Funny if it wasn't serious

[robpage]

Jws I employed bricklayers for about 20 years normally one or two at a time if I had anything bigger I used to get a gang in . They all wanted a London pattern trowel for laying bricks but what I think you're talking about is a Philadelphia trowelPhiladelphia pattern trowels are better suited for laying blocks because they allow for more mortar to be placed on the blade.

[John Pruden]

rob i have my workshop at home every tool you could ever need they call me johns tool hire around here anyone moving into the street if they need anything they give me a shout people still ring me to see if i could advise them my sons have their own houses and work together saves them a fortune pity the body doesn't work to good these days i miss working? jp

[robpage]

Barely enough although I've now retired 10 years I still miss the day today job itself and in fact this week I had a headhunting agency ring me up and asked me if I was interested in a short term contract I explained it would be fine if I can get my wheelchair in there and I did point out that I'm now 68

[vic mcclymont]

Plastering, saw a video n face book, two parallel rails mounted vertically, on the rails S a container containing mixed plaster. Container travelled slowly, fixing plaster to brick work. As the container travels downward it scrapes off surplus plaster leaving a smooth finish.
Vic

[j.sabourn]

I had my present house built in 2000 it was the year of the Olympics out here and all the good tradesmen were over in Sydney making a killing. However I was lucky and managed to get two good ones. This was confirmed by the plasterers who said they always knew who the brickies were by the straightness of the walls. The house next door to me was built a year later and was pulled down three times when they reached the eaves. I asked the surveyor why his answer was have you put a plumb line up against the walls they are like the leaning tower of Pisa. They had to get Australian bricklayers in ss the African ones they had must have thought they were building a native kraal. Bricklayers in 2000 over this side were on 2 dollars a brick, and 500 a day is nothing to a good bricklayer. As regards modern techniques the brickies then had a machine for cutting bricks to size, my old man 9 times out of 10 used the side of his trowel or a brick hammer and chisel. Years ago all building trade craftsmen went through a four years apprenticeship today they do a 12 week course at a technical college. Come out with a piece of paper and go into business. Cheers JWS.

[Des Taff Jenkins]

Hi John .
When we built our house in the Blue Mountain's around thirty five years ago; one brickie laid the bricks , beautiful job, and quick, the best brickies you will find anywhere.
Cheers Des

[happy daze john in oz]

I had my present house built in 2000 it was the year of the Olympics out here and all the good tradesmen were over in Sydney making a killing. However I was lucky and managed to get two good ones. This was confirmed by the plasterers who said they always knew who the brickies were by the straightness of the walls. The house next door to me was built a year later and was pulled down three times when they reached the eaves. I asked the surveyor why his answer was have you put a plumb line up against the walls they are like the leaning tower of Pisa. They had to get Australian bricklayers in ss the African ones they had must have thought they were building a native kraal. Bricklayers in 2000 over this side were on 2 dollars a brick, and 500 a day is nothing to a good bricklayer. As regards modern techniques the brickies then had a machine for cutting bricks to size, my old man 9 times out of 10 used the side of his trowel or a brick hammer and chisel. Years ago all building trade craftsmen went through a four years apprenticeship today they do a 12 week course at a technical college. Come out with a piece of paper and go into business. Cheers JWS.

John, here in Melbourne it is about $1 per brick.
But know all about the overseas bricklayers.
My brother had a house built and the company used some Indonesian crowd to lay the bricks.
The company had a policy of paying $5,000 per house and that was all.
Three times the front of the house had to be bricked before they got it right.
Thee different gangs of brickies.

[John Pruden]

to be able to work with your hands is a gift to sort problems that others have in the home is very satisfying i used to take one day a week of to work for a charity Scottish widows all widows some in their 90s some ripped off by men calling themselves builders it cost me money wise because my time was free traveling free and if i had the material that was free i loved it money is not everything but doing what you think is good deed for the elderly that was priceless.. jp