I doing some pointing on the roof and the chimney looks FOKED!

[golf-sib]

fvck the formula. i'd have used a 1:1 mix 

+1 I've always been told 1:1 for a good job, I've got to do some brick laying soon as well 

Who told you that?

A good friend of my dads, his a surveyor by trade and the guy that's doing plans for my extension. What's wrong with the philosophy? I'm not a bricklayer by trade and its always good to learn/be corrected.

[clipperjay]

1:1 mix but people forget sharp sand should be mixed in aswell depends what you are doing?
That guide on mixes is not bad TBF. Some mixes are too strong and some too weak both end up cracking or not bonding all I know is I'm not bloody doing this again for another 10 years if not longer.
Did some more pointing on the front drive wall came out good!
I showed the pictures to my builder mate he told me take them off wait until I come its gonna leak!
I said why he said the coping tiles are too close together and could run water down instead of around?
I still have some paving steps in the garden that need pointing so I'm doing other stuff and wait until a mate can come down to guide me like someone said I'm not fixing a mini 

[The Mighty Elvi]

Get yourself one of these Jay.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efRAFS3ty44

[clipperjay]

Thats quite clever £30 not bad most pro will just tell me to Fk off if I took them along for job interview 
The DIY market is booming as money is tight and TBF its a accurate tool indeed! 

[bob23]

fvck the formula. i'd have used a 1:1 mix 

+1 I've always been told 1:1 for a good job, I've got to do some brick laying soon as well 

Who told you that?

A good friend of my dads, his a surveyor by trade and the guy that's doing plans for my extension. What's wrong with the philosophy? I'm not a bricklayer by trade and its always good to learn/be corrected.

Nothing wrong with the philosophy if you want the cement to crack and fall out in a couple of years, that's assuming it doesn't dry too quick and crack in the first place from being too strong.

My landlord is a bricklayer, I used to be a labourer, never mixed stronger than 3:1 and most cases 5:1, just causes problems if it's mixed too strong.

[clipperjay]

Havent been around lads the house was falling down had to buy two catlincs to support the roof and its been nightmare I'll post some pictures 

[Dave_IOW]

3:1 on that..

I'm a stonemason and use hydraulic lime alot, thats when strengths/drying times really matter.. Costs 3 times as much too.

[danny_p]

Get yourself one of these Jay.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efRAFS3ty44

there arnt all that tbh    used one once  never boteherd again

[clipperjay]

Still building the top on the roof we had to remove beams and about four levels of bricks plus all plaster boards and plaster being removed and re done. He junked my electrics because they were dangerous and re wired the extention hiding the wires behind new plaster making new junctions and hanging new lights!
TBF they are my mates and the chimnney stacks have been redone even the paving slabs in the back are being reset.
Four days of solid building I never expected it ordered about £800 of materials to do the job and the ld don't want paying due to lack of money! 1ton sand, 1ton cement, plaster, plaster boards everything!
I think in reality I owe them about 2K worth of labour , but they are bloody good builders its what they do all day long!
Learning alot and have to say I have new found respect for what they do! 
   

[justalex81]

after all this that pump will give up now