Pic and Dip Bricklaying explained.

[@kevocos]

I really enjoy listen to this man. There's no mistaking that when he tells a story or gives his opinion on something, that he is recalling it faithfully without embellishing it to suit an agenda or promote himself. He always says "There are many ways to do this. I do it this way, other people have done it that way, try for yourselves and see what works for you" Topman Andy 👍☘

[@bricklayersworldwithandy6277]

👍 thanks

[@wolfganghachmuth5419]

I think so too. He knows his onions, but is still humble, unlike others on KZbin

[@garyreed9509]

Brilliant video Andy , very informative ithink youve still got it with the pick and dip mate nice one

[@geoffsnaylam4133]

Absolute class video Andy from sun one who knows his stuff ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Thanks Andy for all your input and knowledge ❤️🐌❤️🐌❤️

[@Jim_Newlands]

Could genuinely listen to you talking about the building industry all day. So interesting from someone one who has been there, done it and got the T shirt. Like you I'm past the building site mayhem days and I don't miss them one little bit, but I love learning.....KZbin has been brilliant for this, it's easy to spot the ones who actually know what they are talking about and those who are just blagging their way through!

[@bricklayersworldwithandy6277]

👍thanks Jim

[@michaelamos4651]

Great video Andy. Thanks. I do a mixture of everything depending on the brick the muck the weather and my mood 😂

[@bricklayersworldwithandy6277]

Ime the same, different situations call for different ways 👍

[@stephenmckenna7663]

Most importantly bricklaying is problem solving knowledge is key

[@liamwalters5029]

Great comment totally what it’s all about

[@IannoneBuilding]

I don't know how this is the first time i am seeing your channel, I am a self taught mason in the USA, and with no mentor or anyone here I would even consider to be 1% of the bricklayer as you gentlemen in Europe; in skill, knowledge, technique, and a general willingness to spread your immense knowledge and experience with others.... I have learned quite literally everything from European youtube Brickeys! Rather funny, that at the age of 38, and only laying brick for a total of five years now, I have become known as one the the best and highest regarded masons in the area (in other skills i am hands down unequivocally above the competition i.e. stucco.) Additionally, i am the only heritage mason in three counties of NY state who uses lime mortars and old world techniques (i drive 8 hours for the materials, but it is my real passion of all the services I offer!) Another area where without you European Masons knowledge and openness, I would be just like the other 99.9% of US Mason's.... not only clueless, but actively and ignorantly destroying our historic structures... I appreciate your willingness to help others and just want to say, truly, Thank You! I came into this trade as a way to end four generations of another family business after doing five years in prison (was looking at life) and at age of 33 with zero work experience I picked up a trowel, and never looked back. You and your fellow countrymen have been priceless and essential to my ability to succeed and catapult myself to the top of this industry! (And, about 80 to 120 hr work weeks for the last five years straight... more blood, sweat, and tears than the 33 years prior combined, and more physical damage than i would ever wish on another human!) But, i love it ... cheers... Anthony

[@IannoneBuilding]

I completely forgot to ask.... what was the title and author of that book you reference? If you dont mind helping a US bricky a lil more.... thanks in advance!

[@bricklayersworldwithandy6277]

@@IannoneBuilding Thanks for your comments👍keep up the good work on the Heritage side of things. Which book is that I would have to watch the vid again as I have quite a few books 👍😁

[@stevejones7622]

It helps have an open mind with all different techniques I find and adjust to suit, bricks, height, weather. Versatile I think it's called

[@robertplatt1379]

Thanks for the explanation you are spot on 👍 you old bricklayers are full of knowledge

[@bricklayersworldwithandy6277]

Thank you kindly

[@12andyh]

I personally don’t like pick n dip but it was an eye opening when you saying how many times you walk up and down the the wall I didn’t even think of that

[@CT-ud7yk]

Best video I've seen on pick n dip. I've only tried it a few times and I only do a few jobs a year now so I stick to traditional like you, enough bed for 3 bricks. Also the bricks must look scruffy with compo all over the face. It seems to me you can get away with it on those types of bricks but others you can't (or maybe I'm just shit at it 😃)and I like to keep face nice and clean. Thanks Andy 👍🏻

[@bricklayersworldwithandy6277]

👍

[@joehunter643]

Another interesting video andy 💪

[@alanwarren4587]

💯agree Andy with the pick and dip

[@nigelbarrett3602]

Nice video again Andy really enjoying your channel. No pick and dip here in Cornwall no bricks just concrete blocks. Ps we have concrete trench blocks down here they are 450 ×300×100 no cavity below ground anymore. Thanks again Andy.

