How to mix mortar | Using a 5 gallon bucket as a measuring cup
I was taught to add 25 “shovels” of sand to one 80lb bag of mortar... but a “shovel full” of sand can be vary wildly depending on the shovel and who’s using it! So a few years ago, in order to get more uniform mud mixes, we decided to measure out the recommended amount of sand and water using 5 gallon buckets, which we always seem to have around the job site, as giant measuring cups. This has worked really well and I want to show you the idea.
Here are the measurements we use for a whole batch:
4 - 5 gallon buckets of sand
1 - 80 lb bag of a-type mirror
1 -5 gallon bucket of water
Mix 5 minutes in mixer
Here are the ratios for 1/2 batch:
2 - 5 gallon buckets of sand
1/2 - bag of a-type mortar (40Lb)
1/2 - 5 gallon bucket of water
Mix in a wheelbarrow with shovel or hoe
The REAL instructions are 3 cubic feet of sand to 1 cubic foot of mortar, which is 80 lbs. So... another thing you could do is actually make a 1 cubic foot box out of plywood to measure the sand. Otherwise, four of the five gallon buckets full will get you very close if not exactly to the 3 cubic feet.
#mortar #mix #sand
Пікірлер: 72
Good point Eric! Sand holds a lot of water. Here's a tip from a SC 2004 1st place SkillsUSA masonry champ, don't stick your trowel in the mixer while it's running lol.
@scottsettlemyre3703
4 жыл бұрын
That's cool. Where are you located? I teach at South Caldwell High School in NC where I have had 2 National SkillsUSA Masonry Champions.
@algutierrez1503
4 жыл бұрын
@@scottsettlemyre3703 I live in Lexington, SC. I took masonry at the Lexington Technology Center. My instructor was Alonzo Lewis.
@dekonfrost7
2 жыл бұрын
@@algutierrez1503 a well known instuctor i seen him on youtube
@highwatercircutrider
Жыл бұрын
My tender stuck a wood handled shovel in my mortar mixer to clean the sides with it running. The mixer bit the shovel handle in half! I never had to yell at him again about sticking anything in a running mixer again! Bugaiski Construction, Michigan
Great informative video. I appreciate how you share your knowledge and not be cocky about it.
I laid some block this past summer and before doing so I did quite a bit of research on how to properly mix it. This video, though late for my project, is by far the best I have seen yet and will be of great value this next summer when I go to lay more. Thanks fellas.
Great Job Eric !! Been building custom homes my whole life & you guys do stuff the right way. Love the channel. Builder from southwest Missouri.
@PerkinsBuilderBrothers
4 жыл бұрын
Cheers from North Carolina! Thanks.
EXCELLENT VIDEO! I like how you put more info on the descriptions below.
Good stuff from Jamaica where we mix that stuff by hand with shovels.
thx man, striaght and to the point, no wasted words
Thanks man, about to start construction job for first time, trying to get the jist of it, this helps a lot!!
Great video I’ve been doing carpenter work my whole life I’ve never laid a single block I form the footings but the brick masons always lay the blocks thanks for the information maybe one day I be brave enough to lay a few
@drymoonproperties
4 жыл бұрын
It sucks! I prefer to build the forms and move on myself just don't like it don't mind flat work not crazy about it just don't care for it I prefer building and remodeling.
Coming in clutch with the videos! Paid a house mover to deliver stick built 2 bedroom house to my land in Carthage, NC. Crazy! Crazier is I’ve decided to build the foundation with no experience! I’m going to have a Topcon rotary laser, string, and rent a concrete mixer. What could go wrong with videos like these! No seriously - what could go wrong? I need to know before I blow it.. I’ll be using your other videos on block as well !
Ive been a mason for 20 years and i can say i've yet to see bricklayers etc cover the sand to keep it from bulking when they should. The result of not doing so will aid in different mortar colors. During hot summers I recommend cold water. That means no water barrels, and strung out hoses on concrete. Let the hose water cool the hose down before filling up your mixer. You should only charge (remix) mortar twice so be sure to make only what you'll use within 30 minutes or so. Masonry has pretty much ruined my joints and ligaments lol.
Folks , DO NOT DO WHAT HES DOING WHEN THE MIXER IS RUNNING = stick your hand with your trowel and get some mudd = VERY DANGEROUS = good way to lose your Arm.
I’m just now seeing this video, but you turned something extremely easy into something hard. All you gotta do is pour 1 and half or 2 buckets of water into the mixer then add 16 big shovel full of sandy and then add 2 bags of mortar let it mix and then add another 16 shovel full…. The hell with putting sand in a bucket!! Great way to get fired on the crew I work on.
Mud Man Always gets the grief‼️ AND the MESS‼️ So many variations about mixing Mortars- depending on what material being laid- block, brick, natural stone(and whether the application is “stick-on”, upright w/joints, stack w/joints or “Dry Stack”) or Artificial (man made) Stone and/or tile. Stone always uses less sand more Cement to make it more sticky. Artificial Stone, way less sand much more cement/sticky! Also, how windy it is combined with speed of Mason determines how wet mix should be and the # of Masons being supplied. Wind/sun/temperature can cause Mortars to set too fast. Metal Mud Box w/ larger Mud Hoe is how I was raised: normal day was “A••holes & Elbows” 30 to 40 hand mixes/ day suppling 4 to 5 Masons including setting up mud boards( the line), setting up scaffolding and keeping blocks set on end on the line so Mason just buttered the ears! 12” blocks are always back breakers. Brick about the same, just more of’em‼️Stone- all together different- more satisfying‼️ Love Y’all’s Expertise and Thank Yall for letting an old man relive the “good ol days” So Proud Of YALL ‼️ 🎄🍑🍑🍑🎁🍑🍑🍑🎄
Terimah kasih sudah berbagi 🙏 👍👍
Thanks man. Great video!
