Brickwork Projects for Patio & Garden. Alan Bridgewater

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       Wire brush

      Woodwork

      Sometimes the projects require you to use formwork (wooden frames) during the casting of foundations. Formwork usually consists of planks of wood laid square and level, held in place by stakes and nails (see here). A general-purpose saw (or crosscut saw) and a claw hammer are all that is needed to make it.

      Simple brickwork arches are easy to build as long as you use a wooden former to establish the shape of the arch and support the bricks during the building process (see here, 136–143, 144–151, 152–157). The former is made from plywood cut with an electric jigsaw, which is a safe and easy-to-use tool. After drawing the curved shape on the plywood (you may use a trammel for this—see here), hold down the plywood on the workbench, start up the saw (don’t allow the blade to touch the wood until the motor is running) and gently guide the blade around the curve. Wear goggles and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

      Drilling holes

      A general-purpose power drill with hammer action is ideal for drilling jobs. For drilling wood, use twist bits for small-diameter holes (under ⅜″ (10mm) in diameter), and flat or spade bits for larger holes. For drilling into brickwork and masonry, use masonry bits and set the drill to hammer mode. Always follow the instructions supplied with the tool.

      Finishing

      Once you have completed a project (or at the end of each day if you are conscientious), you will need to clear up the site and clean any blobs, splashes and smears of mortar off the brickwork and ground. Use a wire brush to scrub bricks (wear gloves and goggles). If you choose to apply a treatment to the surface of the brickwork in order to clean it (see here), use a paintbrush. A paintbrush is also used for any painting tasks such as sealing render with waterproofing paint, as in the water feature on here.

      Miscellaneous

      A rubber mallet is useful for bedding brickwork or masonry in mortar. It is soft, but heavy, and does the job without damaging the surface of the material. The wooden or plastic-covered handle of a club hammer or bricklayer’s hammer will do a similar job. Other useful tools include a screwdriver for driving in screws (if you prefer them to nails) and a gardener’s trowel for projects such as the Decorative Raised Bed and the Strawberry Barrel, where planting is required.

      When building water features that employ lining materials, such as the Classic Round Pond, use scissors to cut the lining materials; use a hacksaw (a metal saw) to cut the armored plastic pipe used to protect electric cable and water pipe, in projects such as the Waterspout. Don’t buy new tools until the need arises.