That moment I realized I was buttering my bricks wrong for 6 years

I was on a job in Denver last fall, working next to this old timer named Ray. He watched me lay about 20 bricks and then just said 'you're killing your wrists, kid'. Turns out I was applying mortar with the trowel face flat instead of using the edge to cut and throw. I had been fighting the brick all day, getting mortar everywhere. After he showed me the proper flick motion, my mud stayed on the brick and my speed jumped by maybe 30 percent. Anyone else have a basic technique click after years of doing it the hard way?

2 comments

2 Comments

grant_allen8522d ago

Yeah, that line about 'fighting the brick all day' really hit home for me. I spent a good three years doing drywall tape and mud the hard way before a guy on a crew pointed out I was pulling the knife instead of pushing it. I felt stupid but it was like night and day. Its crazy how one little tweak in your hand position or tool angle can change everything. Makes you wonder how many other simple things we are doing the long way around. Glad you got that tip from Ray.

the_nina22d ago

Nah, I kinda disagree honestly. Some people get too hung up on finding the perfect technique and waste more time trying to copy someone else's style than they save. Maybe your way was working fine for you and you just needed more practice, not a whole overhaul.