The Great Wall & Brickmasons of China (Mike Haduck)

I (Mike Haduck) filmed the old school style of brickwork in modern china, I was on tour with a music group called "The New World Ensemble" and on my time off I was walking the streets filming brick masons and the building in china. I think these videos prove the fact that most experience masons approach brick work the same way, All my videos are my ways and ideas, I always suggest anyone doing any type of work to consult professional help,
China tour New world ensemble • China tour "THE NE...
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[@Ifailedtopickanick]

Ok, I laughed hard when you decided to do some bricklaying with them. Adorable.

[@stinkopants]

I don't know how I got here, but I couldn't stop watching

[@welders4truth135]

Same here!! 🤣🤣🤣

[@petergambier]

You may be interested to know that the lime mortar that they used for the Great wall contained rice flour and in some places due to weathering, the mortar has outlasted the brickwork. I have replicated this mix and it's true the mortar is much stronger and when you add fibres to the mortar this increases the tensile strength. When the great wall builders put the wall across parts of the Gobi desert they used no mortar just dressed stone infilled with tamped earth where they would fill it 4 inches high, tamp it down, add another 4 inches etc, all the way to the top. I also heard that they mixed egg white into the mortar but I think that was a myth because eggs are too valuable a resource. Each tower structure on the wall was the responsibility of one family and because of the time they would have to spend away from their families the government allowed the builders families to live with him, so each tower will have the name of the family that built it.

[@MikeHaduck]

thanks Peter, I appreciate the comment, I could never get a straight answer on the type of mortar they used and what it was make of, I am going to mexico to film the pyramids there. I bet you would know what they used there? let me know, mike

[@Fete_Fatale]

I was going to comment on the sticky rice & lime mortar, but Peter beat me to it. Great vid otherwise though Mike, and always interesting to see local masons doing it their own particular way :) en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sticky_rice_mortar

[@petergambier]

I prefer to slake and make my own mixes from quicklime, it's great to show people how it all worked and how it's still relevant. I started out as a general labourer and felt drawn to the plastering and rendering side of the trade but since about 1995 only do the lime side of the building game. On a previous film you were talking about how complicated modern brick walls are now with the re-bar and all the extra unnecessary stuff thats used and I feel the same about lime which uses no PVA or chemicals to get it to stick to a surface, you just need a good, roughed or scratched up background. You can use lime putty for a base coat, middle coat and top coat as well as for your flooring screed or the internal & external paint. I was reading in an 1870's book that they used Jhagery or sugar in the mix to help fight frost in India, so I put a 2% solution of molasses in a lime mix to see what would happen and it all turned to soup. As to whether or not it stopped the frost, I have no idea because that year it was unusually mild and stayed around 3 degrees and I haven't tried it since. I once worked up north on a church where the weather plummeted down to -8 and the lime surface at the top of the walls looked like a map of the world, the ice crystals had pushed the mortar out about 5 millimeters and turned the mortar back to sand. Sugar is a retardant and you can also pee in the mix too as another retardant but generally it's best to keep things as simple as possible, it makes your life much easier and unlike the quicker drying cement you don't really need a retardant with lime.

[@petergambier]

Morning Fete, I only added a rice flour to a lime mix, I never tried any sticky rice before but the link you put up was certainly very interesting indeed thanks.

[@petergambier]

I was going to say that my daughter visited several sites in Mexico and brought back some found samples of lime mortar for me. The mortar in some places was really thick and looking at a cross section of the mortar there wasn't much in the way of coarse stone particles like you would find in a sharp angular sand, they all looked quite fine, so I'd love to know what mixes they did as I have no idea what their quantities of anything were. When I talked to a guy who does pargetting work he told me that he never even uses sand, he uses different grades of chalk. In Fete Fatale's link it says that they only used slaked lime and sticky rice which sounds like an expensive mortar where you would need a lot of rice. When you make a putty mortar and any cracking appears these cracks are supposed to self heal anyway as I was once told but really for the optimum lime mortar then you would need pumice or crushed lava and mix it with sea water because there is a chemical reaction where 'Philipsite' is formed, these are plate like structures that bend rather than shatter when stressed. Considering how the Pantheon is the oldest Roman structure still with it's roof then for durability I'll go with the Roman cement every time I think.

[@wetsaw7869]

Hahaha I love it! He's laying brick in China. That's great!

