Trying Pick and Dip VS Traditional Method - Bricklaying

[@Jess-vt1yl]

That ain’t pick and dip u don’t butter the brick

[@Fromupnorth46]

I watched a video by a bricklayer who did a few videos highlighting pick n dip. I had a go at it. Took a week or so to get the technique right and I’m now laying more bricks using that method than traditional. Found the old trowel that was smaller trowel helped too. But tbh does it really matter 🤷‍♂️ each to their own. As long as the quality is there and your earning just do it however you feel comfortable. Spot boards set higher helps for pick n dip too. 🧱👍

[@Stucrompton1]

i think it would be evern better for footings where you dont have to worry so much about clean cavity

[@sebby2468]

We use this method in Sweden,furrowing the bed here is a no go, because of the long winters,any water sat in the furrows would freeze and the wall would be ruined,you are a top brickie,and as you say find the way that works for you best.

[@Stucrompton1]

So what do you reckon guys and gals, pick and dip or traditional? comment below :) Edit: I will try another time by not buttering and using the mortar on the beds to fill the perp Stay tuned for part 2 😂

[@sarno85]

traditional just feels better in the hand.

[@TheTraditionalGolfer]

Traditional for me Stu I've tried both ....to many movements with pick & dip!! I'm much faster traditional method and let's be honest there's a reason it's been around forever!

[@paulblack3771]

If you look at most of the bricklaying videos on KZbin from around the world the vast majority of the bricklayers bed for one brick at a time .its really only English speaking country’s that use the long bed method .

[@omarayala8427]

Just depends on how you got taught and if you feel comfortable with that technique. Also here in Texas its all about speed if you want to make a profit. You just feel pressured to go as fast as possible with the downside of quality going down unfortunately that's the sad truth.

[@GiftedUplifted]

Only a few mins in too watching and I'm a traditional commercial USA bricky who is interested in all ur video but if I try pic n dip I've seen it were there are not needed to make a head joint but the sliding action backwards on the behind brick there's enough to create a full joint bc no furrow was made! So I wonder if that can be done.

[@johnblackburn7673]

Well Stu you are obviousely more comfortable with the traditional method. I agree with everything you say especially about what is right for the individual and advantages/disadvantages of each method eg pick and dip better in hot weather. I am not a bricklayer. I have been a Plumber for 40yrs. I have always adapted and learnt from others one thing I did notice is that you were looking to improve and take on the good bits from each method like any good tradesman should. Only the most arrogant think they know it all. Well done great video

[@marni1097]

One of the main advantages of pic & dip method is that u don’t have to butter each brick 🤣 u push the bed up to make the perp

[@leeatkinson8113]

You shouldn't be buttering any of the bricks stu

[@wolfganghachmuth5419]

I don't think pick'n dip is suited to the English way. It comes from the continent, where all the work gets raked out and pointed after. Here the brickwork gets joined as u go along. So the joints have to be full and flush, otherwise they crumble after a few years.

[@nickm1094]

Where im from in Australia they only do 1 one at a time because its 40+ degrees Cel in the summer, and 25 in the winter lol

[@nikolazdelar1730]

Nick M where about date you mate? I worked in Perth and found this to be the case and even adopted the style while there, but in Victoria I find most bricks will still spread in front of them when the weather allows it

[@gobricklaying106]

Thanks for the video Stu..! For me I spread the wall first and then lay brick too. I have used pick and dip,or spread for one brick, on hot days and where the brick is super absorbent. Also when I get to laying chest hi I lay backwards or right to left if right handed, it is more natural for me.

[@lengthmuldoon]

The variant I've watched doesn't involve buttering they just wap a huge dollop of really creamy muck as the bed and the perp gets formed as the brick slides horizontally through the mortar pushing a gob of muck against the preceding brick. Maybe that's where they save time

[@wolfhachmuth7731]

This system comes from germsny and holland, where the bricks are smaller in height. So the perps get filled easier. Also, it's all raked out there anyway. As fast as the english way, if done properly.

