Masonry Magazine July 2006 Page. 26
MASONRY TOOLS
"A lot of us have made tools. A lot of them were cumbersome and crude, but they work."
-Wally Bertschinger of Bertschinger Masonry LLC
Never Lose Another Tape
With a Magtite V2 magnetic tape holster clipped to a mason's belt, the accompanying tape measure won't be going anywhere until the mason is ready. Three magnetic "hooks" on the tape and holster have a holding power of 40 lbs. Or, the mason can simply give the tape a slight downward turn for the patented "twist and release" system to let go of the tape. When finished, the tape snaps right back onto the holder.
"The biggest thing with tapes is that clipping them to your pants is a pain in the neck," said Bob Cumings, president and owner of Prazi USA in Plymouth, Mass. "The nice thing about this is its ease of use. And it won't rip up your pants."
With its magnetic back, the tape will also grip steel surfaces for quick and easy storage when a mason's hands are full. The clip and tape system ($20-$25) also includes a pencil holder.
For more information, visit www.praziusa.com.
Holdin' the Line
WHEN 30-YEAR masonry veteran Wally Bertschinger of Bertschinger Masonry LLC teamed up with Wayne H. Fjerstad, a 30-year engineering veteran, the Rochester, Minn., pair developed an innovative tool for running straight lines of mason's string.
"A lot of us have made tools. A lot of them were cumbersome and crude, but they work," Bertschinger said. "This tool is very simple. What makes it unique is it's not cumbersome. You can carry several in your pocket. It's light and easy to carry."
The LineHolder (about $1 each) is placed on blocks or bricks for a straight line. It will work for inside corners, 45-degree corners, "T" intersections and block changes. It will also work on any brick or block with a hole.
"It performs in applications where traditional methods of holding a mason's line will not work," Fjerstad said. "It's simple and has no parts to break or lose."
"Most masons who have used it say it's a tool they prefer," Bertschinger said. His cousin, a mason for 34 years, said the tool is overdue. "He said to me,
Quality Tools for the Professional Mason
From trowels to mason line, Bon has the widest selection of Masonry Tools for the professional craftsman.
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