Masonry Construction articles from November 2004

Masonry Construction archives from November 2004

Controlling destiny.(editor's note)(Editorial)
November 1, 2004... My son has great timing, and I hope great decision-making abilities. He's attending college in Tennessee and seems to only phone home when he needs something. That's to be expected, but it's his timing that I admire. For example, a few...

Lucia Group picks president & CEO.(brickbats)
November 1, 2004... The Lucia Group Inc., one of the country's largest masonry and dimension stone contractors, has named Troy Garrett as president and chief executive officer. The new executive spent the past 11 years with Linbeck, a prominent project and...

Updated association phone directory.(brickbats)(Correction Notice)
November 1, 2004... Brian E. Trimble, P.E., of the International Masonry Institute MidAtlantic Region has informed MASONRY CONSTRUCTION that several of the phone numbers listed in the "Trade Association Directory" of the June issue are incorrect. The changes are:...

ASTM bestows two awards of merit.(brickbats)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... ASTM International has announced that the Award of Merit has been presented to Robert Dale Thomas, vice president of engineering at the National Concrete Masonry Association, and Diane B. Throop, P.E., principal of her own consulting...

AEM elects top two officers.(brickbats)(Association of Equipment Manufacturers)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... The board of directors for the Association of Equipment Manufacturers has elected Charles Stamp Jr. (photo), vice president of public affairs worldwide, Deere & Co., Moline Ill., as chairman of the organization. Gerald Shaheen, group vice...

Concrete and masonry standards released.(brickbats)
November 1, 2004... The American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) recently released construction standards covering concrete and masonry work. The A 10.9-1997 (R2004) standard, "Safety Requirements for Masonry and Concrete Work," covers concrete construction...

Making assumptions is often exopensive.(brickbats)
November 1, 2004... "Assume" is one of the most dangerous words in the English language for subcontractors. For example, do you assume that your company will be reimbursed for costs incurred as a result of project delays caused by another sub or the general...

Caption correction.(Correction Notice)
November 1, 2004... The caption on page 32 of the September issue is incorrect. It should read: Northern Ohio BAC apprentice instructor Lee Kurtz is demonstrating a slump test at a grout certification workshop in Warren. Ohio."

House beautiful.(showcase)
November 1, 2004... Intricate brick patterns and extensive limestone detailing distinguish this 10,000-square-foot private residence, designed in the Style of a French chateau. The elemental shapes and material textures create a play of light and shadow across the...

Steel beam bearing on concrete masonry.(details, details, details)
November 1, 2004... Masonry bearing wall structures in excess of five stories are commonly constructed. Bearing walls are built quickly and usually are completed before the structural steel is delivered to the construction site. Bearing walls can...

What are clipped headers?(troubleshooting)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... What are clipped headers? Q I have heard contractors use the term "clipped headers." What does this term mean and where are they used? A Clipped headers are used to give the appearance of a true brick header in veneer and cavity walls...

Jeff Leonard: Masonry Construction's Industry.(Leader of the Year)(Cover Story)
November 1, 2004... AT>Cover Story "My father continually told me that masonry was the Cadillac of building skin materials, but many other alternatives--although not as good--are available. He stressed the need to control costs, emphasize quality, work with...

World of masonry.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... World of Masonry/ World of Concrete--the industry's first, largest, and most important international event of the year--is returning to the country's most exciting city--Las Vegas--for its 2005 edition. Based around the theme "Build Your...

Conference preview.(wom)
November 1, 2004... AT>Calendar Seven of the nearly 100 three-hour educational sessions will detail the technologies and techniques needed to improve the mason contractors' procedures, productivity, and profitability. Two of the programs--mold prevention and...

Paint marks variety of surfaces.(Product Preview)
November 1, 2004... Solid Marker is solidified paint that permanently marks and won't smear on dry, wet, and greasy surfaces, including concrete, masonry, steel, iron, aluminum, plastic, and robber. It comes in eight standard and three fluorescent colors. The...

Tool cleans masonry joints.(Product Preview)
November 1, 2004... The Termite crack chaser performs dust-tree clean out of masonry and concrete joints prior to repair. This tool removes old mortar from a depth of 40 mm, and is ideal for preparing joints in concrete slabs. Its router bits are coated with...

Acrylic tuckpoints and seals mortar joints.(Product Preview)
November 1, 2004... Mortar Repair tubes contain a water-resistant acrylic formula that is textured and colored to give the appearance of masonry mortar. The product is used with a standard caulking gun for tuckpointing and sealing joints in block or brick...