[@brothermaleuspraetor9505]

To be honest, you don't butter up in pic n dip. You just plop the muck down thick and then scoop the brick into the other standing perp at an angle as you go in front to back, like you were laying, so that it squeezes muck into the perp joint. Also, you angle the brick sideways from far face, leaning into the outer face, scraping off the muck as it squeezes out to the front, outer face. Not much comes out behind but you can scrape off as you go. But doing pic n dip is about twice as fast than traditional.

[@greo7657]

Stu I tried the pick n dip method today for the first time and enjoyed it although I was taught the traditional way 27 years ago! The trick is to lay a big bed then push the brick into it to form the perp. Takes a bit of getting used to but I'll keep trying it 😉👍

[@Stucrompton1]

i will try again sometime buddy

[@jm53274]

Great video Stu.Prefer traditional method though

[@nandoguti1039]

I'm a bricklaying and what I my doing is spraying all the way long and after that put the 23 bricks in 1:35 Just trying one day. I recommend you is don't put the brick cement every times before laying.

[@aydenfrac]

I’ve been watching a lot of videos on pick and dip. I use a combination of it and traditional spreading. Spread the wall with a lot of mud. Be sure to spread the majority to the front of the wall. No head joint or perp. Just slide your brick back through the mud creating a head joint. Then take extra bed joint and plop it on top of the head joint. Rinse and repeat.

[@paulnolan4464]

Im in Australia ,did my trade in London, i stick with the traditional method as it suits me, even though its extremely hot in summer , i spread for around 10 to 12 bricks, doesn't take long to cover that

[@patrickhance7211]

This was a good review on brickwork. In Belgium go like this take a brick look at it than take mortar for two bricks take a brick take mortar for two bricks .... you now how goes . Stu this was a good example like it very much.👍 Pat

[@markfelts3976]

Looks like you could do with the bricks and parge a bit closer at hand with that method, looks well anyway.

[@ChristopherCotter1]

Why are you wasting time buttering if you're doing pic n dip?

[@travellerboy9475]

Hi Stu, just out of curiosity how come you don’t bed out a few courses ahead? Cheers

[@disc5339]

I’m always giving the hod carriers a hard time after they knock a brick into the mortar. I will pick it up, dip the brick into the mortar and lay it! I thought that was the pick and dip method!

[@alexeysamoyluk356]

Nice work, STU! 1.Why are the bottom four rows made of hollow bricks and then you put all the other basic solid bricks? 2. What is the difference between these bricks? Clinker? What are their sizes? 3. What masonry mortar do you use? 4. What wire do you use to connect blocks and bricks to each other, stainless steel?

[@jakeshomeimprovements4526]

Pick and dipping works best when you scoop the mortar with the end of the brick to fill your joint rather than buttering the brick every time. If you bed heavy and roll the brick from back to front there are very few snots on the back. North western brickie here and always lay pick and dip. But that was a solid effort takes a while to get used to a new method and speed comes from experience. I always find I’m faster when I’m calm when I feel rushed I make mistakes.

[@Stucrompton1]

Cheers Jake, i did roll but probably not enough, may try again but I don’t think I will. Change because the beds are never uniform, you would have to judge the amount of mortar perfectly each time to get a consistent lay but the traditional you work the mortar to a consistent bed throughout so I find it easier to lay on that bed but I may give it another whirl with the dip perp joints

[@jakeshomeimprovements4526]

I use a smaller trowel when I’m laying, mostly because I broke my elbow when I was finishing my apprenticeship and get mega bad tennis elbow. My trowel is the same size as a Dutch trowel so a full trowel is almost a perfect gauge for one brick.

