Getting mortar into a thin joint between already-placed units can be a difficult, messy and expensive operation. Some innovative companies, however, have developed equipment that eliminates much of the agony. This equipment comes in different levels of complexity and cost. The size and complexity of a project dictates which is most appropriate. The traditional and simplest way to point a masonry joint is to use a hawk--a hand-held steel plate upon which mortar is deposited. It's slightly easier getting mortar into a joint if you use a grout bag to deposit the mortar before tooling the joint. You can also use a hand-operated gun, similar to a caulking gun. The new Joint Master can place mortar between concrete, brick or stone pavers. It saves time on smaller jobs but requires frequent refilling and requires the mason to bend. For medium-sized projects, Quikpoint Inc. manufactures a Mortar Gun and a Lighting Grouter. Each is powered by a 110-volt drill motor. The Mortar Gun can be used to point or repoint walls. You can buy the Mortar Gun with or without the drill motor. For flatwork, the Lightning Grouter, lets the mason stand while filling joints. The motor is included. The most versatile and highest volume piece of equipment on the market for pointing or repointing is the Thin Line Pump on wheels with a short wand with the nozzle. This equipment can be used for pointing flatwork or glass block, and for repointing rehabilitation projects. Combined with a compressor and a spray gun, the Thin Line Pump can also spray mortar and texture coating.