Saw includes dust collection system.(Product Preview)
November 1, 2004... The PX-3 dry-cutting masonry saw is lightweight and portable. Features include an easy-to-replace filter, dust collector nozzle for connecting to vacuum systems, and a locking trigger switch. The pivoting backstop can cut material at any angle....

Dump trailer handles 3500 pounds.(Product Preview)
November 1, 2004... The TH-4D hydraulic dump trailer has a load capacity of 3500 pounds. The dump box is 12-inches high, 60-inches wide, and 96-inches long. The product also features a standard multifunctional tri-swing gate and axles with easy-lube hubs. The...

Mixer features variable speed controls.(Product Preview)
November 1, 2004... The Collomix CX hand-held power mixer provides high performance blending of cement, mortar, and viscous materials. This 120-V mixer features variable speed controls for effortless power and splash-free processing. Designed with an ergonomic...

Blades remove mortar and grout.(Product Preview)
November 1, 2004... Eight new wafer style tuckpoint blades offer superior grinding speeds at a reasonable price. With their streamlined blade thicknesses, operators easily remove grout and mortar between brick and in foundation wall concrete block in less than...

Vents protect masonry walls.(Product Preview)
November 1, 2004... Driwall masonry vents provide a path at each weep to ensure that the entire wall has ventilation and drainage, even if a mortar bridge occurs at each brick course. The vertical wall vents disconnect the horizontal mortar bridge and provide...

Skidsteers enhanced with increased power.(Product Preview)
November 1, 2004... Several of the company's radial-lift skidsteers have been enhanced with increased power and performance. The 216B, 226B, 236B, and 248B units have boosted engine power and breakout force, as well as improved operator comfort and...

Hoist adapts to work platforms.(Product Preview)
November 1, 2004... This portable hoist features an integrated variable frequency drive controller that makes it suitable for projects in which speed is required to lift or lower the load, but more precise control is needed for placing. The hoist adapts to most...

Mat catches mortar droppings.(Product Preview)
November 1, 2004... The Weep Guard extruded polystyrene insulation system combines rigid foam with a mortar control device to reduce labor costs by increasing installation efficiency. Designed for the bottom course in a masonry cavity wall, the product has a...

Trailer hauls work platform to jobsite.(Product Preview)
November 1, 2004... The 14-foot M2 mast-climbing work platform is now available with a double torsion-axle trailer. The platform is easily hauled on the back of a truck for quick setup and relocation. Also, the trailer can stay attached to the unit during work....

Customers create own tool kit.(Product Preview)
November 1, 2004... The innovative Build Your Own Combo features a line of 18-V tools. The system gives contractors the flexibility to select the exact tools they need to do their jobs. Choose a two-, three-, or four-tool kit, building on the base package which...

Material vents and drains.(Product Preview)
November 1, 2004... Flash-Vent is a polypropylene wicking material laminated to the top surface of a flashing membrane. It flashes the cavity with copper while venting and draining it. The wicking material draws water from the cavity and allows air to filter in...

Utility vehicle provides traction under all conditions.(Product Preview)
November 1, 2004... The 2200 4 x 4 utility vehicle features IntelliTrak drive, which provides power to all the wheels as needed in order to prevent any of them from spinning without all others, so that all four must spin in low-traction conditions. The automatic...

Device braces masonry walls.(Product Preview)
November 1, 2004... The Hog Leg for bracing masonry walls helps make each application more productive and profitable. Designed for strength and durability, the product enables the job to be performed by one or two workers. The heaviest extension weighs only 38...

Adapters added to extension cord line.(Product Preview)
November 1, 2004... "Y" and "W" adapters have been added to a family of vinyl extension cords. These products are used whenever multiple loads need to be attached to a single circuit. The 12-gauge cord rated for outdoor use withstands tough construction...

Two hammer drills join product line.(Product Preview)
November 1, 2004... Two new 5/8-inch hammer drills are now available. The HP1620F has a keyed chuck, while the HP1621FK is a keyless-chuck model. Both drills have 5.7-amp motors that work up to 44,800 bpm, making them suitable for demanding applications. The tools...

Sealant protects moving joints.(Product Preview)
November 1, 2004... The Dymeric 240 FC multi-component polyurethane sealant is a fast-curing, epoxidized product that is flexible enough for dynamically moving joints. It is fast mixing, solvent free, with low odor. Application is accomplished with a gun or by dry...

Coring system easy to operate and maintain.(Product Preview)
November 1, 2004... The DD diamond coring system features a powerful, compact motor. It quickly and neatly cores holes up to 16 inches in diameter in masonry and reinforced concrete. The controls permit simple selection of the optimum choice from the tool's...