[@liammoorhouse8476]

Great to see another video up stu. I find these videos extremely informative and this is helped me a lot as I’m soon to be a brick apprentice. Keep up the good work stu

[@dazza944]

The proper pick n dip is laying more than usual amount of muck on the bed and don’t butter your bricks. The idea is to push the brick into the muck and it oozes in the perp. Hence the word “dip” you’re literally dipping the brick into the muck

[@Stucrompton1]

Yeah I will try again Daz I just thought it was taking brick and mortar at same time

[@dazza944]

stu crompton I’m by no means knocking your work cos you’re a bricklaying genius 💪🏻

[@markhep]

I prefer traditional way but I do love a pick and mix on the way home😂😂😂😂👍👍👍👍good stuff stu

[@Stucrompton1]

😂

[@unkn0wn894]

Australian bricklayer i have always spread my whole course and laid pushing each buttered brick forward(working right to left) and double buttering the last brick of each course. i feel like its much quicker than either of the examples ive seen in this video.

[@mattybro88]

Pick & dip at waist height and above, always. Agree, more useful in the heat. Once you get used to it you can put your joint on with the bed. I reckon it uses more mortar in the end as you don't furrow it but it's a better job because there will be less voids.

[@anders3161]

Here in Norway, we have 2-5 cm between Brick and insulation with airspace. So it does not matter how much mortar that squeezes out on the back.

[@140rware]

If it squeezes out , you don't have 2.5 anymore.

[@alwynmaguire8037]

Surely you should have your spot board closer aswell as bricks. I first seen this method being used in the early 90's by the dutch. 3 of us v/s 3 of them on a cellar. They absolutley creamed us. My concern is the amount of muck behind the wall as I tend to scrape the back of each brick after laying. I still lay an average of 800 a day using traditional method so Im not bothered about the pic and dip method. I also like a full perp it's easier to joint afterwards. Nice vid tho bro.

[@stephenlewis4342]

great video stu you had the same problems as me when i tryed it.i found laying right to left was easier picking and dipping.

[@Stucrompton1]

I will try that in part 2 pal

[@chrisbarnes6149]

Its wrong from the start , no cross joint needed that's the pick n dip part not pick joint n dip

[@garethshaw5210]

Great video Stu. Traditional method looks a lot more natural and most of all neater. Slow and steady wins the race! 👍👌

[@Thishandleisavailabl.e]

No need to butter your perp or v your bed with pick and dip just throw it on push up to perp to fill it in and roll brick from back to front (it’s something you need to practice) Great vid as usual SC!

[@heidititcomb8619]

Oi oi I was in spec mix 500 3 years ago competing,,, unbelievable experience there was a Canadian guy who pissed it with over 900 bricks in a hour, with the pick and dip method how ever the judges didn’t mark his wall well and had loads of corrections great videos , tidy 👌🏻

[@valdirbigg8608]

Hello friend VC could explain how this system that VC uses to stretch the lines and how it does. They are not in the rules. Thank you. Congratulations on your work ..

[@josephdobbs3436]

When I've seen the pick n dip method they don't butter the brick , they fill the perp as they dip n push it up to the next brick not that I've tried it myself . Wellin Stu 👍

[@marcusmason3440]

Pick n dip you get less injuries......elbow n shoulder. try laying your bed at a slight angle to the front and swiping up the muck for the perp with the heel of the brick.....takes a little practice but fast and easy on your wrist..... I still do the twirl for blocks.... As you say so well.......each to there own

[@jakobkogutz5978]

We usually spread about halfway down a 30 brick pull depending on how wet our mud is

[@adamrobinson3184]

Mud ? Not head that b4 where u from pal ?

[@Militia_Dei777]

Stu you're a good brickie and i am not having a go at you but one of the reasons behind the Pick and Dip method is that you don't need to 'butter a brick' 😀😀

[@Stucrompton1]

I know bud I messed up 👍 I will do another video without buttering 😁

[@dirtyhorse5090]

I've found that it works well especially if you work alone. Don't have to worry about the motar drying before you get to the end

[@solidus784]

I'm a sparks not a block layer so maybe a dumb question, but why not lay the other way so you can look along the bricks as you go to see if the line is snagged or whatever.

[@patricksoyer5665]

you are an artist !! i watch from France !!

