OK, ][en, you started it, so let's go to the next argument.

It seems to me that almost all the issues you talk about are good reasons to 
specify and use prebagged mortars. You don't like sand blends, so don't blend 
the sands yourself. Your mixing laborer occasionally leaves out the binder 
(and who knows how often he actually gets everything in correctly), so don't 
let him add anything but water. Most of the time you can't be bothered to get 
exactly the right mortar, and you'll use something that you think is close 
enough - so don't be bothered, just get a bag of the right stuff and you won't 
have to be bothered thinking about it.

The only problem that it doesn't solve is that you have to think about what 
you're going to need 5-10 working days before you get into the pickup truck 
and decide to go repointing today.

So I'll ask you your own question: Which of these problems is the more 
important one?

Mike E
---------- Original Message -----------
From: Gabriel Orgrease <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Mon, 9 Apr 2007 12:42:09 -0100
Subject: Re: [BP] my dog can beat up your pony


> 
> IMHO in NYC a 1:1:6 Portland:Type S lime, mason's sand works just fine 
> in most situations as 1) it can be purchased today without special 
> order and thrown in the PU truck just fine, 2) all the repointers know 
> what they are working with so we do not have to re-educate them, 3) in 
> most cases it won't make any significant difference to the structural 
> integrity of the building, and 4) you as the architect may be able to 
> sleep because you have a clear context as to the expected performance -
>  even if it is not perfect - 
> 
> I was complaining last week about an architect who specified the mix 
> of 5 different sands in a mortar, sands from different suppliers, in 
> order to obtain a very specific proportion of sizes of sands in the 
> mortar recipe. It can all get out of hand rather quickly. Matters were 
> compounded by the fact that the new hire on the job from Queens who 
> said he was a mason's helper did not know that you put anything 
> besides water in with the sand in the mixer. He was using a non-cement 
> mortar... which I suppose goes along with the least invasive mortar 
> you can get. Which of these problems is the more important one?
> 

--
To terminate puerile preservation prattling among pals and the
uncoffee-ed, or to change your settings, go to:
<http://listserv.icors.org/archives/bullamanka-pinheads.html>