plans are for your DIY brick wall, armed with your masonry saw and a few other essential tools, it is sure to be a great first project and learning experience for novice masons and stone cutters.
Essential Equipment: Masonry Saw
If you’re reading this article, you probably already have your masonry saw and are looking for a project to see what it can do. If you haven’t invested in a masonry saw and your project requires a lot of cutting, you will find that having a SIMA electric table saw on your team will save you a lot of time and energy, and give you better results. Once you have your masonry saw, make sure it is equipped with a high quality diamond blade appropriate for the type of brick you are cutting. Always wear protective equipment when cutting brick and stone, such as goggles and a respirator mask, and cut in a well-ventilated area. Taking advantage of the water tank on your masonry saw for wet cutting will ensure that your cuts are clean, extend the life of your blades, and protect you from silica dust exposure.
Essential Equipment: Hand Tools
For your DIY brick wall, in addition to your masonry saw you will also need some hand tools to do the job right. The most important of these are the trowel, the level, the steel square, the mason’s line and the jointer. The trowel, of course, is used to load and spread mortar on your brick wall. They are available in different lengths, widths and materials; the trowel that you choose will depend on what is most comfortable for you. A level is essential for making sure your DIY brick wall is perfectly, well, level. Levels with alcohol vials (spirit levels) are more accurate than oil levels. Use a level that is between 24 and 36 inches long, and use it to ensure that your wall is even vertically as well as horizontally. Using a steel square will keep your corners at a perfect 90 degree angle, and a mason’s line will save you time on a larger project by keeping your wall straight without needing to use your level as often. Lastly, a jointer is needed to give a finished, professional look to your mortar joints. The jointer should be used when the mortar has slightly hardened, enough that a fingerprint will show in the mortar if you press it. There are many different style jointers which will give different shaped indentations between the bricks in your DIY wall. The shape you choose is up to your personal preference, but the most common are the V joint and the half-rounded joint.
With these essentials, you are ready to take on your first masonry saw project and build a gorgeous (and functional) DIY brick wall.
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