[@scottarthurs3921]

also, pick and dip they would not butter head joint, but pull the bricks thru the mortar to fill the head joint

[@kellyflynn4060]

Well I like you Stu and it’s interesting seeing how it’s done in the UK. Im in Mississippi and believe me it’s way hotter here than there, but we still spread more than one brick at a time, i would go broke if we did it like that. Also , why don’t you set some boards on mud stands ( a table) to keep from wearing yourself out. I enjoy your passion for brick laying it’s fun to watch. How do you do radius curved wing walls with steps it would be nice to see how y’all do them over there.

[@craighughescraig6096]

Maybe lift up spot boards up higher, maybe be easier for speed in both methods.!

[@fordmodela3641]

One thing I've learned from pro teachers is that if this is going to be your career, you have to protect your body and joints. Credit to ~Charles Cummins~The first method really made you work much harder at bending and flexing. That method could wear your body out in a few years. You should do what ever wears on you less! My opinion. Great videos!

[@140rware]

The best answer. Your back put first .

[@mikeberry304]

Buttered like toast there Stu, great video showing 2 different methods , well done

[@pb9926]

I would say traditional is better Stu but I know nothing about bricklaying really 🤔 I just like the videos mate so keep up the great work 👍

[@JameyRocket]

I believe the fastest method is using traditional, but as you did at 12:08 ( your speed also increased atm) I always do it that way and have always beat someone who butters the brick they grab. I always use the mud I scraped from the one I layed and butter the one just payed. Sometimes I don't even cut my mud off from the furrow if I'm running bigger head joints. Your skills are fabulous man, I'm just saying.

[@valdirbigg8608]

Ola amigo VC poderiam min explicar como é esse sistema que VC usa pra esticar as linhas e como faz. Elas nas réguas nai cau não. Obrigado. Parabéns pelo o seu trabalho..

[@hugospeksnijder8774]

Pick and drip is how we do in the Netherlands except we use 'waal' bricks and are mortar is different. you should take a look we call bricklaying 'metselen'. Greetings.

[@Stucrompton1]

Thanks buddy will take a look

[@hugospeksnijder8774]

@@Stucrompton1 💪 love your vids btw keep it up

[@fintan3563]

I’ve seen people lay bricks hallow side down. You lay them hallow side up. Is there a difference?

[@michealbreathnach2928]

Always honest Stu. Your videos are great

[@biomed2560]

I thought it was brilliant. There is a whole lot of skill there which is not fully apparent, for example laying the bricks with the back edge first so the excess mortar squeezes to the front but finishing up so the bricks are level front to back, then laying then so they are level left to right, then getting the mortar mix just right so the bricks tap down easily, then the lightning quick strike off of the excess mortar, getting the perps in line, getting the bricks to form a flat face to the wall. I'm envious!

[@beardedbricky7834]

Hey bro love the fact that you tried and have such a great attitude about life and masonry. Pick in dip is faster when your material is at height of waist and up. Also no need to add the perp joint as the extra mortar is used as a squeezed in joint. Also the trowel can be much smaller. Less than 10 inches because instead of spreading 2-3 brick you are spreading one at a time. Also saved your wrist/ elbow. Love the video keep it up! And like you said everyone has their way. As long as it is level plumb and straight. That’s all that matters!

[@TheNakedrat]

i tried it this way once found it harder guess it's works if its the only way you do it

[@jamesgill4765]

Is it a northern thing putting the perp on the front of the brick to be laid to ? If it’s front or back always put the perp on where the brick will be pressed against , in a hot day you will see

[@liljiro1995]

Isn't pick and dip where you don't butter the brick you dip it into the big bed hence the name pick and dip?

[@mattybro88]

No, you pick the brick up and the dip is getting the mortar from the board at the same time..that's what I thought anyway?

[@joehodges1237]

Nah his right pick n dip you don't butter, the way u put the brick down slides the muck up. but it wastes muck as falls down cavity but is good in excessive heat as Stu sez but personally traditional all the way faster and less wastage.

