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The Quikpoint TURBO mortar pointing attachment can be fitted to a wide range of small rotary drills. We recommend you DO NOT fit to SDS drills or similar heavy duty drills, due to their bulk and weight. Most users operate the Quikpoint mortar pointing gun between 1000 and 1500 rev/min. A drill with a rotary speed selector (on the trigger) is ideal – a free running drill, with no speed limiting, is not recommended. A mains-powered drill will usually be most productive. Using a cordless drill suits some situations – but a cordless drill may only have two (maximum three) fixed speed settings. We offer the Quikpoint TURBO assembled on the Hikoki (Hitachi) D10VC3 mains drill; our current cordless offerings use selected Makita and DeWalt drills. Feel free to call or email us for further advice.
The Quikpoint TURBO repointing gun is suitable for cement or lime-based mortars. This can be self-mixed from the raw components or a ‘bagged’ product where you simply add water. Coarser aggregates can be carried through the gun, Heritage lime mixes being a good example. In all instances, using a ‘proper’ cement mixer is preferable; a Forced Action Pan Mixer is often used for Lime mortars. Using a drill and mixer paddle should be limited to ‘bagged’ mortars where only water is being added.
This question usually arises due to previous experiences with a handheld ‘mastic’ repointing gun where under pressure, the water can easily separate from the sand/cement mix. The Quikpoint TURBO mortar gun uses an auger to deliver the mortar to the pointing nozzle with very little pressure involved. In addition, there is a vibrator rod within the hopper, which agitates the mortar, before it reaches the auger. With a properly constituted mortar, the Quikpoint TURBO will not clog. If clogging is reported, the cause will usually be a poorly mixed mortar (we advise to run the mixer a bit longer) or the vibrator rod not functioning properly – the latter is a simple mechanical arrangement so at worst, it will involve replacing a couple of worn parts
Many factors involved but repointing and ‘striking’ 25 square metres of regular brickwork per day is well within the reach of any competent person and users have reported figures far in excess of this. Quikpoint TURBO pointing guns are also widely used on newbuild facades with brick-slip systems – this application lends itself to particularly high productivity rates. In terms of efficiency, it is well accepted that a Quikpoint mortar gun is significantly more productive (and less tiring) than a hand-operated ‘mastic’ pointing gun. A Quikpoint TURBO hopper can also be filled in less than 10 seconds – one user commented how he could dispense the contents of the Quikpoint hopper in less time than it previously took to dismantle, fill and re-assemble his ‘mastic’ gun.
The impossible question. Wear rate will depend upon the abrasiveness of the mortar. The Quikpoint TURBO mortar gun is fitted with a hardened steel auger. Few people comment on the wear rate or the replacement cost of an auger; many comment how the Quikpoint is so much faster than anything else they have used. The main wear part in a Quikpoint mortar gun is the auger. The auger fits inside a replaceable hard polythene sleeve; a sleeve typically lasts the life of three hardened augers. To maintain efficiency, the Vibrator Rod and Tube combination along with the associated Cam Roller are worth replacing on a regular basis.
When the mortar is of soft to medium hardness. Mortar rakes are not suitable for hard mortars.
Mortar rakes are perhaps the only solution for raking out irregular joints (such as random stonework) where a diamond raking disk or oscillating plunge blade can not follow the joint profile. They are also ideal for the short perp joints on brickwork, where a circular blade will not reach adequate depth due to the limitations imposed by the bricks above and below.
Our mortar rakes comprise carbide tungsten cutting strips (we refer to them as ’cutters’) brazed onto a steel core, which is secured in a hex-shaped holder, having an internal M14 thread to match that of an angle grinder spindle.
A 3 cutter rake will cut most aggressively so will be best for soft or crumbling mortar. By contrast, it is likely a 6 cutter rake will provide smoother operation on harder mortars, even though it may not cut any faster.
