The Art of Laying Brick 

My father laid brick / stone as his profession for many years (decades) before having to give it up back in the 80's due to arthritis. He was the best at what he did and was known around eastern NC for doing high quality work for a reasonable price. People would often wait for months to hire him for the job. Even though it was laborious work he took his craft seriously and always delivered respectable work. He is long gone now, but the structures he helped build will be here for a very long time.

"do it slow" *SWOOSH*

RU-vid recommendations telling me to drop out of college.

Too much negativity about the guy being 'too quick' He's a very good quality bricklayer and also a very good teacher. Bravo!

Am I the only one that finds brick laying extremely satisfying

Like watching some bob ross's version of construction worker haha

HOW DID I END UP HERE AND WHY ARENT I STOPING IT

Great therapy, miss it sometimes, but not the backache. Started in at it in early 75 as a helper right out of the paratroopers. Told the boss i wanted to be a bricklayer. Once me and the other 2 helpers caught things up on material for him and another bricklayer... then he had me spread mud and hand him brick on the long garage/kitchen walls. Got to a point where he told me he couldn't afford to keep me as a helper anymore (scared hell out of me) what he in fact was saying was that with me laboring, held up his quantity of bricks laid by him. So he hired another helper and kept me on the long walls with him, or doing window sills, short runs, piers, or setting corner leads. i say this to help encourage any who pursue this field, know what there in for as far as effort to rise to level of a cub. One things for sure, no machine will ever be able to process the many human facets involved in adjusting that brick. And "NEVER"... will any building material on that project, be touched by human hands as many times, as that of the brick. As far as money... it is like the brick-bond you always find to be either a little ahead / or a little behind. Or as we used to joke in the bricky community. Bricklayers are the best lay in town, and it seems we are always getting a little ahead or behind, no matter the market. Working on a new kinda wall, here in my mid 60's. A firewall laid with a sound and logical reasoning type of Ammo and Armor for our post traumatic soldiers. If you like just click my noggin to your 10 o'clock, and go to videos, interview 1. Great Training Vid Instructors. Viewers: note the shine and very few are the mortar splats @ 3:32. this is how you know your in good training hands. And thanks for the ear, fellow Commenters. -gilpin 8-28-15

This guy's fantastic. I've been looking at brick walls all my life, and it looks so simple. Then I tried doing some simple bricklaying and I discovered how hard it is.

“Do it slow” Literally spreads it in less than half a second

In less than 9 minutes, this guy is my role model for brick-laying..........not one curse word like I am in my yard. He makes it look so easy. Good job, Sir. Thank you for sharing.

Looks easy but no doubt this kind of work is true craftsmanship. I'm sure it takes many years of practice to perfect. It's one thing to run a few courses, but to build a whole house is something else entirely. Very cool stuff!

The fluidity in his trowel hand is mesmerizing.

This is how I saw it done for 30 years , I watched my father and grandfather build everything and this is just how they did it , so complain away but this cat has got a good rhythm. And for all the master masons commenting here ..... ok we get it , you went to trade school and are now experts..... call me when you get your journeyman card.

people complain about this or that, but this old cat has been around for a while.. and probably knows best.. so ill go with his word over a troll...

If YT had existed when I was in high school I’m pretty sure my life would have gone drastically in a different direction. Kids today have so much information at their fingertips.

Me at 3AM: RU-vid Recommendations: IT'S TIME TO LEARN HOW TO LAY BRICKS

youtube is recommending me weekly brick laying videos, thank you. i'm a drummer

This man keeps it real. He says 40-50 hours of practice to have a brick wall look as good as his is. This was an enjoyable and very helpful video. Thank you!

Great job! No funny camera stunts, no family or pets in background, just straight to the point information that made me understand how to do this right!

Never fails, no matter how many masons I watch we all lay brick differently. I use the heel of my hand as a gauge/level between the front of the last brick and the back of the one I'm placing. Then I push down with my palm and fingers to bring the brick to the line. Tapping only if necessary. When I apprenticed I was taught buttering on the wall, but then I was told not to do that later. Some of the big general contractors, architects, engineers don't like it. They say it leaves a gap at the back of the brick that isn't filled. I believe that if mud in 98% of the brick's joint doesn't hold it in place, then that little bit that worries them so much isn't going to make a difference. But they don't pay me for my opinions. Raising the line to the top of the line block is new to me as well. Gauging the height by the line block I mean. i cut my line blocks down a half inch and raise the line to the mark. Shrug. Will give the same finished product. And you are using a boat paddle for a trowel. Lol, Take care of your wrists, my friend. Don't wear them out. They and your back are half the things that end careers for us. 25 year mason, now doing restoration masonry.

