An old timer in Omaha watched me mix mud and told me my water ratio was off by a full gallon.

I was working on a small garden wall last month, mixing my own mortar like I always do. This retired bricklayer, Frank, was walking his dog and stopped to watch for a minute. He just said, 'Kid, you're a gallon short on the water, it's gonna set up like concrete before you lay ten bricks.' I argued at first, but he was right. My mix was way too dry and I was fighting it, rushing. I added the water he said, and suddenly it was perfect, sticky but smooth, and my pace evened out. It made me realize I'd been guessing the water for years based on how it looked, not a real measure. Now I use a marked bucket for the water every single time, no exceptions. Has anyone else had a simple tip like that completely change a basic part of your routine?

2 comments

2 Comments

leor371mo ago

Always eyeballed my chain oil until a logger told me to measure it, now my saws run way better.

brian_murray1mo ago

Yeah, same thing with wood glue for me. Always just squirted it on until a cabinet maker told me to spread it thin with a brush, like painting. Totally changed the game, no more squeeze-out. Reminds me of what @leor37 said about the chain oil.