We offer the Termite angle grinder attachment which provides dust control / extraction in addition to a depth setting facility. When coupled with a suitable dust extractor (vacuum unit) substantially dust free operation will be achieved and the waste debris will also be collected. It is possible to use both 26 mm and 60 mm XL rakes with the Termite attachment; on deep cuts, two stage cutting using 26 mm and 60 mm rakes successively, will ensure maximum dust control.
We offer 8, 10 and 12 mm diameter rakes, in all lengths (26, 35, 60 and 120 mm). A 6 mm diameter, 26 mm rake is also available. All rakes are available with 3 cutters (‘cutters’ as explained in previous answer). Selected 26 mm rakes are also available with 4 and 6 cutters.
The standard length rake is 26 mm. We also have available 35 mm (L) 60 mm (XL) and 120 mm (XXL) rakes. The cutter length on the XXL rake is 60 mm; an extended shank contributes to the 120 mm overall length. Before deploying the 120 mm (XXL) rake, it is advisable to gain initial depth with either the 35 or 60 mm rake.
Covers in the range 820 to 850 mm wide; at the top limit, the depth of the cover becomes a contributory factor. Depending upon the equipment configuration, maximum lifting is in range 105 kg to 130 kg. Since the device is ‘powered’ by the operator, we ‘say’ an average-build person can comfortably lift covers equal to their own weight, all day long.
From a construction perspective, the product has been fully tested and certified to the limits advised in its User Guide; the product has been sold worldwide for over 10 years so the concept and functionality are well proven. From a user perspective, crucially the Manhole Buddy distances the operator from the danger areas in the vicinity of the drain cover, so traditional risks of slips, trips and trapped fingers or feet are eliminated. Secondly, traditional musculoskeletal risks are largely eliminated as lifting is achieved by a downward input from the operator.
The MagTec magnet is limited to lifting iron and steel covers – it won’t lift stainless steel or non-ferrous alloy items. Because there is no need to use the key slots in the cover (or clean them out) it is a much faster method of lifting manhole covers. In addition, the freedom to place the magnet at any point on the cover, allied to the high leverage facility on the Manhole Buddy lifting trolley, means jammed covers can be ‘cracked’. Safe and secure lifting of metallic covers is well proven and the User Guide outlines a simple technique for confident lifting of heavy covers. Some large metallic split covers may be challenging with the Manhole Buddy magnet option and for these we would recommend the alternative KeyTec lifting set, using the same Manhole Buddy lifting trolley.
Whilst the Manhole Buddy is quite a unique concept (being a human ‘powered’ lifter) there are a wide range of hydraulic manhole cover lifter designs in the marketplace, with differing capacities and functions. Generally, the Manhole Buddy is superior in its portability, speed of deployment and user safety. Its lifting limits, in terms of cover size and weight, meet the requirements of the majority of users, be they water engineers, surveyors, maintenance teams or security staff. A hydraulic cover lifter will be superior for much larger or heavier covers – certain hydraulic lifters are able to span wide covers and the power of hydraulics can raise 250+ kg covers.
Subject to cover width, all four Manhole Buddy lifting attachments permit 360 degree access for lifting, due to the presence of a swivel at the trolley connection point. Contrast this with probably every other key-based lifter, where the orientation of the key slots in the cover dictate how the equipment is attached. This usually results in only two lifting positions, 180 degrees apart, being available. In the working environment, where access can be limited by anything from a vehicle, a tree, street furniture or even a pothole, these two possible positions may be impossible to use. The potential 360 degree access offered by the Manhole Buddy makes it more likely the cover can be accessed.
The classification relates primarily to the specification of the filter. L class filtration is suitable for Low hazard materials, M class for Medium hazard, H for High hazard. L class filters are required to have a leakage no greater than 1% of the collected dust, M class no greater than 0.1% and H class no greater than 0.005%. Put simply, a H class filter will block particles that would pass through an L or M class filter.