[@Stucrompton1]

Yeah I thought that bud you pick the brick you dip your trowel. Anyway the essence of the method is that you get your mortar and brick at the same time. The traditional you spread through as one part then lay brick secondly. No pun intended but people are going to pick at the video anyway, can’t stop pessimists they can find fault on anything 😁 keep on laying 👍👍👌

[@SM-og3un]

But the whole point is to see which is faster and you've defeated the purpose by buttering the brick which in the pick and dip is eliminated,saving time.

[@Stucrompton1]

ok bud i will maybe try again with part 2 cheers

[@wayneleone]

Have you tried the bricky mate tool? Just wondering what you make of it. Would it not be faster again or would that be heresy?

[@Stucrompton1]

Seen it but not used it

[@johnwargo8990]

Great video Stu. What brand and style of trowel do you use? And do you use the same trowel when you do the block work?

[@andrewholt4425]

Stu just wanted to say my 6 yr old daughter lives watching you work she always asks if the best brickie has added any new video's at bedtime, we're in South Wales she loves your accent and runs around the house imitating it, she met her great grandpa George last week for the first time who's from Burnley ( hapton) and she thought it was great lol.... I'd say traditional method suits you better mate and Catrin agrees 🤦‍♂️

[@Stucrompton1]

Ah bless your daughter mate tell her thanks so much for watching ❤️

[@andrewholt4425]

@@Stucrompton1 I shall read her your reply tomo she'll be well chuffed mate👍

[@pprich1]

👍

[@paulgreene421]

Great stuff stu. Keep up the good work

[@jonodogdesign]

would a smaller trowel and wetter mud help the pick and dip method?

[@Stucrompton1]

Yes I think so

[@courtneyearl8628]

Both times were the same?? You buttered on both courses?

[@peterdawson5115]

Traditional looks a better technique to me Stu, keep them coming 😀

[@JoseCastillo-eo3me]

The traditional way but I go backwards to see if I made any mistakes idk just works out better for me

[@jamescoleman5195]

Top work again stu a joy to watch as always

[@waynebarker1426]

Have to agree with you there stu but they say pick and dip is easier on your body... it feels slow and awkward to me but im not used to it so suppose it will at first.

[@waterboy8999]

Neat work either way Stu.

[@pb9926]

I'm sure I heard KC lurking in the distance or someone that sounds just like him 😉

[@michaelstevens3479]

Lay mortar for two bricks with a trowel full say three times,now pick up and lay six bricks = nine actions pick and dip is six actions for same result.

[@cindygirlification]

It’s not a matter of deciding you want to try pick and dip . It’s a matter of practicing the method and re forming the muscle memory. As a bricklayer knows that takes between a year to 18 months to get proficient .

[@glenngreenhalgh6099]

hi stu could you give me an indipendant view on my extension im in dispute with the company about quality of brick work and would appreciate profesional advice, i live in rochdale cheers hope to hear soon

[@Stucrompton1]

Hi glen you can email me some pics to [e-mail] I can have a look

[@glenngreenhalgh6099]

hi stu ive sent some pics to [e-mail] hope thats right cheers for your help again ,glenn

[@glenngreenhalgh6099]

@@Stucrompton1 oh if you would like to see more pics ive got loads not to mention foundations needed underpinning as they was a joke cheers glenn

[@pauldoherty8432]

Dip method not economic with movement, going to the spot every time For compo for each brick ... sod that my back won’t tolerate that for long

[@thanxx]

thats doesnt really make sense. and the demo given here was not pick and dip

[@mickburton6838]

Should be more economical as every time you turn back to the wall you have both hands full instead of just one

[@bobf1290]

Pic and dip is useless seen loads of videos on it perps are never full just bad practice in my opinion traditional method all the way if you can't cover more than 3 bricks with one trowel full of muck then your doing something wrong

[@GiftedUplifted]

Traditional but throwing the mud on two or three trowels down the wall then furrow 🔥

[@tobytayles1]

What happened to all the Ox bricklaying gear you had, no good?

