Customer Reviews

Masonry Skills (softcover)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

A text book aimed at persons studying to become professional masons. The writing is clear and readily understandable by professional and non professional alike. The technical information presented goes far beyond that found in most books in this field which are aimed at DIY and semi professional builders. It makes a wide range of tasks such as arch and fireplace construction accessible to anyone able to mix cement and position a brick.

I am a craftsman skilled in telephone, electrical and concrete work. Masonry is a new skill that I am working to acquire.

We renovate rental properties. Recently, we purchased several older properties which require substantial work. We are also adding space for bathrooms and laundry areas. The exterior of these properties is brick. We wish to use brick veneer for the addition to blend the addition into the original structure.

We understand the need to do things right the first time. I also have a great love for high quality craftsmanship. This book emphasizes both.

The book is well written and illustrated. The information is applicable to masons working for large contractors or mom and pop shops. The author coaches the reader and describes how to develop job skills. The author also warns the reader of potential problems and how to avoid them.

The experienced masons that I work with have also learned from this book.

I've been a mason for 15 years. And there are alot of benefits to the brick portion of the book. But the impression they leave, which is why I bought the book in the first place, lacked. Their blueprint reading section leaves much to be desired. Granted it does show some symbols, but it never explains what those symbols are or how they are used in a commercial setting. I was also under the impression that I was getting the 5th ed. and was sent the 4th edition. I don't know how much more they updated their book, but the block they use in their pictures, and the legends they use for the prints are way out of date. Perhaps they were masons in the 1950's or something. I really wouldn't recommend this book unless you know nothing about masonry, block, brick or print reading. But if you are green, this book is for you. You could build something successfully by the instructions of this book. But if you are serious about progressing in masonry as a career...find another book.

DIY books usually skip fundamentals, as they are often intended simply to persuade DIY'ers to hire contractors instead of actually educating them about a skill set. In contrast, this book is a conventional textbook, what you would likely find in your local vo-tech school, all the basics and history of the tradecraft. You won't find this book at Home Depot or local bookstore.
Reading this book will not make you a mason, but it should help you be a less-bad DIY'er. It should also help you better appreciate the range of factors that affect masonry job estimates, and make you a better masonry customer when DIY is not a reasonable option. I did a tiny 20-block drainage pit rebuild after reviewing this book, and it definitely improved the quality of my work.
Very cheap on the reused market, this book would have been a bargain at twice the price.

For a used book, this was in very good shape. Thanks for the quick delivery too!

I need to build a stone wall and stone patio, stone walk way and a stone trail path, so I choose this book, but I find this book is a thorough brick textbook, even someone called a stone masonry master book. What a dispointing!! Be careful when you choose this book!