Masonry Skills

by Richard T. Kreh

Book Overview

This newly amended edition integrates both introductory masonry skills with advanced masonry knowledge to create a comprehensive text. New material is included on trade related mathematical skills.... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0827337752
• ISBN13: 9780827337756
• Release Date: January 1990
• Publisher: Delmar
• Length: 400 Pages
• Weight: 2.11 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 8.0" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Novice mason learned much from this book

I am a craftsman skilled in telephone, electrical and concrete work. Masonry is a new skill that I am working to acquire. We renovate rental properties. Recently, we purchased several older properties which require substantial work. We are also adding space for bathrooms and laundry areas. The exterior of these properties is brick. We wish to use brick veneer for the addition to blend the addition into the original structure. We understand the need to do things right the first time. I also have a great love for high quality craftsmanship. This book emphasizes both. The book is well written and illustrated. The information is applicable to masons working for large contractors or mom and pop shops. The author coaches the reader and describes how to develop job skills. The author also warns the reader of potential problems and how to avoid them. The experienced masons that I work with have also learned from this book.

Comprehensive text book of masonry building techniques

A text book aimed at persons studying to become professional masons. The writing is clear and readily understandable by professional and non professional alike. The technical information presented goes far beyond that found in most books in this field which are aimed at DIY and semi professional builders. It makes a wide range of tasks such as arch and fireplace construction accessible to anyone able to mix cement and position a brick.

A Brick Above the Rest.

Masonry Skills is a book that I would recommend not only to the professional mason but the beginner as well. This book contains the most expansive variety of masonry topics I have ever seen under a single cover. Richard Kreh takes you from the fundamentals of brick manufacture, tools/equipment used on the job and how to select them, to actual hands on projects that build upon one another. I feel that if you were to complete this book from cover to cover you would be provided with all of the skills necessary to become a competent mason. Mr. Kreh has divided the book into "Sections" specific to a topic, each "Section" is subdivided into "Units", and at the conclusion of each "Unit" there is a "Summary section", and "Procedure" instructing you on how to construct a project previously mentioned in the section. The end of each "Unit" is concluded by an "Achievement Review" that highlights important points in the section. Although at first glance this book has the characteristics of a typical school textbook; the detailed descriptions, use of close-up clear photographs, clear language and the authors desire to provide the reader with a logical progression of learning, allows this book to rise above all others currently in publication. It is also because of these characteristics that Masonry Skills would make an excellent reference book to the semi- professional and professional mason. Speaking from experience as a novice bricklayer, this book has given me a new perspective on masonry skills and a better appreciation for the aged art of brick laying.