Questions you'd like answering, regardless of how trivial they may seem

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Location
Widnes
WHen we had the garden "done" the brickies used a whizzy thing with a cutting blade to reshape any blocks and bricks they needed to

In "the old days" they used to use experience and talent to weird a special chisel and a hammer to split it in exactly the right way

Same to the flags they were laying
I mentioned it to the boss - he said this way is far easier and more accurate
but he misses the days when it took skill and experience!
 
There was/is also a brick hammer, which has a long curved bill as well as a short square hammer face, thus combining hammer and chisel in one. I'm only a DIYer, but I found the quality of the brick had a major impact on how effective the brick hammer was. In the end I turned to a disc cutter for my jobs. Makes a lot of red dust in the cutting area, and I found I had to dunk the bricks to wash the dust off, but the brickwork ends up neater.
 
Location
Widnes
There was/is also a brick hammer, which has a long curved bill as well as a short square hammer face, thus combining hammer and chisel in one. I'm only a DIYer, but I found the quality of the brick had a major impact on how effective the brick hammer was. In the end I turned to a disc cutter for my jobs. Makes a lot of red dust in the cutting area, and I found I had to dunk the bricks to wash the dust off, but the brickwork ends up neater.

I saw a programme about brick laying once

The expert was showing 2 different arches made of brick

One was made with every motor segment the same width and the same width from top to bottom
but every brick was trimmed with a proper brick hammer to be slightly angled on each side
He said it was "the proper way" and much stronger

but it was something people only ever did at college when learning

Every arch built with bricks was angled by varying the amount of mortar between the brichs at the top and bottom

apparently
 

DaveReading

Don't suffer fools gladly (must try harder!)
Location
Reading, obvs
I saw a programme about brick laying once

The expert was showing 2 different arches made of brick

One was made with every motor segment the same width and the same width from top to bottom
but every brick was trimmed with a proper brick hammer to be slightly angled on each side
He said it was "the proper way" and much stronger

but it was something people only ever did at college when learning

Every arch built with bricks was angled by varying the amount of mortar between the brichs at the top and bottom

apparently
I'm surprised there isn't a market for wedge-shaped bricks specifically designed for bridges.
 

glasgowcyclist

Charming but somewhat feckless
Location
Scotland
Why is it called Countdown?

Surely it should either be called Countup or the giant clock should, you know, count down.

They could keep the name and simply turn the clock upside down.
 
OP
OP
Accy cyclist

Accy cyclist

Legendary Member
This vehicle delivers its wares to the garage/MOT centre across the road every week. Do mechanics tools wear out very quickly, seeing as it seems that particular mechanic buys tools every week.🤔

20260501_145335.jpg


20260501_145356.jpg
 

DRM

Guru
Location
West Yorks
This vehicle delivers its wares to the garage/MOT centre across the road every week. Do mechanics tools wear out very quickly, seeing as it seems that particular mechanic buys tools every week.🤔

View attachment 806921

View attachment 806922

They don't buy tools every week, the Snap On man comes round for money, as the mechanics buy tools on the never, never, as they're so expensive, and the Snap On Man hopes to sell them something else too, that's why all the mechanics hide when he turns up!
Edit: Just to give you an idea of cost
https://shop.snapon.com/product/Qui...2")/25PC-1-2"DR-SOCKET-WRENCH-SET/BLPGSSM1225
Now you know why it costs so much to service/repair cars
 
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OP
Accy cyclist

Accy cyclist

Legendary Member
They don't buy tools every week, the Snap On man comes round for money, as the mechanics buy tools on the never, never, as they're so expensive, and the Snap On Man hopes to sell them something else too, that's why all the mechanics hide when he turns up!
Edit: Just to give you an idea of cost
https://shop.snapon.com/product/Qui...2")/25PC-1-2"DR-SOCKET-WRENCH-SET/BLPGSSM1225
Now you know why it costs so much to service/repair cars

407 quid! Couldn't they buy such an item cheaper elsewhere?
 
OP
OP
Accy cyclist

Accy cyclist

Legendary Member
They don't buy tools every week, the Snap On man comes round for money, as the mechanics buy tools on the never, never, as they're so expensive, and the Snap On Man hopes to sell them something else too, that's why all the mechanics hide when he turns up!
Edit: Just to give you an idea of cost
https://shop.snapon.com/product/Quick-Release-Ratchets-(Blue-Point)-(1-2")/25PC-1-2"DR-SOCKET-WRENCH-SET/BLPGSSM1225
Now you know why it costs so much to service/repair cars
There's one here for £4.99! Surely it'll be the same quality as the £407 one!😁
Putentfun 46PCS 1/4" Drive Socket Wrench Set With Ratchet, Bit Socket, Metric and Extension Bar for DIY, Car Repair and Household - Storage Case Included : Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools https://share.google/7k4Zsabx4sQSRozZ5
 
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OP
Accy cyclist

Accy cyclist

Legendary Member
Hey, he leaves the van doors open for quite a while while he's in the garage! He must trust folk around here as if he did that in Accrington the van would be stripped bare when he came out the garage!🙄😏
 
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