Harness provides fall protection.(Product Preview)
November 1, 2004... The Blue Goose is a bright blue harness that boasts a wide range of comfort- and safety-enhancing features. The harness provides fall protection to construction workers looking for a wide range of features, such as adjustable shoulder pads. In...

Trowels feature stainless steel blade.(Product Preview)
November 1, 2004... A line of stainless-steel brick trowels last longer than other types and help reduce operator fatigue. The blade is made from a modified stainless steel that makes it stronger and more durable than carbon steel tools. The trowels do not rust,...

Heater thaws 4500 square feet.(Product Preview)
November 1, 2004... The S3000 ground heater offers high-quality components and performance capabilities in an economy model. It can thaw up to 4500 square feet to a maximum depth of 1-foot per day, or it can heat up to 6000 square feet (indoors or outdoors)....

Skidsteers have increased capabilities.(Product Preview)
November 1, 2004... Model 2099 (86 hp) and Model 2109 (115 hp) skidsteers have increased capabilities compared to previous models, with the same level of responsiveness and agility. The 2109 has a rated load capacity of 3675 pounds, while the 2099 is rated at 3400...

Generators incorporate inverter technology.(Product Preview)
November 1, 2004... Silent Series generators feature advanced inverter technology. The R1700i runs at 1650 W, the RG3200iS operates at 3200 W, and the RG4300iS is a 4300-W unit. The inverter technology reduces the sound level and runs the engine at a slower speed...

Ball hitch available on mortar mixers.(Product Preview)
November 1, 2004... An additional ball hitch option is available on the company's concrete and mortar mixers. The stamped-steel ball hitch can be ordered on all mixer models, except the hydraulic HM1290. This hitch bolts to the mixer tow pole and is similar to...

Screwdrivers include rotating shank.(Product Preview)
November 1, 2004... Rapi-Driv cushion-grip rotary screw-drivers have a shank that rotates in the handle, saving time and effort--especially on screws with long threads--and reducing operator fatigue. Users can choose from a range of tips, including 6-inch shafts...

Masonry news contractor tip.
November 1, 2004... Are your blocklayers standing around waiting for grout at the end of a block run? We've all seen it. There's a better way that saves both time and money. Lets say your crew is scheduled to top out a run at 2:00pm. So, you call the ready...

Survival of the fittest: Standing up to a wide variety of natural and man-made disasters is one job that concrete masonry does very well.(survivability)
November 1, 2004... It's no surprise to see masonry structures that have survived violent storms, fires, and explosions. Masonry has long been noted for its ability to withstand various natural and man-made disturbances far better than alternative forms of...

Bricklayer 500: Regional competitions kick off the search for the nation's best bricklayer.(brick)
November 1, 2004... Two regional champs have been crowned, and four more similar events are on the docket, in the first phase of the 3rd annual SPEC MIX Bricklayer 500 competition to determine the nation's best bricklayer. These six winners, plus last year's...

Angle grinders.(The mason's toolbag)
November 1, 2004... Angle grinders are lightweight, portable tools used in many different applications, including removing fins after stripping formwork, smoothing surfaces, crack chasing, and decorative cutting. A recent trend is using these tools with vacuum...

Custom Fabricated Jack Arches.(Products for the Pros)
November 1, 2004... Custom Fabricated Jack Arches Masonry contractors who work with the Archway System no longer suffer from the delays associated with cutting and assembling jack arches on sight. We use brick, sand, and mortar from the customer's job sight to cut...

Dependable, affordable brick cutting.(Products for the Pros)
November 1, 2004... Our Brick Buster provides a fast and cost-effective method to cut bricks or pavers. The 10-inch wide cutting blade allows cutting at any angle. A removable pin quickly and easily adjusts the height to one of three positions. An adjustment screw...

Grouting equipment.(Products for the Pros)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... ChemGrout manufactures the world's largest selection of grouting equipment from high-capadty colloidal systems to hand grout pumps. Capacities from 1 to 50 GPM and pressures to 2000 psi. Their patented pumps are industry standards offering...

Plumb-Rite * From WIRE-BOND[R].(Products for the Pros)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Plumb-Rite is a ]--shaped PVC product that assists in keeping vertical joints in precise alignment where control joints and expansion joints are used in a masonry wall. It is rigid enough to keep a 3/8' vertical joint consistently straight....

Planning the perfect yard.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Promote the use of brick and block by offering your customers one of the design books published by Home Planners. These books contain hints and ideas on how to use brick, block, pavers, and stepping stones to accent a backyard, whether it's...

You can't do it all yourself.(lookout)
November 1, 2004... During the first seven years after starting and building a construction company, I tried to do everything myself. I did all the estimates and presented the bids. I signed all the contracts, subcontracts, and change orders. I made the big field...