Pointing guns & sbr

[exoticpete]

Hello all first post so take it easy... We are pointing 300M2 of indian sandstone tomorrow lovely..! I have decided to try using pointing guns due to the size I know you have to add feb but should I also add SBR or will it effect the flow though the guns etc?

[GB_Groundworks]

You don't need sbr in your pointing, more for a bond bridge etc in your bed but it does have a plasticising quality but makes the mortar set much quicker. I've tried twice with own mix and guns and given up takes some patients and use buckets not shovels to get a consistent mix. Lots of plasticer and cement and experiment till you find a nice consistency. Most lads use the pre mixed mortars now but in my hung over state the name eludes me.

[Pablo]

Mortar with Sbr in it can also leave a nasty stain that's hard to clean so best kept away from pointing.

[msh paving]

Guns are great, but remember keep very clean wash after 3 tubes full,very fine sand high cement content , lots feb,no sbr,2/1 or 3/1 is ideal,keep it well mixed,fill the joints top to bottom leave till almost dry before striking off,1 man mixing and filling tubes 1 man on gun, MSH

[cookiewales]

better to use the ready mix stuff ie instarmac or easipoint instarmac do a yorkstone tone very good if you mix your own and get it wrong will cost bigtime at the price they charge instarmac 11pound bag does aprox 8m2 and bomb proof.have been paving for over 30 years and this beats them all for pointing no stains strikes well and stands the test of time.

[exoticpete]

Thanks for the tips think we will try 3:1 lots of Feb and paddle mix will post photos of finished job,

[lutonlagerlout]

pete i have tried knocking it up myself and it is a nightmare
as cookie says instarmac or easipoint both make a product that works really well
if it goes wrong it will cost big time
cheers LLL

[cookiewales]

Thanks for the tips think we will try 3:1 lots of Feb and paddle mix will post photos of finished job,

trust me have tried all the other options i and luton can point with trowel and pointing trowel to finish with no stains because were trained bricklayers but you can not do it as fast as the gun with the right stuff there mix is blended you cant copy it to the same standard by all means try it on 30m2 but 300m2 mmmm ps feb should not be used on ground pointing air entrainging feb blows in ice

[exoticpete]

Well after much thought we did the old fashion way, cookie your right about trying it on a smaller area next time , but is adding a little feb a no-no now ?

[cookiewales]

Well after much thought we did the old fashion way, cookie your right about trying it on a smaller area next time , but is adding a little feb a no-no now ?

use some sbr as a replacment you can make life a little bit easy by using fine washed plastering sand thats about the best other than gunpoint :;):