Unpopular take: mixing mortar by hand is better than using a mixer

I've been laying brick for 12 years now and I swear by hand mixing. Last week on a job in Denver, my buddy Jeff brought out his fancy mixer and the mortar ended up way too airy. Three years ago I tried a mixer for a big wall and had to redo 20 ft of it because the consistency was off. Has anyone else found that hand mixing gives you way more control over the slump?

2 comments

2 Comments

robin_wright6d ago

Didn't Jeff learn his lesson after that time his mixer clogged up with half-set mud?

lee7336d ago

Are you saying you actually agree with Robin Wright on this? I used to think Jeff was just being overly cautious with the mud ratios, but after seeing how that mixer seized up I changed my mind completely. You can tell he tried to rush through the whole job without checking the consistency first. @robin_wright is right to point out that it was a pretty obvious mistake in hindsight. Once that stuff starts to set in the drum, you're basically stuck with a fifty pound paperweight. I bet he won't make that same error again.