For construction works, general waste is considered Low hazard. Concrete and mortars are rated medium hazard as are some natural woods, notably beech and oak; engineered woods such as MDF are also Medium rated. Carcinogenic substances such as Asbestos are classed as High hazard.
You may well be able to fit a higher specification filter to your basic vacuum but that will not change its classification and it could reduce its performance. In practical terms, M and H class filters have a finer weave (than L class) so as to block finer dust particles. But inevitably, this also constricts airflow. So M and H class vacuums have other features which compensate for this condition e.g. larger motors, pre-separation elements, integral filter cleaning. Put simply, there is much more to vacuum or dust extractor performance than the filter.
Product selection should mirror the end-to-end requirements of the work. Firstly, select a filter type that is suitable for the materials you are going to be dealing with. Secondly, consider the performance requirements of the work you are doing e.g. volume of dust and waste being collected, intensity of work, accessibility (determines hose length required). Thirdly, consider how the waste will be contained and disposed of. Effective dust control starts with capture of dust at the point of creation, ends with dust-free disposal of the waste and in between, ensures exhausted air from the vacuum system is devoid of harmful particles.
An interceptor will collect a large percentage of dust and debris ahead of the filtration stage in the attached vacuum device. This presents many benefits including maintenance of strong airflow and suction, longer filter cleaning intervals and most probably extended life of the attached vacuum.
An Interceptor can be deployed with any vacuum device so there is a wide range of situations where it is beneficial. Typically, it simplifies the collection and handling of waste products, complements a vacuum device that has low grade filtration or limited storage capacity, or in many situations, allows the vacuum device to be positioned away from the work area.
See also our FAQs on Interceptors further down the page
In the dust control applications we address, an interceptor sits between the dust source (usually a power tool or small machine) and the vacuum device and will typically collect more than 80% of dust and debris created by the work equipment.
An interceptor uses the natural phenomenon of cyclonic air movement to force larger particles of dust and debris to be spun out of the airstream. In our applications, dust and debris generated by working construction materials is drawn through the Interceptor by an externally connected vacuum or dust extractor. The heavier materials are retained within the Interceptor leaving only the finer dust particles to be collected by the vacuum.
The primary benefits relate to the operation of the vacuum device. As the Interceptor will be retaining greater than 80% of the waste material generated, much less will be required of the vacuum device - emptying less frequently - longer intervals between filter cleaning - using fewer consumables such as cartridge filters and/or single-use filter bags – longer vacuum motor life.
The Interceptor needs hose connections to both the device creating the waste and the vacuum providing the suction/airflow. Sunrise Tools provide one hose with each Interceptor and can advise on other hose connections.
The Interceptor requires no power. But it does require a suction device (a vacuum / dust extractor) to be attached.
An Interceptor can be used to collect water but will need to be served by a WET vacuum. D-spec (drum collector) devices from the Sunrise Tools range would be suitable – the B-spec device (with the external bag) would NOT be suitable for water collection.
There are often clear signs the mortar joints are failing and the structure needs repointing. At other times, the first sign may be small cracks between the mortar and the brick face, in essence breaking the bond between the two elements. Subjected to even moderate rainfall, such failures can lead to moisture seeping into the wall. A heavy frost will cause dampened mortar to expand and over time, crumbling of the mortar is inevitable. Damp walls are often the first sign that repairs are needed to the mortar. Repointing may also be required if a wall develops a crack which extends to the masonry, in which case, strengthening of the wall may be needed, before renewing the mortar joints.
Firstly, it could be removed by hand, with a hammer and chisel and this method might be entirely appropriate for small areas or sensitive structures. More commonly, power tools are used to speed the process and achieve consistent results. These generally constitute a small format angle grinder, fitted with either a circular diamond blade or a tungsten mortar rake. In both instances, a method of ensuring a consistent depth of ‘raked out’ joint and the removal of dust and debris are pretty essential and angle grinder attachments are available with these combined functions. Both the foregoing methods will apply to regular brick or stonework structures where straight joints are present. Irregular joints, such as those you will find on a random stone structures, can probably only be ‘raked out’ with a mortar rake.
