Masonry Magazine May 2009 Page. 27
The New Improved Quikpoint Drill-Mate Mortar Gun
★ Tuckpointing
★ Paving
★ Stonework
★ Tile
★ Thin Brick
★ Cultured Stone
★ Steel Casements
★ All types of masonry joints
Melvin Mancia (Mason Forman)
Job: The John Winthrop School, Dorchester, Ma.
Just scoop mortar into the three quart capacity hopper, pull the trigger on the drill and a continuous controlled bead of mortar can be applied, up to five times faster than conventional pointing methods, to any masonry application.
Quikpoint, Inc. 23 B Bradford St., Concord, Ma. 01742 USA
Phone: 978-371-3267 Fax: 978-371-2292 Toll Free USA: 800-388-2292
Web: www.quikpoint.com E-Mail: sales@quikpoint.com
READER SERVICE #165
"People who see it are amazed," he says. "I had a mason come up to me and say, "You're going to put me out of business because anybody can do this" I said to him, "No, I'm going to increase your business. I'm going to get you into markets you couldn't get into."
Kemp says the price of masonry turns away some potential clients, who end up using a less expensive material. Systems like Suretouch have a lower price point than traditional bricks and blocks, opening the door to new business.
Quick installation block
COMPANIES THAT OFFER block systems say they can save mason contractors time and money by making installation fast and easy. Kemp says the Suretouch system, currently available in Canada and scheduled for release in the United States this summer, can be installed twice as fast as other masonry walls.
"It has the traditional look of hand-crafted masonry, like real stone, in roughly half the time it would take to put up a stone wall," he says.
Azar Mortarless Block Inc., in Tecumseh, Ontario, Canada, has a dry-stack block system that interlocks horizontally and vertically. Once mason contractors set the first course, the rest of the block simply stack and lock together.
"The key to success is significant savings in time and labor," says Glen Ross, director of marketing and sales for Azar. "You can save money with construction. You only need one or two masons and the rest can be unskilled labor. The walls go up quickly, with less skilled labor."
The system consists of three blocks: a stretcher, a full corner, and a half corner. Once the wall is constructed, the block cores are filled.
"It's time for masons, especially with a downturn in the economy, to embrace mortarless and save time and money," he says.
Lindsay Barto, district sales manager for Angelus Block Co. Inc. in Fontana, Calif., says his company offers a freestanding masonry wall and retaining wall system, called Proto II Wall System, which uses post tension construction. The wall and footing are compressed together, so they act as a single unit, Barto says.
"The cost savings depend on the wind load of the wall, but there are substantial savings with this system," he says.
www.masonrymagazine.com
TROW & HOLDEN MASONRY SET
CARBIDE MASONRY SET
$209
A great value and includes a Trow & Holden t-shirt!
Our new Carbide Masonry Set includes three of our most versatile stoneworking tools.
* The carbide-tipped Stone Buster, our newest hammer, gives you a splitting tool and a striking hammer in one tool. Comes with a 16" wood handle or substitute a fiberglass handle for an additional $12.
* The 2" carbide-tipped blade Mason's Chipper is perfect for light trimming or squaring stone. The steeply angled blade and beveled carbide tip make it easier to see your work.
* The 1" stock carbide-tipped Hand Point will be the workhorse of your tool set. Use it to rough out and remove high spots, which will help extend the life of your wider-blade carbide tools.
MADE TO LAST IN BARRE, VERMONT
TROW & HOLDEN COMPANY
FINE STONEWORKING TOOLS
45 South Main Street Barre Vermom 05641
Toll-Free 1-800-451-4349 In Vermont call 476-7221
Call for a free catalog or visit: www.trowandholden.com
READER SERVICE #167
May 2009 MASONRY 25