Masonry Tools & Equipment in Scotts Valley, CA

Masonry tools cut, shape, lay, and finish materials like brick and concrete block, and they group into four categories for those tasks. A basic kit is a brick trowel for spreading mortar, a mason's hammer for splitting and rough shaping, a masonry chisel for clean cuts, a level for alignment, a mason's line for keeping courses straight, and a jointer for finishing. Using the wrong tool is where construction errors start, so ask before you improvise.

A brick trowel is used for scooping mortar off the board and spreading it onto brick and block during installation. Masonry trowels apply, spread, and shape mortar, and the brick trowel does the bulk of that work. A margin trowel is a small, square-tipped version for tight spots, while a pointing trowel is a smaller brick trowel used for repairing mortar joints.

A mason's hammer, also called a brick hammer, has a square, flat striking face on one end and a chisel on the other. The flat face sets and breaks units, while the chisel end splits brick and stone along a scored line. Pair it with a masonry chisel for cleaner cuts, and use a rubber mallet when adjusting a unit into place without damaging it.

Three tools. A mason's line stretched between corners gives a straight and level reference for each course of brick or block. A spirit level checks horizontal and vertical alignment as you go — a mason's level runs 36 to 48 inches, long enough to bridge several units. A plumb bob confirms vertical alignment on tall work where a level alone can drift. Chalk lines mark straight reference lines for the layout before the first unit goes down.

Finishing is what makes brickwork look professional. A jointer shapes and compresses mortar joints, which creates a weather-resistant seal as well as a clean line, and jointers come in different shapes for different joint profiles. A masonry brush cleans excess mortar off the face and smooths the finished joint. Do the finishing while the mortar is still workable — once it sets, the window has closed.

A mortar pan or mortar board holds mortar during application and keeps it within reach of the trowel, which is what makes a consistent spread possible. Mortar mixers blend sand, cement, lime, and water into uniform mortar on larger jobs, and a wheelbarrow moves mortar and heavy materials around a site.

Wear safety glasses or goggles to protect against flying debris, heavy-duty gloves to guard against sharp edges on cut brick and stone, and an N95 dust mask, as cutting masonry releases airborne dust you should not breathe. Steel-toe boots protect your feet around heavy units, and hearing protection is essential whenever a power saw is running.

We rent Sod Rollers and a Rock Dolly. Call ahead to reserve either one for your project.

Tell us and we'll hunt it down. Between what's on the shelf and what we can source, we rarely send anyone away empty-handed.