confused of chalus Posted September 19, 2009 Share Posted September 19, 2009 We are about to start pointing the stones on the exterior of our house.Does anyone remember a Grand Designs programme a few years ago wherethe couple used a sort of icing gun to apply the chaux between thestones? If anyone has used one does it work? Is it easier than tryingto do it by hand? And someone told us there was an electric version. Isthis just another gadget or really good? Where can we find either theicing gun or the electric version? Thanks,Kathy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnOther Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 The concept works very well.When I lined out the fireplace in my lounge with rustic briquettes the special grout for them actually came with a plastic pouch for the job. I can't imagine trying to get it in the gaps and spaces any other way without 50% of it ending up on the floor !Mine was a relatively small job, about 3m2 or so, so doing it manually was no chore, but if you're looking at the whole side of a house some sort of powered device would make sense.[IMG]http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p123/biskitboyo/bruno.jpg[/IMG] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Théière Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 The biggest problem with the gun type is they are ok for mortar made with building sand but when you use the very course sand for lime work they struggle and often jam.This gun looks good and I spoke to the Company about lime work and that is what they actually use it for so seems the best option I have found.http://www.pnupoint.com/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdG87spjvW8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dandaz Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 The more pointing you do the quicker you become ,I saw the grand designs , it made me cringe and would take defo more time.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
confused of chalus Posted September 20, 2009 Author Share Posted September 20, 2009 Thanks guys. Theire (sorry - no accents!) it looks a bit expensive and we dont have a compressor. But we'll keep looking for a cheaper alternative. Dandaz, I respect your view, but with a whole house to do I dont think we can face doing it the long way - estimate it will take about three years! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Théière Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 The gun is £295, the compressor could be bought second hand or new then sold on afterwards so minimising the cost. There is no other cheaper alternative except Dandaz's the tried and trusted technique.I know because I have tried them, I have the back of our house to do and it is a no brainer as the speed of the work makes the expense worth it unless you can find a couple of old Macons who will do it on the black. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavyH Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 [quote user="confused of chalus"]Thanks guys. Theire (sorry - n <br> o accents!) it looks a bit expensive and we dont have a compressor. But we'll keep looking for a cheaper alternative. Dandaz, I respect your view, but with a whole house to do I dont think we can face doing it the long way - estimate it will take about three years! [/quote]Is this the kind of thing you are thinking of? http://www.drywall-emporium.com/Durgun45_webpage.htmYou may need to cut and paste that link Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Théière Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 Thanks for taking the time DavyH,As I said in my post above, will work with buildings sand, jambs up with sharp sand and by the time you have messed around emptying the tube and re-filling you would have been quicker by hand. I know I own one. Best use is large areas of grounting which can be done at an amazing speed and with a lot less mess.Like wise the pointmaster, better than the Durgun IMO but still jambs up a fair amount with sharp sand and you don't want to keep handling lime as it ruins the skin on your hands and gloves are a pain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavyH Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 [quote user="Théière"]Thanks for taking the time DavyH,As I said in my post above, will work with buildings sand, jambs up with sharp sand and by the time you have messed around emptying the tube and re-filling you would have been quicker by hand. I know I own one. Best use is large areas of grounting which can be done at an amazing speed and with a lot less mess.Like wise the pointmaster, better than the Durgun IMO but still jambs up a fair amount with sharp sand and you don't want to keep handling lime as it ruins the skin on your hands and gloves are a pain. [/quote]Not used one myself Theiere - I did wonder if it was too good to be true! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Théière Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 In defence of Durgun, they do say not for sharp sand. I think it is us that expect too much, works well with ordinary mortar and grouts. Although if I had to do a whole house to do (even with regular mortar) as the OP has I wouldn't want to do it with a Durgun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John87 Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 ScrewFix (and others) sell pointing guns likehttp://www.screwfix.com/prods/67965/Hand-Tools/Builders-Tools/Builders-Basics/Roughneck-Brick-Mortar-Gun?cm_re=SEARCHPROMO-_-POINTING%20GUN-_-67965I bought an older version but like OP's found it pretty slow going - ok perhaps for regular joints but on typical french stone walls with gaps of all sizes, its easier to push/throw or trowel your muck in. If you have a bit of polythene underneath where you're working, you can re-cycle what you drop within reasonable time limits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dandaz Posted September 23, 2009 Share Posted September 23, 2009 I recon a fast workman could point your house in less than five days unless you live in a castle ...A Paris couple was watching me do a wall it took all day ,they commented the same wall on the other side took them all summer to do...Would`nt you rather be doing something else... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Théière Posted September 23, 2009 Share Posted September 23, 2009 [quote user="dandaz"]I recon a fast workman could point your house in less than five days unless you live in a castle ...A Paris couple was watching me do a wall it took all day ,they commented the same wall on the other side took them all summer to do... Would`nt you rather be doing something else...[/quote]Can't be true, they could never have seen you from Paris [:D][;-)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
confused of chalus Posted September 23, 2009 Author Share Posted September 23, 2009 Well thanks everyone. We think we'll try and do it by hand. What cash is left is needed for the trades we really cant skimp on - electrician, plumber. If it takes a long time, so be it. Secondary question to all you pointing/chaux experts. Should we be aiming for the 'beurre' finish or would it look better with less chaux and more stone?Kathy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Théière Posted September 23, 2009 Share Posted September 23, 2009 Completely personal taste, look at a few buildings in your area and pick the finish you both prefer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chazzee Posted September 28, 2009 Share Posted September 28, 2009 hi, first time for me. Im in to restoration & repair of old buildings, and the best tool iv got for repointing brick or stone is a pointing gun i got from fowler tools bridport UK. Just like a tube of mastic you fill it up then cut the end to the amount of muck you want to come out. Yes it dose get bunged up BUT dose it ever save time. Cost me less than £35 ( just to give you an idear i can repoint about 6sqm aday) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIG MAC Posted September 29, 2009 Share Posted September 29, 2009 Well if theres enough people wanting to use a gun and with a compressor to hand it would seem logical to buy one between us and pass it on when finished? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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