The Best Bricklayer Tools for an Apprentice

Are you an apprentice brickie, or maybe thinking of becoming one? Being a bricklayer apprentice gives you a solid foundation for your bricklaying career path.

As promoted by the Australian Brick and Blocklaying training foundation “Bricklaying may suit a young person keen to start working but who is yet to identify a clear idea of their direction – in as little as 3 years in most States, this apprenticeship provides  a launching pad to other construction careers for those who want to advance.”

An apprentice can look to earn around $587.41 a week in the first year, with pay increasing as you gain more experience. And with this valuable life-skill under your belt, what then? The world’s your oyster. Literally.

If you’ve chosen bricklaying as your new career, then you’ll need a set of tools to get the job done. From trowels to hammers and string, keep reading for the best bricklayer tools you’ll need as an apprentice.

Trowel

A builders trowel is the first tool of choice for any aspiring brickie. You’ll be using your trowel day in, day out, so you need to make sure it’s of good quality and built to last.

The name Marshalltown means quality in the bricklaying and masonry world, which is why we sell them as part of our bricklaying apprentice pack. Forged from a single piece of high-grade tool steel, the tapered blade has strength and flexibility for maximum precision and accuracy.

Masonry Scutch Hammer

Another of the bricklayer tools you’ll need is a masonry hammer. Masonry or scutch hammers are different from the regular kind in your DIY toolbox because they have a hammer end and a chisel end.

The chisel-end of the hammer is used by brickies to split bricks down into different sizes. Learning to use this specialized tool will take a bit of practice, but during your apprenticeship, you’ll learn to use it like a pro.

Spirit Level

For your walls to be laid straight, you’ll need a spirit level. Spirit levels are one of the most important bricklayer tools in your arsenal because the quality of your work depends on them.

You’ll want a long and heavy-duty level as you’ll be using yours an awful lot. Stabila levels are of quality German design and are commonly used by bricklayers all over the world. Look for a level with removable end-caps, and multiple vials for lasting accuracy.

Builders String Line and Pins

One of the top bricklaying techniques you’ll be taught during your apprenticeship is the skilled use of builders line and line pins. Once wrapped around the pins and placed at each end of your brickwork, builders line will help you to gain speed in your bricklaying.

Builders string acts in a similar way to a spirit level but provides a continuous visible level for you to work to. Your line and pins will be used over and over again throughout your working day and more.

Make sure your string line is made of a high-stretch, anti-rot fiber like nylon. Line pins should be strong and durable, and it helps to have a large head for attaching the string easily and to keep it in place.

Jointer

A jointer is used to check and finish the joints in your brickwork. The tool will help you check you’ve got the correct amount of mortar between your bricks, to prevent problems later on.

Jointers come in different shapes and sizes to help you finish both horizontal and vertical joints on various sizes of brickwork. You can also use jointers to create finishes when laying pavements, for example.

Measuring Tape and Steel Ruler

A measuring tape is another essential tool for your kit. It may seem obvious, but measuring tapes are vital for checking the length of your walls and brickwork, and you’ll find yourself reaching for yours throughout the day.

A tape with a metallic tip will help you secure it against metallic surfaces. You’ll want to get one with a lock, so your tape is secured firmly in place while you’re using it.

Plugging Chisel

If you want to remove mortar from brickwork, you’ll need a plugging chisel to do it. This is one of the pointing tools for brickwork that you’ll learn to use during your bricklaying apprenticeship.

You’ll need a durable chisel that can stand up to a lot of use. Tools with a fluted end will prevent the chisel from jamming, and look for a quality striking-end that will be easy to find and use with your hammer.

Brush

There are no two ways about it – laying bricks is messy work, and that’s part of the fun! Still, it’s important to clean up any stray mortar and residue that’s near or around your new brickwork.

You’ll need to periodically brush down your walls and clean up around you, so keep a brush in your toolbox for tidy walls and happy clients.

Gloves

Mortar is alkaline, and it can burn your skin. To keep your hands safe though, there’s an easy solution – wear gloves.

The right work gloves will protect your skin from unnecessary contact with liquid mortar. It will also allow any brick or mortar chippings to bounce off.

Look for quality gloves that are high-density yet lightweight, so they will stay intact during your heavy-duty, hands-on job.

Eye Protection

As a bricklayer, you’ll often be working in the heat of the Aussie sun. You might be itching to be outdoors, but you’ll need to stay protected. The sun’s UV radiation can cause eye damage, so stay savvy with proper eye protection and you’ll be okay.

A pair of safety glasses with UV protection is a must. You’ll also need to carry eye protection, especially for any pointing work you do. With pointing, there’s always the risk of stray pieces of debris flying into your eyes when you’re removing old mortar from a structure.

Bricklayer Tools for Any Brickie Apprentice

It’s easy to see why you’d want to be a brickie. Bricklaying is a fun and satisfying career, and you get a real sense of accomplishment at the end of – and even during – a project. From party walls to houses, to palaces – a bricklayer is at the heart of all of them.

Before you start your bricklaying apprenticeship, make sure you kit yourself out with the bricklayer tools you need to learn the trade.

Check out our bricklaying apprentice pack. All you need to do is show us proof of your apprenticeship and we provide you with an extra special price. A workman’s only as good as his tools, so make sure you get the right tools and the best quality you can afford.

Are you a fully-fledged brickie but feel like you’ve lost your edge? Check out our top tips for improving your brick laying technique.