[@wolfganghachmuth5419]

A 12 inch concrete block sounds fun.

[@Jim_Newlands]

Same up here in the Scottish Highlands, mate! Lightweight trench blocks are a rarity up here!

[@Yiddo67]

Great form of contraception Nigel

[@Ireland-bc2gx]

Great video Andy 👍

[@brickbybric]

I think when frank bunker gilbrith spoke of the Eastern method he was talking about the eastern u.s.a . But definitely what came to be known as pick and dip in the u.s.a was a method brought to America by Dutch and German etc bricklayers . Very interesting video Andy .

[@bricklayersworldwithandy6277]

👍

[@glencortez6181]

Thanks for the video , I don’t lay bricks at all anymore over here , it’s all stonemasonry now for me still find it interesting 👍

[@shanerankin2084]

Hi Andy went to Germany in 92 stayed there till 99 pick & dip became the norm great times 👍🍺🍺

[@bricklayersworldwithandy6277]

👍yep these youngans now will never see them days.👍

[@MarkSmith-jt1yj]

Great video Andy, like how you use a roll of roofing felt to put down ,I've always done that easy clean up at end of job ,see poeple with mortar all over pavements and people's paths and got a dirty job ,😁

[@bricklayersworldwithandy6277]

Always done it, hate clearing up 👍

[@Clumsoethewonderdog]

Great vid, I just find working out of a tub so un British like. I've tried pick and dip and not being able to drag enough much to the perps drive me nuts.

[@Yiddo67]

Top video Top bloke Andy 👏

[@markrobinson1458]

Economy of labour throughout your career, longevity of life is key to making a living after 50, great one again Andy, informative for the up and coming, take care lad 👍🧱

[@matthewingham7806]

Cracking bloke this guy ....very knowledgeable

[@matthewingham7806]

I'm a forty year old bricklayer pal could watch your videos all day

[@scottnever8732]

Love your videos Andy, I have been in the trade near on 40 years and never seen pic n dip used, I have tried it myself, thing is when you're so used to doing things a certain way retraining is hard

[@bricklayersworldwithandy6277]

Yep, no need to change if you are happy with the way you do it, I just like changing about, I may use 4 different trowels in a week. 👍

[@mathewmurphy2790]

That's the Irish in ya Andy the kindness 😊❤😂

[@SteveAndAlexBuild]

Very interesting as always Andy 🧱🧱🧱🧱🧱👍🏽

[@bricklayersworldwithandy6277]

👍

[@avemariaonelectricguitar]

About those full perps. It is not entirely unimporant to mention the difference in finishing the pointing work Holland/England. Still and certainly in the days when you worked in Holland ( as you know) the mortar was taken out about 1,5 cm and pointing was later without lime and more cement by other craftsman (de voeger). Later also the use of a raker came, but deepened. In Holland they also have a history of using bricks about 4 cm high. That also can explain the "pic and dip" method there.

[@bricklayersworldwithandy6277]

Correct, i think i did mention that 👍

[@daleharrison1689]

Not heard that term before. We face walls with stone in my area brick only rarely, lay them now using out of buckets, with bucket trowels like the one you made rounded off, still bed per-ends though. We rake out joints and point afterwards. Do this method now because cannot get good labourers, so Labour on ourselves, and do not use ligger boards anymore. When I started work, we built the outer leaf of stone first, then slat up the backs of stone to seal all joints, before laying the inner leaf. Worked off floor joists etc walling overhand, so no need for external scaffolding. Pointing was done after completion of walling off a needle and pole scaffold with maximum of 2 heavy planks if you were lucky, no safety rails or braces, needles in vertical joints stop sway. (sometimes). Good old days hey. 😂

[@jeztickles4361]

Story time with uncle Andy!! 🤣I’m currently in Dominican Republic watching this! Laying on sun bed watching my mate Andy! 🎉

[@bricklayersworldwithandy6277]

Have a great time mate.

[@jeztickles4361]

@@bricklayersworldwithandy6277 cheers bud

[@ozbrick498]

At last a bricklayer on KZbin that knows what he is talking about good on you mate

[@bricklayersworldwithandy6277]

👍

[@davidbrightman6987]

Great video Andy I have the Gilbreith book read it all the time. It’s funny I thought he was talking about East Coast vs West Coast USA but maybe your right with your theory. It’s a great read and there is a lot of insight on how things used to be done and how he used time and motion studies to help make the bricklaying trade much more efficient. A lot of it has to do with how much handling of the brick and movements of the bricklayer can be streamlined to make it easier and faster. He also has another book on concrete construction but I haven’t been able to get my hands on it yet! Have a great weekend 👍

[@bricklayersworldwithandy6277]

You could be right 👍

[@byronfowler5988]

this fella is proper !!

