A practical bricklaying kit starts with a walling trowel, a suitably long spirit level, mason’s line and pins, a jointing tool, a brick hammer with a bolster or masonry chisel, mortar-handling equipment, basic measuring tools, and personal protective equipment (PPE). Buy each item for the brick or block size, the joint finish, the wall span and the amount of control the work requires.
The right combination improves course accuracy, joint consistency and safe handling. A small repair may need only a compact trowel, pocket level and pointing tools; a full build benefits from longer levels, a gauge rod, profiles, a mixer and specialist cutting tools.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
The essential bricklaying tool kit
Bricklaying tools perform four jobs: placing mortar, keeping courses and corners true, shaping the finished joints, and cutting or moving materials. The following kit covers the equipment identified in current training specifications from City & Guilds (2025), Pearson (2026) and NOCN (2024).
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
| Tool | Primary job | Useful buying or setup detail |
|---|---|---|
| Bricklaying or walling trowel | Spreads, levels and shapes mortar beneath and beside bricks or blocks | Choose a rigid, corrosion-resistant blade; London and Philadelphia patterns are common |
| Pointing or gauging trowel | Places small amounts of mortar in narrow joints and repairs | A smaller blade gives control in confined areas |
| Brick jointer or jointing iron | Shapes and compresses mortar before it sets | Select the profile specified for the work, such as half-round or recessed |
| Spirit level | Checks horizontal courses and vertical faces | 900 mm, 1.2 m and 2.0 m sizes are listed in City & Guilds guidance; a 122 cm level is made specifically for bricklaying by STABILA |
| Mason’s line, pins and blocks | Provides a straight visual reference between corners | Set the line to the intended course face and keep it clear of fresh mortar |
| Brick hammer | Trims and scores bricks | Keep the striking face and handle sound |
| Bolster or masonry chisel | Cuts bricks and chases or trims masonry | Use with controlled strikes and eye protection |
| Hawk, bucket or mortar board | Holds a workable quantity of mortar at the wall | Use a hawk for small quantities and a board or bucket when laying continuously |
| Mixing tray or wheelbarrow | Contains mortar during mixing and transfer | Keep the mixing area separate from the clean tool-storage area |
| Soft brush | Removes crumbs and debris from joints and tools | Use after the mortar has been struck, without gouging the joint |
| Tape measure, square, gauge rod and straightedge | Sets out dimensions, checks squareness and transfers course heights | Use the gauge rod consistently at corners and openings |
Training specifications also require clean working methods, safe storage, competence and risk assessment. Treat those requirements as part of the kit: a good tool used carelessly still produces unsafe or inaccurate work.
#1 Best Overall
- Valued Carpenter Pencil Set: You will get 2 pcs solid carpenter pencils with 26 piece 2.8 mm refills, 1 replaceable sharpener, 1 plastic storage box.The complete carpenter pencils combination allows you to finish your work faster and more easily
- Deep Hole Marker Pencil: The deep-hole construction pencils adopts 45mm elongated tip design, which is more convenient to mark in the small hole or in other tight areas that other carpenter markers cannot reach
- Carpenter Pencils with Sharpener: The sharpener is screwed into the top of the work pencil, which won't get lost either. Built-in pencil sharpener that keep the lead with pointed and smooth to Improves line of sight in fine work
- Stronger Solid Lead: This work pencil is matched with a 2.8 mm thick lead , which is much thicker and stronger during the drawing process of construction work, it will not break or damage easily
- Marks on Various Surfaces: 3 colors solid construction pencil can marks on various surfaces,such as metal, plastic, wood, paper etc. Ideals for woodworkers, contractors, craftsmen, builders, merchants and masons
Choosing a bricklaying trowel
Walling trowels for laying courses
The walling, or bricklaying, trowel is the main mortar-placement tool. Its blade carries enough material to form a bed joint, lets you cut off excess mortar and helps position the brick. London and Philadelphia patterns are both established choices; neither is universally best. The brick or block size, the amount of mortar required and your ability to control the blade should decide the purchase.
A larger blade moves more mortar per pass and suits long runs or larger blocks. It also carries more weight and can be less precise around reveals, corners and small repairs. A smaller blade gives finer control where the joint is narrow or the work is detailed. Compare the blade length and heel width rather than relying only on the pattern name.
Pointing and gauging trowels
A pointing or gauging trowel handles a small quantity of mortar. It is useful for filling a local void, repairing a joint, working around a frame or placing mortar where a full walling trowel is awkward. It complements, rather than replaces, the walling trowel on a new wall.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Handle, balance and blade quality
Hold a prospective trowel in the working position and check that the handle does not force your wrist sideways. A balanced tool reduces repeated correction as you spread a bed. The blade should be rigid enough not to flutter under pressure and should resist corrosion. A sound connection between handle and shank matters as much as the steel: looseness transfers impact and makes accurate work tiring.
