Transitioning from a laborer to a lead mason

[Alan]

I remember I spent three years just mixing mud and hauling blocks before he was allowed to touch a level. It is a hard path but learning how the mortar feels in the tub is just as important as laying the stone. You have to watch how the lead mason moves his wrist and how he plans the corners. It takes a lot of patience to move up in this trade but the pay is worth the effort. Are you currently working as a tender and how long before you get your own trowel?

 

[bear pickles]

The hardest part for me was learning to slow down and trust my eyes instead of just trying to be the fastest guy on the wall. When you are a laborer you are all about speed and volume but a lead mason has to think about the bond and the level of every single brick. I spent a lot of lunch breaks practicing my corners while the other guys were resting in the truck.

 

[bigbuster]

It takes a different kind of mental energy to be the one responsible for the final look. Do you guys remember the first task your boss finally trusted you to do alone?

 

[catiZEN]

Keep in mind that everything starts with knowing how the mortar behaves long before you put a trowel in your hand.