[@johnhutchins2989]

Enjoyable video as always.

[@tyronrogerson5077]

On straight flanks i pick and dip , obviously with more and more practice i got very good at it ,so yeah its the way to do it

[@deribrown]

I’ve got a narrow London pattern trowel that I don’t get on with, I might modify it like yours.

[@AdamHatch]

Nice one Andy, enjoy that wine mate 😁🤙🏻

[@bricklayersworldwithandy6277]

Thanks 👍

[@hotpoker4212]

Great video and advice, what make is that blue handled trowel,🇨🇮🇨🇮🇨🇮

[@bricklayersworldwithandy6277]

Its an old WHS with a Bon plastic handle.

[@masonry201]

Great video! I use pick and dip in competitions. I live in the states. Made it to Vegas a couple times. In perfect conditions, I’m over 800/hour, with building leads too. They’re not all perfect! My head joints (perps) aren’t as full as I’d like, but I’m working on it. I use a marshalltown coke trowel.

[@bricklayersworldwithandy6277]

That's good going 👍, ile take a look at the Coke trowel,thanks for watching.

[@richardstetson8221]

The only guy I seen use pic n dip at the spec mix was a guy from New Jersey his name is Johnny langeraap i thought he used it all the time cus that's the way most bricklayer do it in the northeast and when I watched the competition they said he was the only guy to use pic n dip in the national competition in Las Vegas

[@masonry201]

Langeraap is the man! Watch the newest 2023 competition, you’ll see me in it. Stall 12 PB.

[@claytonsmith84]

800/per hour?? You're avin a larf 😂

[@johnbodey7326]

Pick and dip is faster but it's hard work because you're holding the brick in mid air longer

[@Joe-jv5mm]

Bud, you're a fountain of Knowledge

[@RosierConstruction]

I agree pick and dip looks nasty for the majority of people and I can’t stand seeing empty joints 😂

[@delscorey8727]

Very interesting...thanks Andy....

[@bricklayersworldwithandy6277]

👍

[@jackrussell9811]

lay a brick , cut off excess muck and use it to perp the brick , same as you did best method , years ago i heard it called "tip and run"

[@bricklayersworldwithandy6277]

👍

[@TopCatsBack]

I've done p & d (home counties UK) in winter with damp bricks and you can get them down easy enough with normal perps with clip on face to really fill joint up . Tight perps forget it , dry bricks prob the same . Very circumstantial . The money is made in the office that's the reality. Or a greedy ganger with line lizards but that's his headache and lies to tell . You any good on Popmaster ?

[@bricklayersworldwithandy6277]

Not to bad lol👍

[@TopCatsBack]

@@bricklayersworldwithandy6277 the bonus points really decide the winner .

[@user-wf9xs5dp7p]

I came across pick and dip bricklayer in the eighties,when they got away with laying london bricks frog down, he never Perped a brick and his Labourer jointed up all his work. The house shot up. Young lads do this ,but i said” There’s a perp worm on the site.. they think i’m mad… i perp my work… and after 8 months they still didn’t lay as much as me …. i finally got to prove them why i do ,stronger bond… the wind caught our work …. mine stayed up,there’s blew down… i was crying with laughter…. I’ve got city and Guilds…. they were given a NVQ …. it’s a joke .. old school is the better trowels… 38 years experience proves that!!!!

[@kdbrickwork]

Nice content andy

[@bricklayersworldwithandy6277]

👍

[@northlondonmasons107]

I’d say your pretty good at pick and dip Andy have you tried using a finer building sand like from selco or builder depot left to mix in the mixer with feb for a good while , that muck looks a tad too tough

[@bricklayersworldwithandy6277]

I just use whatever the builder gets 😁

[@northlondonmasons107]

@@bricklayersworldwithandy6277 clever sod

[@stephenmckenna7663]

You need the perfect mix to fill you perps otherwise takes u twice as long to point up

[@reeslodge24]

I’ve worked on sites in West Oxfordshire for 21 years and haven’t met one person yet who does pick and dip nor my dad who’s worked on sites for 43 years

[@bricklayersworldwithandy6277]

That's what ime thinking 👍

[@lmilne4859]

The chicken dipper. Lol. 🤟🤟

[@johngilly9323]

Yeah, have trowel will travel, Was in Toronto 85/86 and Germany Early 90s, great times

[@bricklayersworldwithandy6277]

Weren't they just, ive said it before the young ones will never see them days because of Brexit and i dont think most of them have it in them anyway unfortunately ,Ozz is a good trip though.👍

[@rorypower544]

top video!