[@MikeHaduck]

thanks Jeff, I appreciate it. mike

[@mikeflynn4373]

Did that walk myself about 20 years ago Mike, and as an old British bricky i appreciated their work. If the trades needed work they turned up in the town square with their tools, someone may need a bricklayer and come down and hire one for the day. The people were great, very friendly.

[@MikeHaduck]

thanks Mike, I appreciate the comment, mike

[@wonthefight]

Pretty cool.

[@MikeHaduck]

thanks, I appreciate it. mike

[@Growveguk]

Mike, I have commented a couple of times in the past. Lost my old man just before Christmas, he in many ways was like you, what I consider old school. I enjoy every one of your videos and find them invaluable. Keep doing what you are doing and thank you for putting a smile on another tradesman's weather beaten face. 🇬🇧

[@MikeHaduck]

thanks Andy, you are making me smile too. keep up the tradition, mike

[@ednightingale]

Thanks for the tour Mike, was over there 10-11 years ago working for a few months and this video brought back the memories.

[@MikeHaduck]

hi ed, it is amazing how many people was there before, I appreciate it. thanks mike

[@AllanBanks]

Fantastic, really informative and from a craftsman's perspective..enjoyed it

[@MikeHaduck]

thanks Allan, I appreciate it. mike

[@Montblanc1986]

Wow didn't expect this video! Thanks for taking the time to film all of that Mike!

[@MikeHaduck]

thanks Kazak, I had a lot of fun doing it, mike

[@borys444]

Love ur videos mike. So nice of u to take us on tour with u. Cheers!!

[@Jim_Newlands]

Thank's Mike. That was a really interesting perspective into the bricklaying industry in China. I enjoyed that a lot.

[@MikeHaduck]

thanks Jim, I appreciate it. mike

[@icreatedanaccountforthis1852]

I now have an appreciation for brick work after watching your videos. Thanks for your informative and interesting approach.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks, I appreciate it. mike

[@networkingdude]

Amazing video Mike! It's always nice to have perspective on other cultures techniques and practices.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks David, I appreciate that, very true, thanks mike

[@FireplacesRock]

Wooooow! China! Thank You for sharing Mike! Must have been a Fun trip, look forward to the Music :) ! You now can say you have done Brick work around the World!

[@MikeHaduck]

HI JAMIE, something different for sure, glad I did it , thanks mike.

[@c.o.gadmin1598]

my absolute favorite channel on youtube..... keep up the videos mike..... they are very much appreciated

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi C.O.G. I appreciate it, thanks mike

[@stanb8140]

Thanks Mike. Enjoyed the video and information.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks stan, It was fun, mike

[@dare369]

Amazing footage. These old school building new school blend are the most informative brick work on the internet. As a self taught recreational brick and stone builder this is gold!!

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks, Mike

[@StephenBrown88]

I love your videos, Mike! I'm so glad I found your channel.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Michael, mike

[@jimcramer9656]

This is one of my favorite videos I’ve seen of yours. They seemed to get a kick out of you filming and being interested in their work.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Jim, it was a great trip, Mike

[@longpinkytoes]

there are myriad videos about the great wall but you pointed the camera in exactly the right spot every time i really appreciate you posting a video shot with a mason's eye, the first 4 minutes saved a full day of research

[@MikeHaduck]

thanks pinky, I appreciate it. mike

[@welders4truth135]

Thank you for your videos Mike!! You have helped me so much with your knowledge on masonry work. Thanks again brother!!

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Welders, mike

[@thomasheller1526]

Thank you!!! Saved me the trip!!!

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Thomas, mike

[@tlims1974a]

Love the video! Your so funny. I always enjoy your videos!

[@baltobooks]

Very interesting. Thanks for showing that.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks, Mike

[@MD-cd7em]

THANKS AGAIN MIKE..LOVE IT!

[@MikeHaduck]

thanks M D, I appreciate it. mike

[@kenycharles8600]

Thank you for this presentation.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Kenny, mike

[@T.E.P.]

This was a joy to watch. Really interesting to see, thanks Mike.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Thor, mike

[@michaeliannone2577]

Mike, i think your videos are awesome..keep them coming!

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Michael, I appreciate it, Mike

[@WojciechP915]

This youtube channel gives such an interesting perspective. Great!