Much will depend upon the what, where and how of the job. If repointing small areas, it may be important to ensure colour matching, whilst repointing a complete wall should remove that constraint. Properties over 100 years old will almost certainly have been constructed using lime-based mortars and here it is advisable to use a lime product and not just for aesthetic reasons. Experienced tradesmen will be adept at producing consistent batches of self-mixed pointing mortar but for the less skilled, pre-mixed pointing mortar requiring only the addition of water is a much safer bet. And weather is an important consideration – whether it’s the alignment of your property or the part of the country you live in, the mortar needs to be formulated for the weather conditions it will be expected to endure.
Before we consider the how, its best to reflect on why the work is being undertaken and what is expected of the finished joint. The new mortar will be required to strengthen the structure and provide a sealed face to the weather. For that to be achieved, the joints must be of sufficient depth, be free of voids and be well compacted so as to bond with the existing structure. And the external face must be sealed, a process generally known as ‘ironing’. You can fill the joints with a small trowel, use a hand-operated ‘mastic’ gun or a powered device, most likely electric or air-driven.
Mortar joints are usually finished (‘ironed’) with a few common shapes or ‘profiles’. Bucket Handle is a basic concave finish. Recessed Joints, as the name suggests, sit a short distance behind the face of the brickwork – this is primarily for decorative reasons but the joints still need to be ironed to ensure proper sealing. Weatherstruck is an angled profile which is very effective at shedding water, so appropriate for walls regularly subjected to driven rain or spray. There are a number of other specialist profiles which will most probably apply to older properties or be unique to a geographic location. Regardless of the profile chosen, the mortar must be sufficiently compressed to constitute a strong joint and provide an outer skin that can not easily be penetrated by moisture.
It can be appropriate to seal brickwork, usually if there is an inherent porosity that would otherwise only be addressed by replacement of the structure. In doing so, it is entirely acceptable to seal the mortar joint. However, it is important to use a sealant that remains permeable, so that the brickwork can continue to ‘breathe’. In addition, it is not advisable to seal new mortar joints before they have fully dried out.
Because it is considered to be safer than 240 volt working.
The hazardous voltage you are exposed to in a 110 volt system is actually only 55 volt. By comparison, a direct mains connection is nominally 230 volt. You are more likely, by a considerable margin, to survive a 55 voltshock, than one at 230. 110 volt supply is described as Centre Tapped to Earth (CTE) and comprises minus 55 and plus 55 volt circuits, hence the 110 volt Potential Difference, also known as Voltage
It is a good solution, but NOT perfect.
An RCD (Residual Current Device) should quickly break the circuit if a current leakage to earth is detected. However, the weakness with an RCD is that it is an electro-mechanical device and has the potential to fail. If the latter happens, you have little protection from the full 230 volt shock.
Not that we know of, but it is widely accepted Best Practice.
Employers and Site Operators have a significant obligation to ensure persons engaged on their behalf are not exposed to undue risks. The default for operation of single phase electrical equipment on site has therefore become 110 volt, as it is generally accepted as being inherently safer. This permits the Employer / Site Operator to most effectively discharge their responsibilities to persons under their control. It will be rare to find a Commercial Construction Site that permits 240 volt working.