- Choose the largest blade you can control without spilling mortar.
- Use a smaller pointing or gauging trowel for narrow repairs and seam work.
- Reject blades that are visibly bent, deeply pitted or flexible at the heel.
- Check that the handle is comfortable with gloves, because gloves are required for many site conditions.
Spirit levels, lines and course control
Match level length to the work
A level must bridge enough bricks to reveal a gradual error without becoming unwieldy. City & Guilds lists 900 mm, 1.2 m and 2.0 m sizes. A 900 mm level is easier to handle on short piers and in tight interiors; 1.2 m suits many general walling tasks; a 2.0 m model spans longer runs but needs more storage space and careful handling.
Rank #2
- Ergonomically Designed: Work in tight areas with a compact design that gets into tough spots
- Both tools are designed to fit into difficult to reach spaces
- Complete a wide range of applications with a high-performance motor that delivers up to 300 UWO, and an impact driver delivering up to 1,400 in-lbs of torque
- Both the DEWALT impact driver and drill driver feature integrated LED work lights with a convenient 20-second delay, ensuring enhanced visibility in dimly lit or challenging work areas
- One-Handed Loading - Keep one hand free with a 1/4 in. hex chuck that accepts 1 in. bit tips
A longer level does not replace checking several points. Set it on a clean surface, check the bubble, move it to another position and recheck. For confined work, a pocket level can reach between returns and around openings. For a longer general-purpose option, STABILA’s Type 196-2 K is specified at 122 cm, with an integrated impact-protection edge and a reinforced aluminium profile. Its product documentation says it was “specially developed for bricklaying.”
Keep courses straight with a mason’s line
Fix mason’s line and pins or blocks between established corners to create the face reference for each course. The line should be tight, at the intended brick face, and high enough that a brick does not lift it. Check the line before placing mortar and again after moving it to the next course. A line controls the run; the level checks the individual course and the vertical face.
Use a gauge rod and square for repeatable set-out
Mark course heights on a gauge rod and transfer those marks at corners, openings and returns. This exposes cumulative errors before they travel across a wall. Use a square to confirm right angles and a straightedge to find local highs or hollows. A tape measure confirms overall dimensions, but it should not be the only check on a long run.
Brick jointers and joint profiles
A brick jointer, also called a jointing tool or jointing iron, compresses and profiles mortar while it is still workable. Compression closes the surface and produces a consistent finish; a well-formed joint also helps shed weather. The tool must be used at the correct stage: too early and mortar smears or deforms, too late and the joint tears or remains weak at the surface.
Select the profile specified for the wall
- Half-round: listed in bricklaying training equipment and used where a curved, tooled finish is required.
- Recessed: leaves the mortar set back from the brick face and must be formed uniformly.
- Other specified profiles: use the profile shown in the project details rather than choosing by appearance alone.
Keep the jointer clean so dried crumbs do not score the mortar. Work horizontal and vertical joints in a consistent sequence, and avoid brushing the face until the mortar has firmed enough not to drag.
Rank #3
- 【Great Compatibility】This Katerk 1/4 inch hex shank bit holder is specifically designed for 1/4 inch hex shank drill bits. It's compatible with most 1/4 fast hex handles, hex sockets, various electric screwdrivers, and handheld screwdrivers. The bit holder makes it a valuable addition for any handyman.
- 【Secure and Safe】Built with a secure backup nut design, each drill bit holder securely locks onto your bits, ensuring they stay firmly in place. Additionally, our bit holder incorporates a high-quality steel ball rolling design that holds up to several kilograms of weight, ensuring your various drill bits don't fall off.
- 【Easy One-Handed Operation】The bit holder for impact driver allows you to change bits single-handedly, simplifying your workflow. Its multi-color design further allows for quick identification of the drill bit you need.
- 【Compact and Convenient】Thanks to its compact size, this 1/4 inch bit holder is easy to carry around. The bit holder allows for easy attachment to various tools, making this a convenient addition to your construction accessories. The Katerk bit holder is cast from high-quality alloy material, promising a long product lifespan. Despite its rugged strength, the bit holder remains lightweight, making it portable.
- 【Cool Christmas Gift For Men Stocking Stuffers】 This screwdriver bit holder, driver bit holder, impact bit holder, can be given as a gift to your loved one, especially for anyone involved in construction or electrical work. It's a must-have for stocking stuffers for men and women, tools gifts for dad, tech gadgets for men, gifts for dad, gifts for him, gifts for husband, gifts for boyfriend, cool gadgets for men, and cool gifts for dad.
