This document lists and describes various tools used in brick masonry. It discusses trowels for spreading mortar, chisels for cutting bricks, hammers for breaking and cutting bricks, jointers for shaping mortar joints, squares for measuring angles and layout, levels for establishing horizontal and vertical lines, straightedges for extending levels, and plumb bobs for checking vertical alignment of walls. The document provides details on the purposes, sizes, materials, and preferred designs of each tool used in brick masonry work.

1. Brick Masonry Tools
Ar. Sahil Pahal

2. 1. Trowels
The uses of this triangular-shaped
tool:
• to pick up mortar from a board;
• to place and spread the mortar into
a brick, or set of bricks;
• to secure a brick into the mortar by
tapping.
Sizes vary and can reach up to 11
inches in length and 8 inches in
width. Masons prefer using short and
wide trowels since they do not put
excessive stress on wrists.

3. 1(b). Different Shapes and Designs Of Trowels used worldwide
1(a). Laying of Mortar using Trowel

5. 2. Chisels
A chisel is used to cut bricks into specific sizes. Chisel width ranges from 2 1/2 to 4 1/2 inches.

6. 3. Hammer
A masonry hammer has a square face on one end for breaking; it has a sharp edge on the other for
cutting. They are used to split hard bricks.

9. 4. Jointer
A jointer is used to make mortar joints. There are three types of jointer shapes: flat, pointed and
rounded.

11. 5. Squares
Squares are used when constructing and measuring right angles and for corner layouts. They are usually
made of metal for durability.

12. 6. Mason’s Level
A mason’s level is used when establishing vertical or plumb lines and horizontal or level lines. They are
typically made of wood, metal, or a combination of both. They come equipped with either single or
double vials. The latter is preferred by more masons since they can be used for both horizontal and
vertical measurements.

13. 7. Straightedge
Straightedges act as extensors to mason’s levels: they are used when levels are shorter than the area
that needs to be measured or assessed. The middle section of the top of the straightedge must be
horizontally parallel to the bottom section. Widths of these tools range from 1 1/8 to 1 1/2 inches; they
can be as long as 16 feet.

14. 8. Plumb Bob
A plumb-bob or a plummet is a weight, usually with a pointed tip on the bottom, that is suspended
from a string and used as a vertical reference line, or plumb-line. It is essentially the vertical equivalent
of a "water level".
It is usually used to check the verticality of wall