Removing cement from bricks

[Programmer]

Is there any less time-consuming way of removing thick deposits of cement from bricks other than via a hammer and chisel? I don't want to 'clean' them as such (with acids etc), just remove the major deposits of cement from the bricks. Any ideas appreciated.

[DavidG]

Go to bunnings with $79 and buy the dynalink rotary hammer drill.
Take it home.
Get a long extension lead and plug the hammer drill in.
Insert the chisel bit.
Switch the drill to hammer only.
Apply chisel to the cement and switch on.
Watch the cement fly.
PS WEAR SAFETY GOGGLES 8-)

[Marc]

Well the above is a possibility but...I have 2 bang bang drills to choose from but when I had to clean brick I chose to do it with the appropriate hand tool for the job. (not sure of its name) it looks like a funny long hammer and has a slot to fit in a sort of hardened "comb" that chisels away the mortar. Certainly a long process but less tiring than holding up 2 or 3 kilos of vibrating drill.

Next best solution to hand chiseling, is to hire a brick cleaner from Kennards. A breeze to use. Plug in, pick up brick, rub on little hammers on the machine, no more mortar.

[Programmer]

Thanks to you both. It's an awful day in Melbourne so I might take a browse around Bunnies.

[Cliff Rogers]

Tis called a bolster.
Try just using another brick...
wear gloves, pick a dodgy looking brick, & use it to knock & scrap the motar off the good bricks.

[Barry_White]

Well the above is a possibility but...I have 2 bang bang drills to choose from but when I had to clean brick I chose to do it with the appropriate hand tool for the job. (not sure of its name) it looks like a funny long hammer and has a slot to fit in a sort of hardened "comb" that chisels away the mortar. Certainly a long process but less tiring than holding up 2 or 3 kilos of vibrating drill.

Next best solution to hand chiseling, is to hire a brick cleaner from Kennards. A breeze to use. Plug in, pick up brick, rub on little hammers on the machine, no more mortar.It is called a scutch hammer. And the combs are called scutch combs.

Cliff

A bolster is like a big wide cold chisel either 2 inches wide or 4 inches wide.

[jow104]

If you can afford the water, those high pressure washers can do some damage, then you can perhaps clean up with the bolster.

[Barry_White]

That will depend on whether it is lime mortor or cement mortor.

[MarkV]

Just go and buy some new cement . It will be a lot easier.:D :D You can't recycle everything you know;)

[Programmer]

Err, new cement? Whatever gave you the impression I want to recycle the cement?

Thanks again all. My fav c/chisel tends to work quicker than a bolster. Then again, my bolster work isn't to Olympic standard. I don't like the idea of h/pressure water, we certainly can't afford it here at present Woody.

[IanA]

I have to assume it is lime mortar. If it's cement mortar you've bitten off more than you can chew. (Maybe chewing it off would work as well as anything else.)

I've used a tomahawk for this job in the past. Quicker than a hammer and bolster.

If the mortar is a bit stubborn just set that brick aside and come back to it later. You should be able to clean each brick with only a few chops, including the ends.

An el-cheapo tomahawk from the junk shop is fine for this job. Just re-shape it on the grinder when you need to improve the edge.

Two safety tips. Wear eye protection and keep your thumb out of the way.

[Pat]

How about an angle grinder with a good quality masonry grinding disc. A lot quicker than hammer & chisel/bolster etc. Just wear a dusk mask and ear/eye protection.

[vsquizz]

Go the brick cleaner from the hire place

[rsser]

Like Pat says. I've done hundreds with an angle grinder; just takes a light touch coming in from the side.

[scooter]

Nice one MarkV :p


Programmer, If you go the angle grinder for the stubborn ones, how about buying one of those $17 dollar ones from Bunnings instead of buggering up your good 'un; and use the cheapo diamond wheels.

Cheers...........Sean

[Wombat2]

I hand cleaned 22,000 bricks with a tomahawk ( not the same one -wore out about a dozen or so) The old house they came from had an extension added at some time and they had used lime mortar - that was a bugger to get off but the original old stuff would come off in sheets with one blow when hit 'just right'

[jags]

you can get different size hard wire brushes that fit onto an angle grinder they are ideal for this kind of job . though i do love my Ozito hammer drill which would also do the job ,
best of luck
rob

[echnidna]

tomahawk works real well

[Brickie]

A 4 year old thread, I assume the bricks would be well and truly clean by now..:p

[echnidna]

:d

[ian]

so the thread's 4 years old ...

if you have a lot, the "best" option may be to put them in a container and send them to East Timor
They need the work and you might be able to claim half the cost as "foreign aid"

[GraemeCook]

Karcher, or similar high pressure water jet is far more efficient than any hand tool.

Bunnings had them on special near Christmas at little more than hire costs!

[autogenous]

Is there any less time-consuming way of removing thick deposits of cement from bricks other than via a hammer and chisel? I don't want to 'clean' them as such (with acids etc), just remove the major deposits of cement from the bricks. Any ideas appreciated.

Do you have a picture MR OOP?

I sit face brick or you don't really care?

Really don't care, brick hammer or scutch hammer

Some small jack hammers are cheaper these days though.

Sounds like you have a mess Mr OOP