Cutting, trimming and chasing masonry
Brick hammer
Use the hammer’s cutting edge to score or trim a brick and its striking face for controlled blows. Support the brick securely, keep your non-striking hand away from the impact path and make several deliberate strikes rather than one uncontrolled swing. A damaged handle or mushroomed striking face is a replacement issue, not a minor cosmetic defect.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchPC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Bolster and masonry chisel
A bolster or masonry chisel makes straight cuts and can form chases. Pair it with a club hammer where appropriate, maintaining a stable stance and clear escape space for fragments. Eye protection is essential because chips can travel beyond the immediate cut line. Do not use a cold chisel with a deformed head; dress or replace it according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Mortar handling and support tools
Hawk, bucket and mortar board
A hawk supports a small working load close to the joint; a bucket is convenient for carrying; a mortar board provides a broad surface for repeated loading. Select the container that keeps your non-working hand and body position stable. Overloading a hawk or carrying a heavy bucket too far increases manual-handling risk.
Mixing equipment
A mixing tray or wheelbarrow is suitable for containing and moving mortar on small jobs. A professional setup may add a mechanical mixer for larger volumes. Keep the mixing surface free of hardened lumps, because contamination changes consistency and can damage tools.
Brushes and clean-up tools
A soft brush removes loose mortar from joints, bricks and equipment without cutting into the profile. Scrape and wash steel tools immediately after use, dry them and store them where they cannot be knocked against hard surfaces. Prompt cleaning is the simplest way to limit rust and preserve a crisp blade or jointer.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsRank #4
- Long Nib and Deep Hole Marker: Our mechanical carpenter pencil with 45mm nib is designed for easy marking of deep holes or narrow areas. These construction pencils are the great choice for woodworking tools, construction tools, carpenter tools, contractor tools, wood carpentry tools and architect tools
- Extra Refills in 2 Colors for Versatile Marking: The construction mechanical pencil comes with 12 extra 2.8mm refills, including 6 red and 6 black refills. The black refill is suitable for light surfaces, while the red wax is perfect for dark surfaces. Our carpenter mechanical pencil makes sure that you'll have an ample supply for extended use
- Built-in Sharpener: Our construction pencil comes with a built-in sharpener to ensure the mechanical pencil tip is always sharp and ready for use. Never buy an extra pencil sharpener again. A great tool for any woodworker pencil, contractor pencils. The refill can easily be extended or retracted with a simple click of the pencils mechanical, allowing you to work more efficiently and accurately
- Portable Clip Design: Our deep hole construction pencil features a portable clip design, easy to carry and attach to your pocket or tool box, so that you can keep the carpenter pencils mechanical close at hand, making it a convenient tool to have on the go. Great gifts choice for carpenters
- Stronger Pencil Lead: The black refills are made of lead, sturdy and smooth. The red refills are made of wax, clear and light. These marking pencils are much thicker and stronger than normal pencils during the marking process of construction work, suitable for various surfaces, such as glasses, metal, boards, floors, walls, furniture, etc. The written marks can be easily wiped with a wet paper towel when needed
DIY kit versus professional kit
Buy for the work you will actually perform. A homeowner repairing a short wall does not need every specialist item, while a crew laying multiple corners and openings loses time without repeatable set-out equipment.
| DIY or occasional repair | Professional or frequent brickwork |
|---|---|
| One controllable walling trowel plus a pointing or gauging trowel | Several walling trowels matched to brick and block sizes, plus pointing tools |
| 900 mm or 1.2 m spirit level and a pocket level | Longer levels, including 2.0 m where the wall span and storage allow |
| Mason’s line and pins, tape measure, square and a basic straightedge | Multiple line sets, gauge rods and profiles for repeatable corners and openings |
| Brick hammer, bolster, club hammer and basic eye protection | Specialist chisels and cutting equipment selected for the masonry |
| Bucket or mortar board, mixing tray or wheelbarrow and soft brush | Mechanical mixer, dedicated mixing area, larger handling equipment and spare tools |
| Gloves, safety glasses and safety boots | Full site PPE appropriate to the risk assessment, including hard hat and high-visibility clothing where required |
A buying checklist that prevents mismatches
- Define the task. Identify whether you are laying new brickwork, working with blocks, repointing, repairing a seam or cutting a chase.
- Match the mortar tool. Use a walling trowel for beds and broad work; add a pointing or gauging trowel for narrow joints and repairs.
- Measure the working span. Choose a level that bridges the area you will check, balancing accuracy against handling and storage.
- Confirm the joint profile. Buy a half-round, recessed or other jointer only after the specified finish is known.
- Inspect construction. Look for rigid, corrosion-resistant blades, fixed vials, a robust level frame and sound handles.
- Check PPE compatibility. Make sure gloves allow a secure grip and that eye protection does not interfere with the level or line.