Great video
Great Video!
Good videos guys. Always learning little tips and tricks that are useful. Keep up the good work.
I just use Type-S Cement with no sand. Does the job!
@R900DZ
9 ай бұрын
Stronger to use it straight out the bag but they didn’t need it at full strength apparently.
Amazing ! Thank you !
I've seen alot of these videos no one sleeks there mud I usually shut the mixer off for five minutes and let it sit then fire it back up
Perfect video... Nailed every point about mud. Do you put lime.
@joetownsend-
4 жыл бұрын
Andrew Chamberlain: Type S already has lime and Portland added per Specifications. Good question though.
Can you do any cool tricks with the mud spatula?
Lol that mixer is not that bad I see worse around here for sale for 1500 and there beat to death lol that was a good buy
good tips. remember tho, that you can buy premixed bags with everything in one. then just add water. lates
@KevinDiaz-dq5iv
Жыл бұрын
Lazy
@MrTooTechnical
Жыл бұрын
I’m too important
Question: When do you use what kind of brick design. Where I live (Netherlands) we mostly use stone/ bricks without inner openings. What are the considerations for using what brick?
It only takes a second to lose an arm if your lucky. Why are you sticking your hand in a running mixer? the mixer should always be off before putting anything other then mixing material in it period. If you want to check the mix while the mixer is running pour a little into the wheelbarrow then check in there never in a running mixer never. I seen a mixer snap a brand new shovel handle in less then a second. If that mixer ever grabs you it may pull you inside. Don't ever put anything in the mixer when running. The human body is no match for flying or spinning steel!!! and yes I am telling you how to do your job I do it everyday.
@FullNelson007
2 жыл бұрын
Most mortar mixers have a lever that kick the paddles out of gear therefore allowing you to safely check. But honestly you should be able to check by sight not feel.
Why did I guess right that u were going to use a Sherwin Williams bucket
wow wow wow it's super soft like a cow pattie or super hard like a log jam from a week of vicodin without stool softeners.
What is the type S you’re using
You have wet mud just lay a longer bed of mortar. You want better mud by cement and lime separate better and cheaper.
just tried for the first time yesterday at age 51 and all I do is make a mess. can't get the consistency right. I don't understand why the mortar at the bottom doesn't keep getting flatter the heavier it gets. My blocks just sink and I'm just doing some block replacing
You forgot the up wind. LOL
Keep your hands and tools out of that mixer when it’s going! Had a kid on one of our jobs that didn’t listen to his fellow workers about that and he nearly had all his fingers ripped off. The pictures where pretty gross.
So to be clear even though the type s mortar bag says to just add water, I still need sand?
@R900DZ
9 ай бұрын
You don’t need it but they added it in their application because they probably didn’t need it at full strength.
Can I use beach sand?
What kind of sand is this
Do you recommend a plasticiser?
You look heaps like Colby Covington been trying to think of who it was and yea , Colby
Great job Perkins brothers! However I still like my way best let my guys do it while I do something else anything mortar/concrete etc I just don't enjoy. Lol hate how it messes my skin up worse than normal but I have Psoriasis pretty bad and it makes it even more painful even though I can do it well just not the fastest at it.
Do you guys have running water and electricity where you guys live probably the most scab outfit I've ever seen
Being from California it’s so crazy to me watching people setting a house foundation with CMU, especially not on a footer.
@MsElijah16
4 жыл бұрын
Robert Aylor what's CMU?
@Zak6959
4 жыл бұрын
Concrete masonry unit
@robertaylor9218
4 жыл бұрын
Elijah like zeal said “concrete masonry unit” proper term for a cinderblock.
@KevinNichols222
4 жыл бұрын
CMU is placed on top of footer and #4 rebar reinforcement added in the south.
@mikez4132
4 жыл бұрын
The footer is just washed over with dirt/clay. Its there.
Can I have a mason job?
Funny so primitive. When i need mud i call to hardware store and order a 2200lb bag Premixed mortar and only add some water it cost only $100/bag.
@marlboromatt5656
4 жыл бұрын
I had no idea a 2200LB bag of premix could be ordered . Where do you order it at?
Don't you all use fire clay?
@robertaylor9218
2 жыл бұрын
Fireclay isn’t typically in structural mortars. It’s used when heat resistance is important, so you add a little to your mud to set the firebox (not the whole fireplace, just the firebox), and to parge the smoke chamber.
U can always add water but can't take it out.
A for effort
Bro move the mixer closer to the sand lol 😅
All I seen was a good way to be inconsistent. And never stick your trowel in a mixer that’s on. 🤦♂️
Take a look at the video page gemack.nl and see how easy it is with the battery powered mortargun and mortarmixertap and see the video's