Hello!
I've been thinking about building an elevated planting bench (preferably with brick) inside my greenhouse. I have never done masonry in my life and wonder how difficult it really is? What do I need to consider, etc.?
Hoping for a quick response.
/Diana
I've been thinking about building an elevated planting bench (preferably with brick) inside my greenhouse. I have never done masonry in my life and wonder how difficult it really is? What do I need to consider, etc.?
Hoping for a quick response.
/Diana
The trade school has a film specifically about masonry, though I assume it deals with Lecablock and not brick, but there shouldn't be a big difference.
Check if your library has a copy of the trade school series that you can borrow, I'm not sure if you can buy individual episodes or if you have to purchase the whole series.
- M
Check if your library has a copy of the trade school series that you can borrow, I'm not sure if you can buy individual episodes or if you have to purchase the whole series.
- M
Personally, I think brick is easier. It absorbs moisture from the mortar much faster, causing it to set much quicker, which makes it much easier when it starts to reach some height. The only thing that is difficult is the mixing if you can even say that it is difficult. Mix for at least 20-25 minutes in the tumbolan and not too dry. Good luck!
I have done very little masonry, but nonetheless realized the importance of certain things and clearly declared at home that I will not be doing any more masonry! Respect for masons 
As several have written, ensure that the mixture has the right consistency for what you're building. I don't know how to find this out other than by asking someone who knows. Next best is to mix as it says on the bag, and when we amateurs think we're done mixing, mix a little more ;-) (have cursed many times when the mixture has a consistency that is anything but good for the purpose)
Get (buy/borrow/rent) either a cement mixer or an electric hand mixer intended for mortar mixing. Don't burn out your or the neighbor's drill. (been there, done that) and don't mix by hand unless your partner is a chiropractor.
Make sure to measure and plan properly beforehand! Feel free to draw every stone on graph paper.
Make a good foundation. (that's something I succeeded with)
Set up stakes with strings between them to have something to go by for each course. Unless, of course, you want the wall to be a bit wavy. (picturesque said my nice friend)
Use the level, again, and again, and again, measure both horizontally, vertically, and diagonally. (speaking from personal experience, it turned out crooked anyway ;-)
Borrow/buy some decent book on the subject and read up a bit, there's a lot of sensible information in them.
Provide yourself with plenty of time and don't give up. It is surely fun to build if you don't have to finish on time.
As several have written, ensure that the mixture has the right consistency for what you're building. I don't know how to find this out other than by asking someone who knows. Next best is to mix as it says on the bag, and when we amateurs think we're done mixing, mix a little more ;-) (have cursed many times when the mixture has a consistency that is anything but good for the purpose)
Get (buy/borrow/rent) either a cement mixer or an electric hand mixer intended for mortar mixing. Don't burn out your or the neighbor's drill. (been there, done that) and don't mix by hand unless your partner is a chiropractor.
Make sure to measure and plan properly beforehand! Feel free to draw every stone on graph paper.
Make a good foundation. (that's something I succeeded with)
Set up stakes with strings between them to have something to go by for each course. Unless, of course, you want the wall to be a bit wavy. (picturesque said my nice friend)
Use the level, again, and again, and again, measure both horizontally, vertically, and diagonally. (speaking from personal experience, it turned out crooked anyway ;-)
Borrow/buy some decent book on the subject and read up a bit, there's a lot of sensible information in them.
Provide yourself with plenty of time and don't give up. It is surely fun to build if you don't have to finish on time.
Hello!
Here are some links that might be suitable.
mura med marksten.
http://www.dinbyggare.com/artiklar/artikel.asp?docid=107
Muraren språk
http://www.dinbyggare.se/artiklar/artikel.asp?docid=177
Mura med leca
http://se.maxit-cms.com/media/22/pdf/gds/mura.pdf
Here are some links that might be suitable.
mura med marksten.
http://www.dinbyggare.com/artiklar/artikel.asp?docid=107
Muraren språk
http://www.dinbyggare.se/artiklar/artikel.asp?docid=177
Mura med leca
http://se.maxit-cms.com/media/22/pdf/gds/mura.pdf