Thread: Are there any other bricklayers here?

Just curious about this. I haven't noticed anyone making reference to their trade as to whether they are a bricklayer, stone mason or block mason in other conversations. Granted I don't patrol the forum that much. So I thought I'd throw out a line and see if anyone bites, and if so sharing some experiences.

Bricklayers are Craftsman I have always admired.I started out working for a master Bricklayer back in the late 1950s, cleaning used bricks, hard work but good pay, got 10 cents a brick,could make $60 a day (10hr day),Than I was Hired on as a Hod carrier,(more very hard work)
I tried to learn the trade but never was able to master it,laying up bricks was not my Forte
The craft I think is truley an art form.

As a young man I had a job as a labour for a brick layer. Not the easiest work, but one summer of it payed for 3 years of college.

Its one I grew up and hated. Maybe because I had to work for my dad every summer, Christmas and spring breaks from school. From Middle School through High School. But when I got older I appreciated the craft and honed my skills. Made every attempt to absorb good habits, and traits from each new employee my dad had. My only regret, and it really might not be considered a regret since I can't help what year I was born, was that I was never able to work my way into more intricate stone work. There are contractors who still are able to secure this work but I wouldn't quit the family business. Live and learn.

I worked two summers for a bricklayer, mason more properly I guess, carrying load and loads of bricks up ladders and learning to, "place" them properly they way he liked them.

Learned to keep my mouth shut and do as I was told, got a bit tired of being called a "munga cake" after a while, but hey, it was all in good fun and I had to pay for school...

Any work is good work.In todays world, true craftsmen are falling by the wayside,my Dad was a master Gunsmith, try finding one today.
I have a friend that I on occasion do wood turnings for,He Builds custom, one of a kind hardwood doors.
He works in a one man shop all by himself,his work is in very high demand,But he is pushing 80 yrs old,who will do this work when he is gone?
Back in the day we had Vocational schools that taught the trades,do they still exsist??
The main thing I enjoy about SRP is we have many craftsmen,the blade makers,the resto guys, woodworkers,leather workers etc.
Any work is good work, keep at it

Laid block/labored for 4 years. It was a great time in my life. I worked for my childhood best friends (still my best friend) dad. He had 5 other brothers and we all had a great time. Hard work, especially in the winter. We built "bubbles" so we could still work. Learned a lot from Tom. We put that man through hell and he always took care of us even if we were 20 year old drunks who just wanted to party. He fired all of us at least once a week...haha

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

Any work is good work, keep at it

Yes, and any work has things to teach other than the work itself.

Part of what was learned in many of the apprenticeship programs was a good work ethic. In today's workplace it seems almost non-existent.