Watching this guy lay bricks reminds me of my grandpa's work. RIP grandpa 🙏💖

looking forward to the art of laying pipe

That's the best bricklaying I ever seen, his head and bed joints are the fullest and smoothest I ever seen, and that's when the brick is first fitted too.

@ age 65, i find myself going back to homes i'd had a hand in laying the brick on. Brings back many memories. Any where between 'humorous banter' between members of the past's various crews, to certain bricked sections having to do with disputes between both builders, or owners. Of all the bricklaying learning sites available on line... this is by far the best most profitable to the apprentice as well as the most seasoned bricklayer. -former bricklayer... now brick-lier. 101117

How the hell did I get here?! I was just watching videos to pass the time while Planetside 2 updates!

Brilliant teacher .Simple and clear. Worth every penny .

Thanks for the videos my dad was a Mason I grew up doing it with my dad it helps to remember the things he taught me when I was young the projects around my house you're a good teacher thanks for the videos

This is acutaly a good vid. i'm a bricklayer it's how i make my living.

The bob Ross of brick laying

Laying brick is one of those things that is really easy to do in terms of what you need to do but takes so much experience to do fast and accuate. It's really cool.

This was mesmerizing. Dude has some real talent at this.

Dont forget the Mudman. He keeps the show running.

For everyone getting this for the first time: read the comments from 2 years ago. For everyone here from 2 years ago: WHY ARE YOU HERE AND WHY ARENT YOU STOPPING IT!?!

From high school 1972 retired 40years same way great video

Every pro makes it look so easy. Good teacher there.

Thanks RU-vid algorithm now I can be a brick Mason

this is the first time I saw how it work in the excellence way. Thank for the video and this gentlement

i've been a bricklayer for forty years....i've seen many videos of guys going "hollywood" and trying to look good...this is the best teaching bricklayer video i have seen,,,,this guy is a top top tradesman in my opinion..

This guy is a true artist at his craft. Amazing.

Me: *randomly watched a recommended video about laying bricks yesterday* RU-vid Algorithms: *oh, this guy's definitely into laying bricks, I better show him this one too!*

If you're not a bricklayer, stop commenting 😂😂 this guy is great, speed and skill comes naturally, you can lay bricks however you want, there's so many things, battered walls and arches, I love being a bricklayer

Always been interested in this. And yes. 40 or 50 hours, at LEAST, to get a feel for the work. Plus the math on the thickness of the joints. But most of the stuff I'd like to do is rough outdoor stuff, maybe build a hearth and some retaining wall for raised beds. That sort of thing. The pro-grade work these guys do is pretty amazing.

You are an AWESOME brick layer! It was so good to watch. Everyone should know how to build like this/// thank you!

Clearly presented. Well done & Thanks.

I was in Bricklaying school in Chicago, over there by 43rd & Ashland area and let me tell you bricklaying is hard if you don't have the feel for it. I couldn't find work for nothing because you have to find your own work and if you fresh out of school nobody wants you. Luckily I got in with the Insulators Union and they work year round and I make more.

I was brick layer for several years....this guys explains all the right things

Thank you for all your help, I have learned quickly to do good work.

Thanks RU-vid. Really did a good job at relaxing me. :)

The wall is nice, but the real winner is his hair.

My late great uncle Bobby was a brick layer. He was also a golden gloves champion and pretty good artist. He'd take us around town and show us his work when we were kids. Wish I had paid closer attention because now I have to do this for my own house and it doesn't look easy to get it looking professional.

Everyone saying they wanna be a brick mason now I happily welcome you. But know most people quit before they even get to laying bricks. Like all trades you have to start at the bottom. It’s hard work and have to be humble and dedicated. Only a master can make it look like a piece of cake. And he put in the work

I agree with the title, this is art.

wow, he makes this look too easy

I do my own brick work but I'm sooooooo sloooooow. But nothing is more satisfying than brick work and nothing looks better. I can see how that mortar is nice and fluffy and easy to work with. Thanks for the video.

Another one of those videos that popped up in my recommendations for no reason, but it was honestly satisfying.