[@MikeHaduck]

thanks Bill, I try, I appreciate it. mike

[@mattevans3637]

Excellent video again Mike

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Matt, Mike

[@abrahamnemani3907]

Awesome video Mike, I also enjoyed your other video.

[@MikeHaduck]

thanks Abraham, I appreciate it. mike

[@brandonjacky1825]

Mike, just stumbled upon your videos. They are a treasure!

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Brandon, mike

[@whomenever8678]

Mike I've been a subscriber for a couple of years and I have to say I love all your vids. Thanks

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks ,I appreciate hearing that, Mike

[@brianchv3661]

Thanks for the vid Mike

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Brian, Mike

[@beetjeafvallen6584]

I love the tour! Great video!

[@MikeHaduck]

thanks Beetje, mike

[@allamakee1397]

Thanks Mike, always enjoy your videos.

[@MikeHaduck]

thanks allamakee, I appreciate it. mike

[@ouchensamr9153]

Thanks video Mike

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks ouchen, Mike

[@troyboy4550]

COMMENTARY THE BEST! "bricking in a window and he ain't fooling around!" hahahahahaha!

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Troy, very true, lol, mike

[@NeilRobertTurner]

Brilliant video !

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi Neil, I just filmed it, but they knew their stuff, I appreciate it. mike

[@mireyajesus7]

Great bit of information, truly useful .

[@MikeHaduck]

thanks Mireya, I appreciate it. mike

[@stevehornberger6675]

Hey Mike awesome video!! As a mason I would have loved to lay brick there and see how they do it!

[@slamfreepoetry1845]

GREAT VIDEO!! FASCINATING STUFF! thanks mike!

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Slam, Mike

[@noahberger8760]

Wow. So very cool. Thank you, Mike.

[@MikeHaduck]

thank noah, I appreciate it. mike

[@konstantinusstoyanov9749]

That's awesome man, you jumped in

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks, mike

[@jamesg5879]

Great video mike it's good to see different nations do it. Thanks for all your vids i learned alot.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks James, i appreciate it mike

[@jefflahman5579]

Thanks for that. It was special.

[@MikeHaduck]

thanks Jeff, It was special to me , too, thanks mike

[@glennt222]

Great video Mike!!! and thank you for the explanations!!!!

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Glenn, I appreciate it, mike

[@harris1234100]

Great video Mike!

[@coolski1954]

thx mike really enjoyed it

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Cornell, Mike

[@fordguyfordguy]

Just listening to your commentary was totally worth watching!!! Hey, next do a review of the pyramids!!! or the Roman Aquaduct! haha. Great work, really enjoy your videos.

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi Andrew, did the pyramids, but before youtube and all the others, (If I only knew) I appreciate it. mike

[@LessTalkMoreDelicious]

Please make a video of the hardscaping, landscaping, garden walkways, castle walls, etc in Japan 😊 Their roof tile-work is also super amazing! (adjusted by chipping away to fit perfectly and flush)... super flat and flush faces/edges of their roof tiles.

[@SoCalJesse977]

Awesome video Mike!!

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks again Jesse, Mike

[@bookbeing]

Your video and talk about the steps brings back lots of memories. I never felt as safe here in the USA as I felt in all of China both night and day. When I was there some years ago the great Wall is one of my favorite places along with the summer palace in Xian, the forbidden city in Beijing and the terra cotta warriors. At the great wall those stairs were something! As well as the wild hemp plants growing beside the wall on the mongolian side! The random rise and run of those stairs along with the elevation change had me winded in no time. When I was coming back down, along with the numbers of other slow moving visitors, I noticed the unobstructed railing and decided that might be better than the stairs. I hopped on and started the slide down and looked back up behind me and noticed, all of a sudden, lots of people smiling, following me down the rail and giving me a thumbs up signal! if you get another music gig there, try the banister when you come back down the steps! I felt like a kid all over again when I did.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks, I appreciate hearing that, Mike

[@johnp.delaura6008]

Very educational and interesting Mike, thanks for sharing.

[@MikeHaduck]

thanks John, I appreciate it . mike

[@ViralHorses]

Mike your video's are awesome and show me alot about masonry around the world. Thanks! And Kind regards from the Netherlands

[@MikeHaduck]

thanks , I appreciate it. mike

[@brandongregory5195]

Awesome video

[@campingintheforest_]

Great Video!