- Plan cleaning and storage. Provide water, a brush, a scraper and a dry protected place before tools become covered in mortar.
A practical bricklaying workflow
- Assess the work area. Complete the required risk assessment, identify manual-handling and noise hazards, and clear trip hazards.
- Set out. Use the tape, square and gauge rod to establish dimensions, corners and course heights.
- Prepare mortar and tools. Mix in the tray, wheelbarrow or mixer; keep the trowel, level, line, pins and jointer clean and within reach.
- Establish references. Build or verify corners, fix the mason’s line and check the first course with the spirit level.
- Lay the course. Spread mortar with the walling trowel, place the brick, align it to the line and remove excess without disturbing adjacent work.
- Check continuously. Recheck level, plumb and line at useful intervals instead of waiting until the course is complete.
- Tool the joints. When the mortar is workable but firm enough to hold a profile, run the specified jointer consistently through horizontal and vertical joints.
- Trim safely. Score and cut bricks with the hammer and bolster or masonry chisel, wearing eye protection and keeping hands clear.
- Clean and store. Brush loose debris, wash mortar from tools immediately, dry steel and protect level vials and frames.
Maintenance and accuracy checks
Steel tools
Scrape wet mortar before it hardens, wash the blade and dry it completely. Hardened mortar left on a trowel changes its working shape and accelerates corrosion. Store blades so they cannot be bent by other equipment.
Spirit levels
Keep the frame free of mortar and do not use the level as a straightedge for striking. Check it on a known level surface, reverse it end-for-end and compare the reading. Permanently fixed vials and an impact-resistant frame reduce the chance of a shifted reading, but no level survives careless drops indefinitely.
Lines, rods and measuring tools
Replace frayed line, straighten or replace bent pins, and keep gauge-rod marks legible. Confirm the tape’s hook and locking mechanism before relying on a dimension. Store measuring tools dry and away from mortar contamination.
PPE and safe working practices
Wear gloves, safety glasses or goggles and suitable safety boots for bricklaying. Site conditions may also require a hard hat and high-visibility clothing. Follow the local risk assessment, COSHH requirements, manual-handling controls and site rules; the appropriate PPE depends on the task and location.
Best Value
- Milwaukee Ink all Fine Point Marker, Black, 4 Per Pack
- 4 per pack Features Clog Resistant Marker Tip Writes through Dusty, Wet and Oily Surfaces Durable Marker Tip for Writing on Concrete, OSB and Rough Surfaces
- Clog resistant tip writes on dusty, wet and oily surfaces and is optimized for rough surfaces such as OSB, cinderblock and concrete
- Hard hat clip- attaches for easy access
- Quick dry time with reduced smearing and marking
Control the main hazards
- Striking tools: WorkSafe Western Australia identifies hand position during striking as a bricklaying hazard. Keep the supporting hand outside the impact line, use controlled blows and inspect handles and striking faces.
- Flying fragments: Wear eye protection when cutting or chiselling bricks, blocks or hardened mortar. Position bystanders outside the fragment path.
- Noise: Masonry tools can generate high noise. Use hearing protection where the assessment or site rules require it, and limit exposure.
- Sharp and rough materials: Gloves help protect hands from brick edges and mortar, but they must not compromise grip or snag on rotating equipment.
- Slips and trips: Keep mortar, water, offcuts and tools organised. Clean spills promptly and route lines, leads and hoses away from walkways.
- Manual handling: Use manageable loads, keep the mixing area close to the work and obtain help or mechanical assistance for heavy materials.
Competence is a safety control. Training specifications from City & Guilds, Pearson and NOCN include safe methods, cleanliness, PPE, storage and risk assessment alongside the tool list. If you have not been trained to operate a mixer, cutting tool or site equipment, do not improvise a procedure.
Common problems and corrections
The course wanders despite a level reading
Check the mason’s line and the corner set-out. A level can show a locally true section while the overall face drifts. Reset the line, verify the gauge-rod marks and check several positions along the course.
Joints look different from one another
Use the same jointer profile and tool each time, and strike joints at a consistent stage of firmness. Clean the jointer between passes and avoid brushing while the mortar is still soft.
Recommended Free Tools
Mortar spills or the trowel feels tiring
The blade may be too large for your control or the handle may be poorly balanced. Try a smaller blade for detailed work, reduce the load on the hawk and keep the wrist neutral.
The level gives inconsistent readings
Clean the contact surfaces, inspect the frame for damage and perform a reverse test on a known surface. Do not continue relying on a level that has a shifted vial or a bent frame.
Tools rust quickly
Remove mortar immediately, wash and dry steel after every session, then store it in a dry protected place. Rust is accelerated when wet tools are left in buckets or against damp masonry.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