The Art of Laying Brick pulls down pants "now watch me"

I wonder what the mortar looks like on the other side of the brick wall.

good brick laying. good teacher. people need to stop the negativity. he knows what he is doing

Thanks for sharing your time and knowledge sir !

I laid a huge brick in my toilet pan last night.

i wanna see this guy make pancakes...

Good tips. I was going to pursue bricklaying in job corps but had to leave. Someone just offered to take me up and teach me so I figured I'd brush up on it. Thanks for the upload.

u make my heart warm up just the way u lay them bricks i just love it

If it done right it's truly an art

Wow this guys pretty good for his first day 🤔

My Dad 'Philip "POP" Bright was one of the best BrickMasons around. He did impeccable work...He was very precise and particular about his work. His brother/my uncle "David Bright" & my Mom's brother/my other uncle "Richard Bradley" and another uncle "Newton Atkins" worked together on different projects around town...They all have gone home to be with the LORD...GOD Bless the dead. They just don't make 'em like these guys ( and others that worked in that same profession)- any more. Always missing and Love to them ALL!!!

I like to see this skill so much. Real craftsmanship. Greetings from Germany!!

So calming, what is it about instructional videos. #ASMR

If I had a job as a bricklayer, I would just be playing with the mortar all day until my shift ends. *flip flop flip flop* "Hey, Pumpkin where are we on this wa- What the hell, you didn't even start it!" "Uh, yeah. The mortar isn't ready yet, duh! Needs some more flip floppin'!" 😃

great video ,i was very impressed to learn from another masonry master ,,thanks for sharing your knowledge and advice in brick layering

Thanks for the tilting problem I have had that problem for a while. Much appreciated mate 👍

I see he does what a lot of other masons do - leaving an empty gap on the back side of the brick when they only butter the front edges. Same thing Track Hack mentioned. Not really the way you do higher-end masonary. But, what do you expect for FREE on RU-vid. Right?

houston rockets definitely watched this before playing the warriors today

I have been a bricklayer for 22 years now, and still love it! One thing i do get grief from some of the old boys, is that i think trowels from the U.S.A are far better than our own British made trowels. My first professional trowel i had after finishing my Apprenticeship was a British made one. Then left my tools in my friends van one day, which meant i had to borrow someones emergency backup trowel. Which was a "Marshall Town". LOVED IT!! now i am on about trowel number 12! You Yanks make the best tools in the world! Many thanks from a very satisfied BRIT!!!

6:40 That's what we call striking the joins, I've laid brick, block and stone for over 35 years and I'm here to tell you each brick layer l've worked with has his or her own methods in doing masonry work. And his is one of many methods.

fuck, im in a youtube rabbit hole

im considering building a BBQ, he makes this look extremely simple and easy. I just cant get the image of homer simpsons BBQ out of my head "why doesn't mine look like that?!"

Thanks for your time in making this lesson possible.

Cavalheiro, você é o melhor pedreiro! Sir, you are the best bricklayer!

Good video. All you naysayers below, have you produced any videos on the topic that reflect a better job??? Lets see them?

Why am I nodding with agreement to the tips he's giving about laying bricks?

I love the passion he has

old Mr Wadman at college used to say, " don't hit the brick with the trowel lad, you're learning to be a bricklayer, not a brick tapper". it still makes me smile when I hear that noise.

Always seems so easy when watching someone else doing it. 🤔🤔

Ali G is da man for laying bricks.

Exciting stuff !! like the fascinating business of watching paint dry !

This man is a great instructor!!

Welcome to our daily "why did youtube recommend me this ?" segment

Why are still me people ticking thumbs down?... Must be all from the same mental health hospital lol

Fascinating Work Bravo!

Great video, great company as well. Thank you McGanns!

In high school they used to call me the plumber cause I lay down the pipe

The only thing i lay is sick beats

You’re very professional and great teacher, thank you I learned laying break from you😎👍

Skillful artisan. Much respect.

I was trained never to tap my brick unless I have to. Use your fingers to push the brick level to the line.

Make America great again.

Thank you for sharing your knowledge

Smooth n fluid in his movements. Pretty easy with story poles. Loved how both bed and head joints were full. But he's a clipper. At times even double clipping the front. If you're gonna double clip then you might as well clip the inside head joint so you have a full joint. Your wall will let in far less water and last like masonry should.