You simply add up the requirements of the devices being connected and …
It is almost that simple but there are some important considerations to bear in mind. There are three popular sizes of 110 volt portable transformer, 3 kVa, 3.3 kVA and 5 kVa. As an approximation, these will support loadings of 3, 3.3 and 5 kW respectively. So add up the wattage of each connected device (should be shown on the equipment label) and make your selection. BUT TAKE NOTE - portable transformers will typically only deliver their maximum output for about 5 minutes. If your application involves longer running, you have to assume power output from the transformer will be reduced by 50%. The CONTINUOUS ratings (more than 5 minutes continuous operation) for the three transformers previously listed are 1.5, 1.5 and 2.5 kW
One 15 metre extension cable of the CORRECT construction …
Because of the reduced voltage level, 110 volt tools operate with double the current (amperage) of 240 volt equivalents. This means cables with larger copper cores (larger cross section area / csa) are needed. The thinnest 110 volt cables (1.5 mm² csa) are only suitable for light loads such as lighting or single power tools. A load of greater than 800 watt needs a minimum 2.5 mm² csa cable. Using a larger core cable is rarely a handicap, hence for maximum efficiency, the 4 mm² csa variety should be used wherever possible. Only one 15 metre extension cable should be used between the transformer output and the power tool – if you use excessively long 110 volt extension cables, you will experience significant voltage drop. This will cause increased current flow which will potentially overheat and damage both the cable and attached electrical devices.
Because it is considered to be safer than 240 volt working.
The hazardous voltage you are exposed to in a 110 volt system is actually only 55 volt. By comparison, a direct mains connection is nominally 230 volt. You are more likely, by a considerable margin, to survive a 55 volt shock, than one at 230. 110 volt supply is described as Centre Tapped to Earth (CTE) and comprises minus 55 and plus 55 volt circuits, hence the 110 volt Potential Difference, also known as Voltage
Because it is considered to be safer than 240 volt working.
The hazardous voltage you are exposed to in a 110 volt system is actually only 55 volt. By comparison, a direct mains connection is nominally 230 volt. You are more likely, by a considerable margin, to survive a 55 volt shock, than one at 230. 110 volt supply is described as Centre Tapped to Earth (CTE) and comprises minus 55 and plus 55 volt circuits, hence the 110 volt Potential Difference, also known as Voltage
Because it is considered to be safer than 240 volt working.
The hazardous voltage you are exposed to in a 110 volt system is actually only 55 volt. By comparison, a direct mains connection is nominally 230 volt. You are more likely, by a considerable margin, to survive a 55 volt shock, than one at 230. 110 volt supply is described as Centre Tapped to Earth (CTE) and comprises minus 55 and plus 55 volt circuits, hence the 110 volt Potential Difference, also known as Voltage
The difference is in the spacer piece that forms the gap between the tiles. On the Universal plates, the blade is solid (of 2 or 3 mm width). The Floor plates use two thin blades to create the gap (2 or 3 mm overall width). Floor structures can be prone to movement, so the flexibility of the twin blade arrangement on the Floor spacer can be beneficial. By contrast, you would not want movement of vertically mounted tiles, so a Floor spacer is not advisable on walls. All three plates (Cross, Edge and T) are available in the Universal form. Floor plates are only available as Cross and Edge. Use the Universal T-plate for Offset joints on floors.
Crucially, ATR Spacing Plates are fitted at the intersection of a tile, which not only saves on hardware but also ensures level joints with minimal effort. Consider how a single Cross Plate levels the four adjacent tiles. By contrast with a strap and wedge systems, you’re probably going to use four individual spacers, each of which will have to be adjusted individually. And the same applies with T or Offset joints – one ATR T-plate does the work of the three Strap & Wedge items; you make one adjustment with the ATR system as opposed to individually setting three Wedges. So you save on hardware and time plus there is greater certainty the joint will stay level during the curing process.
The ATR Tile Levelling system is suitable for most tile types at thicknesses between 6 and 18 mm – ceramic, porcelain, marble, onyx, granite and most composites.
NO. The base of all spacing plates is solid. In addition, the bottom of the screw is flat so even with vigorous tightening, it will not pierce the base of the spacing plate
The metal thread in the spindle is sufficiently robust for multiple uses. Feedback suggests spindles are regularly re-used two or three times. The level of economy achieved with re-use of spindles is entirely in the hands of the user.