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Camping, mike

[@matthewmillar3804]

You sir, are well travelled! A traveling musician/brick mason, very cool.

[@MikeHaduck]

thanks Mattew, I appreciate it. mike

[@johnenright4969]

Hey Mike that was hilarious when you were slinging cement while you were on vacation!!!!!

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks John, mike

[@You-Tube_Administrator]

Fantastic content Mike! Keep up the great work!

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks, mike

[@lmilne4859]

Superb video mike have watch 5 hours plus your videos today. With having to down tools with this virus. Take care mate and keep up the good work.

[@MikeHaduck]

thanks very much, mike

[@kenvandeburgt1232]

Thanks for this piece on the wall. Wow.

[@MikeHaduck]

thanks Ken, I appreciate it. mike

[@josephdolderer6113]

thanks Mike, cool to see! I was in India a few months ago and was fortunate enough to see a building going up over a couple weeks. They use the bamboo scaffold and no cement mixers- all mixed on the street with a shovel- and this was in a big city with traffic going around the huge piles of gravel and cement! kinda cool to see guys ten stories up on bamboo, but it works! they thought I was nuts watching them, like why would anyone be interested, but man, it's neat stuff!

[@MikeHaduck]

hi joseph, glad to hear that, people in USA have a whole different outlook on it so I was glad I got a chance to film it, thanks for the input, I appreciate it. mike

[@hatzlmike1]

This is awesome

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Mike, Mike

[@colroulette9337]

Thank's Mike!

[@MikeHaduck]

thank you col, I appreciate it. mike

[@bc454irocz89]

This is exactly what I did when I went to Rome lol. You're awesome Mike obviously have a passion for knowledge in this trade

[@MikeHaduck]

thanks bc454, I appreciate it . mike

[@--Paws--]

I like the dedication of your studies. It's quite inspiring and made an ordinary idea surprisingly interesting.

[@MikeHaduck]

thanks Paws, I appreciate it. mike

[@edwinmonroe3474]

Hi Mike how fun brother God bless that's awesome

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi Edwin, fun trip for sure, God bless also, thanks mike

[@larrpan]

Great video Mike! U rock! Well.. U brick!

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks larrpan, Mike

[@WaveAction777]

Great little tour and how they do things over there, interesting.

[@MikeHaduck]

thanks Wave, I appreciate it. mike

[@SQ_og]

Awesome Mike

[@MikeHaduck]

thanks super, I appreciate it. mike

[@Inspironator]

I like how you are able to show the methods used by other countries. Very interesting.

[@MikeHaduck]

thanks inspironator, I appreciate it. mike

[@fillowtree5505]

Mason, musician, wise man, and world traveler. Thanks for the video.

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi Fillow, I don't know much about the wise part, and if I have any abilities it is only a gift of God, I can not brag, and am fortunate, I appreciate it. thanks mike

[@gregsteinke5421]

All of those arches is amazing

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Greg, Mike

[@Ryan-ru4mi]

99.999% of people walk right by these bricklayers every day and don't think anything of it. Mike Haduck stops by and is the mason documentarian! haha really nice video, Mike.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Ryan, Mike

[@hannahpumpkins4359]

Awesome about the Great Wall!!!!

[@MikeHaduck]

thanks Hannah, it was fun being there, thanks mike

[@georgebecker1191]

I love the content! Im a stone mason from the Boston area. I wish the bricklayers of today had half of the skill they did in be past. I see restorations happenening all the time where lime mortar is replaced with type s! It drives me crazy. Its nice to see the craft shown on a global scale. The world is full of monuments of great masonry. If you haven't heard of Gudelon google it. Its an archeology experiment they are building a complete castle in 17th century methods. Thank you for the VI.

[@MikeHaduck]

thanks George, I did watch a bit of them building that castle on tv, thanks mike

[@daveylad2]

Thank you for another great vid Mike. Nice to see the Chinese bricklayers and how they do it, different trowels almost triangular, but they are not as good as you though mate.

