Tools

The saying "the right tool for the job" is true in spades in the stone and masonry trades. Trying to use a carpenters hammer and wood chisel to cut stone is the ultimate definition of “beating your head against the wall.” Here are a few of the complete line of masonry and stone working tools that we carry.

	Brick Hammers - used to cut and trim clay brick. Many masons also use brick chisels when shaping softer stones.
	Brick Trowels - a versatile tool in the mason’s bag. Primarily designed to place mortar on the brick or stone in order to set the next piece of work, it is also used to trim excess mortar from the joints and even to cut brick & soft stone.
	Carbide Chisels - these are true stone-working tools. The carbide stays sharp when working hard stone like granite. They are very expensive, and if mis-used can break easily, but in the hands of a skilled craftsman, they are invaluable.
	Cement Finishing Tools - Trowels, floats and rubbing stones are used to smooth and texture concrete walls and floors.
	Diamond Blades - cutting brick and stone has become simple with the advent of industrial diamonds. Varying sizes from 4 inch up to as big as 13 feet are now an integral part of the stone industry.
	Edgers - Edgers are a concrete finishing tool that rounds over the edge of poured concrete paving so that the edges don’t chip.
	Groovers - Another concrete finishing tool that puts a groove in poured concrete. The groove acts as a control joint so that if the concrete cracks, it will do it along the groove placed by the tool.
	Jointers - A jointer is used to finish off the joint in between brick or stone. Different types of jointers produce a different texture in the joint.
	Levels - A mason uses different length levels depending on the requirements of the job. One level that most people may not be familiar with is the line level. It can give you a level reference when strung on a line between two distant points.
	Line & Line Holders - A mason will use these tools to layout the job as well as to keep their joints straight and level.
	Masonry Brushes - Used to clean up a job and also to give the joints a more rustic texture than a jointer will.
	Mortar Hoes - these have hole in the blade so that the mortar will go through them while mixing. A mortar hoe makes mixing much easier and results in a more even batch.
	Mortar Pans - used to mix mortar in. While you can use about anything, the rounded edges of a mortar pan make it easier to throughly mix the mortar.
	Rules & Tapes - as in any job, measuring accurately is a must. Usually a standard tape or rule will work just fine. When laying out brick or block, however, a mason’s spacing rule is a must.
	Steel Chisels - these come in a variety of sizes and shapes depending on the job. There are chisels for cutting brick, others for cutting stone, some for scoring concrete and chisels for cleaning out mortar joints. Steel chisels are very reasonably priced, but need to be sharpened frequently.
	Stone Hammers - used for striking the chisels for cutting stone and brick. They are available in different weight and shapes to fit your individual taste
	Stone Splitting Tools - Believe it or not, a series of these small wedges can split the biggest piece of granite. The toughest part is putting the hole in the stone.

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			Plymouth Quarries, Inc. 410 Whiting St. Hingham, MA 02043 Copyright © 2003 Plymouth Quarries, Inc.