[@harveysmith100]

A few points Andy. Let's start with a rant. In this day and age with all the bastard computer programmes, why aren't all windows designed to fit bond. Rant over. Love the yellow board stands you use, clever with the boards on them. We have to look after our backs. Pick an dip. I do use my own variation sometimes if the bricks are very dry and absorbent. I perp up first the old fashioned way, a trowel full of muck, enough for one brick, quick bed joint and lay the brick whilst there is still life in the pug.

[@bricklayersworldwithandy6277]

1.200 windows don't, dont get me going on that one, I did a vid a couple of year's ago on your method of P&D , it works well and full joints 👍

[@smurftastic3928]

Jackanory Andy now 👏👏👏👏

[@brickbybric]

Andy from watching the Dutch videos it seems they lay brick exclusively using profiles . It strikes me that they would consider building freehand corners with a level and tape or may be a gauging rod to be a fairly imprecise way of working . Did you ever discuss any of that with them when you were there . When I was in the states in 1987 it was all profiles ,they had what they called a lead man who set out the bond put up the profiles and he would also mark the gauge up the profile .

[@bricklayersworldwithandy6277]

When i was there the Carpenters set the job out and erect the profiles so you just turned up on the job and laid bricks.Anything is possible but it would be just to slow building corners with that muck and they would never consider it, they have their system and it works for them. Could you put a link up on Pavelas Orlovas comment on where to get the tubs from in Germany as i dont know.👍

[@JayKTS]

There are teams or companies in Belgium that still work that way in general .. I mean two guys measuring out the walls put up profiles and gauge the whole thing

[@bricklayersworldwithandy6277]

@@JayKTS Yea, i didnt think much had changed, the system works👍

[@craigstyrin3453]

Old boy at college drilled into us when ever you pick a trowel full of gear always pick up a brick, save your back

[@bricklayersworldwithandy6277]

Same👍

[@markroe5845]

Hi Andy is that a bon trowel blue handle?

[@bricklayersworldwithandy6277]

No mate its an old WHS i put a Bon handle on it.

[@liamwalters5029]

Is that the whs with the Bon handle on it ?

[@bricklayersworldwithandy6277]

Yes it is.

[@paska22222]

love the video! can you please share the link for the tubs you use in the video?

[@bricklayersworldwithandy6277]

I dont have a link, ive had them 25 years.

[@paska22222]

where can i buy them? could you please point me in the right direction ?

[@brickbybric]

@@bricklayersworldwithandy6277 I’ll try Andy but I notice KZbin don’t seem to be allowing links unless your linking to a KZbin video . I’ve found the crowd I got them off in Germany .

[@brickbybric]

Left the link Andy but it disappeared after about 10 minutes

[@bricklayersworldwithandy6277]

@@brickbybric Ok thanks mate, can you just post the name of the company, thats the best we can do 👍

[@alexanderscaffold7149]

Andy’s forgotten more than most Brickies will ever know 👌

[@bricklayersworldwithandy6277]

👍

[@StevenORourke-le8me]

Where can I get those tubs Andy??

[@bricklayersworldwithandy6277]

Bought them many years ago from a DIY shop long gone. You can get them from Germany they are not expensive but the postage is crippling. Lidle and Aldi sometimes sell them .

[@bricklayersworldwithandy6277]

@@brickbybric I will have to check that out👍

[@robertshaw7241]

I get what you are saying andy regarding trampling up and down but the weather and what you are laying plays a big factor in laying technique. Take engineering bricks on a damp day you could long bed a full plot versus a dry clay brick in full sun where the muck goes off 3 bricks along trying to long bed. Different days different means as long as the job’s done right and the customer is happy

[@bricklayersworldwithandy6277]

Totaly agree Robert, you need a lot in your armoury to cope with all situations.Long bed is a method i would use with as you say wet bricks or pissy muck, its a method i use especially on over hand work or half brick walls on garages.I will do a vid on it when i get on the right job to show it👍

[@geraldhalbert2542]

I doesn't matter what way you lay bricks self preference

[@eddstoddart8096]

Personally I like the video of Glen Vennes (?) working out of tubs , small trowel, gettin them laid down

[@bricklayersworldwithandy6277]

Glen is a funny man and good at what he does.

[@baldyslapnut.]

Great video Andy keep paying it forward. Glenn Veness has some good videos on pick and dip, and like Andy says, is funny with it. The efficiency of p+d is clear to see. It also is much less hard on your body with the number of repetitive movements saved. Resistance to change always leaves some people behind, e.g.Longbridge, Fleet Street printers. Bricklaying may be reduced to blocks in substructures and craning in prefab panels with brick slip cladding. Not so weather dependent, less labour, quicker construction timespans? Discuss.