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi David, they know their stuff, th.anks mike

[@mattevans7091]

Very good vid Mike

[@MikeHaduck]

thanks Matt, I appreciate it. mike

[@atkgrl]

Thank you so much for showing the Great Wall and the people. When you visit these places can you also ask them how much the workers make in the different areas as well if they have enough labor and if its hard to get the labor and supplies to support their jobs. I have always dreamed of visiting the Great Wall. It is the only man made object seen from space. They are still finding ancient parts. I spent a few tours in Korea and the bamboo scaffolding always made me Leary of the quality of workmanship. Thank you for the videos.

[@robertkelly3313]

Fascinating!

[@MikeHaduck]

thanks robert, I appreciate it. mike

[@robojackmu]

Great Video man, I am making brick heightmaps in my computer now XD, really helped

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks mike

[@brickbybric]

Good video mike very enjoyable .

[@MikeHaduck]

thanks bric bybrick, I appreciate it. mike

[@brianmoore5498]

i got a kick out of that. thank you

[@MikeHaduck]

thanks brian, it was fun, mike

[@Tonycoelho123]

That was really interesting Mike. Those guys mixed cement like my Grandfather use to do. Thanks for sharing.

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi Tony, yep, they still do it that way, I seen some cement mixers but only on huge jobs, thanks mike

[@86kickass]

sometimes we still mix it like that in America on like a piece of plywood if it’s only a medium sized job

[@hakology]

Mike google 'Fred Dibnah' when you get time ... very famous UK steeple jack ... did a lot of work with the bbc and steam locomotives too ... have a feeling you'd like his stuff ;)

[@billford5553]

Fred Dibnah is a legend that guys bravery in steeplejack work amazing ive never seen anyone climb ladder towers & chimneys the way he did.

[@tonyhussey3610]

Absolute hero...

[@suep4530]

very interesting!! looks like you had a great trip!

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi Sue, ran around real crazy, and everything clicked, I was glad it all worked out, thanks mike

[@kcstoneguy]

That plaster mason was really good great video

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks John, Mike

[@kcstoneguy]

I’m now working as a mason using info I learned from your channel no big deal ha ha

[@PaddleDogC5]

cool video

[@strikemehandsome]

I love the old school way of working. I recently worked on an Abbey in the UK. The place was built by monks with no building experience on fen land out of stone with no footers just stone straight on the very wet earth a thousand years ago. It still stands and hold holds service every Sunday.

[@MikeHaduck]

Hi strike, I believe you are right, I appreciate it. mike

[@mrbrad187]

Hi Mike. Just found your channel. Been watching a few! I live 40 minutes sw of Pittsburgh

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks, Mike

[@off-gridrockstar420]

Pretty damn impressive video

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks off grid, I appreciate it, Mike

[@hikurukutai]

No quickcrete over there Lol good stuff Mike Cheers

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks, mike

[@onez8978]

I would have loved to be an apprentice under Mike! Old school and real deal, no new school rule book instruction just craft work at its core. I had journeymen like that when I was green, hard knocks, each one with a different technique and temperament.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks One, your right, every mason had their own techniques and style, thanks mike

[@onez8978]

Mike Haduck Masonry, my pleasure, thank you for the great videos Mike!

[@adamcturnbull]

I lived in China. Trades are trades. Do amazing, unappreciated work , and there they are paid pennies in comparisons to our "Brickies " here. Sure , it might not be "code" but it does the trick as Mike says.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Adam, Mike

[@1889michaelcraig]

It may not be straight. But everything seems to flow together and to me thats what makes it unique. Good video Mike

[@MikeHaduck]

hi michael, thanks, your right, I appreciate it. mike

[@mikeysback70]

Thanks for the tour through where they were laying brick. Very interesting! No wonder you're always saying there's no right or wrong way ...and it's true. It's just our preconceived ideas of what we have learned to be "the correct way" Lol! I mean if it's been standing for centuries,who am I to say," that wasn't built right"? Good stuff my friend!

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks mikey, Mike

[@richardpalusaar3364]

It just dawned on me. You resemble the actor Harrison Ford, especially when sitting under the tree, wrapping up at the end. If you ever go to a costume party then dress up as Indiana Jones. The other day I was wondering how they do scaffolding in non western countries and what a delightful surprise this video was.

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Richard, He does look a bit like me, lol. Thanks mike

[@walter44308]

Ok Mike ur are the best

[@MikeHaduck]

Thanks Tu, Mike

[@55098]

so cool

[@MikeHaduck]

thanks 55098, it was, I appreciate it. mike