• Masons are known for making sturdy brick walls.mur de brique image by pucci raf from Fotolia.com
  
  Masons work in brick, block and stone. Brickmasons and blockmasons are often called bricklayers and both build and repair walls, fireplaces, chimneys, concrete block and precast masonry panels. Stonemasons build stone walls and set stone in floors and on the exterior of buildings. Stonemasons generally work with two types of stone --- natural cut stone like marble, granite and limestone; and artificial stone such as concrete or marble chips. Stonemasons use a few critical tools to accomplish their work.
  
  

Wedges

• While masons cut stone with special hammers and chisels as well as diamond saws, they set the stones in place with a separate set of tools. Wedges are long, skinny metal triangles used to split stone along naturally apparent crack lines. Masons need to fit stones exactly with each other and, even after the bricks are cut, must alter them further for a secure fit. They drive the wedge into the brick with a hammer, forcing it to split at the predetermined point. While a wedge can't be used on noncracked stone, it can be used to enlarge or enhance cracks that are already there.
  
  

Plumb lines and Levels

• Masons use levels to build walls and exterior surfaces that are perfectly plumb as well as level. A plumb line is a perfectly vertical line while a level line is a perfectly horizontal line. A level is a lightweight device made from wood or plastic with glass-enclosed vials containing an air bubble. The vial is marked with lines that, based on the position of the air bubble, tell the mason whether the line is perfectly vertical or horizontal, or if it is off slightly. Masons use levels constantly as they set stone to make sure their brick lines are perfectly symmetrical.
  
  

Tuck Pointer

• Another tool used by masons is a tuck pointer, which allows them to smooth brick mortar to a polished finish. A tuck pointer is a pointed metal tool with a wooden or plastic handle. The end of the tuck pointer has a flat surface and hard edge that makes it possible for masons to achieve smooth, impeccable mortar lines in between their well-laid stones.