[@Stucrompton1]

Nice to see you back, no I just went back to what I started with.

[@thanxx]

thanks for covering this. i asked you about it a few weeks ago :)

[@عليعزيزرسنالغالبي]

ما هو حجم المسطرين ال مارشال الذي تعمل به، 10،او11"

[@Ezagood]

Traditional method all day long, it's how I was reared

[@Stucrompton1]

I would tend to agree but thats because im use to it

[@dutch-w-1647]

Hi Stu i am a bricky from the Netherlands and every one uses the pick and dip method. But i think the mortar is different you can't use the traditional way. Keep up the good work i like your vids

[@Stucrompton1]

Ah I see buddy

[@carguy4v2222]

Thank you very much Stu, that's why I subscribed to your channel!!!

[@robinhadley]

Good to see you having a laugh mate. Looks like you enjoyed that 👍🏻

[@jamesgill4765]

I’m having a little tease with it sometimes the top of the perp is empty only 5-10 mm but work in practice . The guy in the vid is rushing and getting all flustered. Is what it is

[@andrewmurray8265]

I think that the pick n dip is a European thing as a lot of the time they don't bother with the perps and they use a delta trowel. I might be wrong. Your work is great by the way.

[@01ozey01]

What size trowl do you use stu

[@djmickyk1]

The Southerners probably use the pick and dip, as the lazy buggers probably build 20 bricks a day lol :D

[@chuwieno1]

The point of pic and dip is that you dont need to butter the brick each time, he could have layed out that course in half the amount of time

[@pinnaclegaming6019]

Did you both pick and dip?. I thought in pick and dip you didn't need to butter the brick. just dip it and slide it up.

[@Ianreason68]

your trowel is far too bit for pick n dip Stu. Like all your videos mate.

[@robertplatt1379]

i like your method better stu keep it up dude nice work

[@BillsAllotmentDiary]

I think from what I've seen you use the bed morter and the dip action to butter the new brick to the previous brick ie spread the bed pick a brick dip and scoop that's how I saw it done but I ain't a brickie

[@davepelfrey3958]

You use that trowel like a surgeon uses a scalpel. Excellent job! Love watching you lay those bricks. Especially when you get in a constant rhythm. Like a robot, LoL.

[@alligote1]

What about the ventilation gap between insulation and outer brick wall isn't it nessesary sorry my poor english i'm from russia

[@scottarthurs3921]

pick and dip has been used in the specmix 500. for the last 3 years at least 1 person has used it.

[@Stucrompton1]

Any winners yet?

[@scottarthurs3921]

@@Stucrompton1 not yet, ill try my best this year.

[@justice4g]

amazed we still use a gazillion little bricks to make a wall these days

[@mattybro88]

I always think that too 🤣 But it looks good and still goes up quick enough

[@Tom_Prendiville]

This brick buttering sounds almost pornographic 😂, great video as always stu 👍

[@simonruddy8265]

Stu, you looked so uncomfortable doing the pick and dip method. From my understanding a smaller trowl and not buttering is the fastest way, pick a brick and a trowl full of muck at the same time, your trowl was too big, and 50% of your time ia spent buttering, then taking extra time to pick your muck for the bed.

[@deanb61]

Looks like a cross between traditional and pick and dip?

[@michaelshults7675]

Your a good mason buddy. I agree, quality over quantity.

[@utilitarian]

As a non bricky I can’t really comment but traditional looks faster and more efficient? One at a time seems painful to watch!

[@Thishandleisavailabl.e]

Rian Murray it’s a good method once you’ve practiced it enough

[@lambretta12jamie]

It’s all down to muscle memory...😍

[@seanfauljr.5680]

Do you always lay left to right?

[@Stucrompton1]

Sometimes eight to left 👍

[@seanfauljr.5680]

Videos are class keep it up I’m in my 3rd year learning a lot from you