[@bricklayersworldwithandy6277]

@@baldyslapnut. We are always slow on the uptake in this country with new products. Glue blocks are used all over Europe but UK builders dont like change or i believe they think we dont have the skill set.

[@jackturnermx6176]

God I can’t stand when I’m working with a bricky who can’t fill their joints takes em 3x longer to joint up but they think they’re rapid

[@bricklayersworldwithandy6277]

Yep really annoying.

[@wolfganghachmuth5419]

It doesn't suit the English way, because the bricks are too big. But u can still pick and dip if u use the scrape off and perp the next brick, instead of flicking the muck back. Just my opinion.

[@bricklayersworldwithandy6277]

You are correct in my opinion, also have a look at Anders Gaming You tube channel Danish Bricklayer, his London flick 😁👍👌

[@rudo747]

Yeah ,you are right mate , you can make it work the way you say ,a do a similar method, lad who I still work with the odd know and then used to do p+d method back in the early eighties and I mention it to him , nothing new really👍

[@jasonveale8560]

Run your muck out full course, have a preferable way mines right to left , mate left to right ( both of us both perp first brick and excess every brick is enough for next ! No hitting lines spreading when the other laying ( trust me it’s the best format in a two & one )

[@kareboantario9295]

Pic and dip is very easy and more healthy for bricklayers.

[@ashleypickering34]

I wouldn't sit like that 😂

[@davidsanders2806]

End of the day it's bricklaying stick to the traditional way you need knowledge aswel to get out of a hole ect

[@bricklayersworldwithandy6277]

👍

[@PaddleDogC5]

Joint can easily be made full.

[@StephenCordella]

Thats How You Do It !!!!!

[@colleenmcfarland8298]

I've seen blokes try it ang coz they not put enough Donald on the wall there peeps ended up well back from the one below

[@bricklayersworldwithandy6277]

Easy done👍

[@johncuthbertson2565]

Don't see me changing to that technique any time soon 🤷🏻‍♂️. Everyone wants half round joints in uk

[@richardstetson8221]

There's a Danish bricklayer anders on KZbin who uses that triangle trowel and the other one Jay puyonbrueck who uses the rounder one for pic n dip I'm sure you have seen them andy

[@bricklayersworldwithandy6277]

Yes Richard i talk to them both 👍

[@richardstetson8221]

I use a 9in w rose and I was taught pic n dip I live in the northeast United States and the guys I work with would think I was crazy if I started spreading the wall most of them don't watch KZbin and see any other way as a total waste of time I know there's people who can lay bricks fast both ways

[@StephenCordella]

The only way to lay brick, where are you from Andy ?

[@bricklayersworldwithandy6277]

London

[@dragginmedown]

Seems like you use a lot more mortar though.

[@bricklayersworldwithandy6277]

Can do if its not done properly

[@PaddleDogC5]

Pick and dip you don't touch the bed you just roll it on the brick.

[@charlesviner1565]

👍🧱

[@scottnever8732]

pic n dip looks more tiring also working from buckets dont help

[@bricklayersworldwithandy6277]

Its actually less tiring and easier👍

[@PaddleDogC5]

To long to pick up your mortar. Probably 3x to long mimimum.

[@papalegba6796]

Charlie Collinson is not a bricky.

[@jimmymorgan3324]

WHY DID.NT. YOU MATCH THE. FLEMMISH BOND OF THE SUROUNDING. WALLS! looks like a. Garage wall

[@bricklayersworldwithandy6277]

I explained that,as it meets the corner to the right it's half bond so we whent with that. Personally I agree with you but when the bricks don't even match and the builder doesn't give a fuk because of costs I just do the job and get paid. If I were to quote the job as the builder I would quote for the correct materials and finish, and you know what I wouldn't get the job because of the high cost of doing it properly, and don't shout at me.

[@PaddleDogC5]

Bond lost

[@PaddleDogC5]

Anyone woeking out of a tub is clueless and slow.

[@PaddleDogC5]

To o much mortar left because you spread to much.

[@liamwalters5029]

I run a little business we do nowadays with certain bricks 🧱

[@brickrightbuildinglandscaping]

If i lived closer id av a pint with you Andy .So knowledgeable about the trade .Top stuff mate fairplay. 👌 🧱🧱👍

[@bricklayersworldwithandy6277]

One day maybe 👍🍺🍺

[@brickrightbuildinglandscaping]

@@bricklayersworldwithandy6277 👍👌🤣🧱