the fine art of brickwork - Setting the gauge

Making a gauge rod is essential when working on an existing building that doesn't have metric gauge. The gauge is taken from the existing building and transfered to each corner/profile to ensure the new brickwork is raised uniformly and level.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• 017

[robsonger1]

Sorry for the delay in replying.

Yes with thin joint the blockwork is raised first regardless of the insulation being used

If you watch my Thin Joint video's 1 to 5 you may see who it all goes together.

[robsonger1]

Always remember, as soon as your line is up, you are earning, corner bricks require special attention by means of gauging, levelling, plumbing, faceplaning, checking.. all this slows down progress.

Level work is neccesary on detailed work but all straight work use profiles. Don't throw away old levels either, look at the Running in 1 and 2 videos to see time saving profiles as well.

[robsonger1]

Hi Kentishsteve,

The inner leaf was built first as the construction of this cavity wall, as with all cavity walls I build, was with thin joint blockwork. Please see the video's Thin joint 1,2,3 &4

Thin joint blockwork has been common in Germany for over 30yrs but in this country bricklayers seem to be very reluctant to change.

Thin joint is quick, clean, with little wastage, accurate and most importantly it is energy efficient with far fewer cold spots.

[robsonger1]

The inner leaf is blockwork, to see how the ties are installed please watch the 'thin joint 4' video and that will explain your query. Thanks for your comment

[mrwindows1966]

@robsonger1 hi rob, could you please tell me the exact sand and cement you use, and what ratio ? and what additive ? do you add the placitiser to the water first?(and how much?) i just want to start building small walls to begin with, but would like to know the mix you go by,many thanks if you can, and your videos,are great,picked up lots of tips.

[MrRedRooster]

@robsonger1 I've watched some of your videos and I really like your work but I'm asking myself if the concept of insulation inbetween walls is new in the UK. Where I life we build back ventilated walls with an air space of atleast 1 inch to the insulation and are not allowed to touch it under any circumstances. The stuff we are using is also stiffer, with a hydrophobic layer on one side.

[monkey1989ify]

the block work go's in first on parshall fill cavity

if its a fall fill cavity the face work go's up first as its better to run in the face work first as to guage for opening ect

but iv never layed fine joint block work so it may be diffrent.

.

[monkey1989ify]

profiles tut tut tut norty boy lol

rake back your corners and lay too the line lol

[kentishsteve]

Yes I looked at it straight after I commented and answered my own question I've only just started laying bricks I'm a carpenter by trade so I'm trying to learn yours is the cleanest work I've seen though

[kentishsteve]

why did you build the inner leaf first