marshalltown line blocks

[NickB_99]

Hello all,

Firstly. apologies in advance for such a basic question!

I need to build a brick back step at home, and I want to use it as trial to have a go at a VERY small bricklaying project.
(I realise for such a small project, it's probably overkill, but would like to familiarise myself with the tools, mortar mix etc for future).

I've bought a marshalltown line block set (pic below) to help provide a straight line. But they don't come with any instructions

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• NickB_99
• 24 Aug 2011
• 1

I can see the grooves down the middle (I had assumed to channel the Line) but I thought the idea was to get a line at the same height as the corner bricks, but about 1 or 2mm to the side of the facing side.
It doesn't seem immediately obvious how you'd use these
No idea how the plastic strips on the left hand side are used either!

Marshalltown certainly has a good reputation in the plastering world, so I thought there was a good chance they were widely used.

Thanks in advance.

 

[^woody^]

In your picture, push the top one over so it flat, then the line runs down the middle, and out the RH side and then you wrap it around the thick section

Sit the block on the corner and the line will run along the brick arris

Those flat strips seem to be tingles to support the middle of the line on a really long stretch. You probably wont need these

 

[NickB_99]

In your picture, push the top one over so it flat, then the line runs down the middle, and out the RH side and then you wrap it around the thick section

Sit the block on the corner and the line will run along the brick arris

Thanks for a prompt reply woody.

The pic below is an attempt - it puts the string in the right place, but doesn't seem to like being tensioned. It pulls the block out of alignment.
Have I got it right ?

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• NickB_99
• 24 Aug 2011
• 1

(edit - add pic this time)
I could live with it as-is, but probably need to stick a strip of duct tape over it to hold it in place or put a spare brick on top to weight it down. I'd probably disturb it when laying otherwise!

 

[^woody^]

No that is wrong

The block goes on the side of the brick not the top, but more importantly it goes on the side between two courses of brick and effectively in line with the mortar joint, and you tweek it so that the line is in-line with the top edge of the brick

Also the line runs down the middle of the block, not as you have it on the edge

Is there nothing on Google images or YouTube. Its hard to explain

 

[stuart45]

The line should run down the groove in the centre. It's wrong at the moment.

 

[stuart45]

hope this helps

 

[^woody^]

Here we go .....

Block with line through it

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• ^woody^
• 24 Aug 2011
• 1

Line through block and wrapped around end

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• ^woody^
• 24 Aug 2011
• 1

On wall

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• ^woody^
• 24 Aug 2011
• 1

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• ^woody^
• 24 Aug 2011
• 1

 

[NickB_99]

Here we go .....

Block with line through it

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• ^woody^
• 24 Aug 2011
• 1

Line through block and wrapped around end

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• ^woody^
• 24 Aug 2011
• 1

On wall

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• ^woody^
• 24 Aug 2011
• 1

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• ^woody^
• 24 Aug 2011
• 1

Thanks Stuart & Woody - pics help a lot, had misunderstood.
Had a quick look on YouTube - nothing obvious.
Keeping the line in the middle makes sense - can support some tension then.

I had another go - but then had to stop before posting as tea was ready!

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• NickB_99
• 24 Aug 2011
• 1

There is one final question I need to clear up - from seeing videos on YouTube laying bricks.... my understanding is the string aligns on the top edge of the course being laid.
So in the incomplete pic above, the course you would be laying would actually be the one in this case directly below the block?
Otherwise I'm thinking the line block would only half overlap on the course being laid. Hope that description makes sense!

 

[stuart45]

Here we go .....




There is one final question I need to clear up - from seeing videos on YouTube laying bricks.... my understanding is the string aligns on the top edge of the course being laid.
So in the incomplete pic above, the course you would be laying would actually be the one in this case directly below the block?
!

The bricks are laid slightly back from the line. Build up your corners first, then set up the line and blocks, lifting the blocks as you go.

 

[NickB_99]

The bricks are laid slightly back from the line. Build up your corners first, then set up the line and blocks, lifting the blocks as you go.

Cheers, think I have it now

Stuart/Woody - many thanks for all your help