Remember when we all used to mix mortar by hand?

I was stubborn about it for way too long. About five years ago on a big garden wall job, I figured I could save cash by not renting a mixer. I spent three full days just mixing, and my back was shot. I probably lost two full days of actual bricklaying time, which at my rate then was close to $800 in lost wages. The wall got done, but it took twice as long and hurt way more than it should have. Now I won't even start a job bigger than a small patio without a mixer on site. Anyone else have an old habit they finally gave up that saved them time or pain?

3 comments

3 Comments

morgan4103mo ago

Know what you mean, but I gotta push back on the lost wages math a bit. I mean, you didn't really lose $800, because you saved the rental cost. You have to subtract that from your number. The real loss was the extra time and the pain, which is bad enough. It's more about the wear on your body than the exact dollar amount. That's what finally got me to stop being cheap about tools too.

eva_carr3mo ago

Spot on, @morgan410. It's about the body.

jordan3051mo ago

And my buddy Tom learned that one the hard way. @eva_carr he would agree with you a hundred percent. Last year he tried to save a few bucks rebuilding a fence with a cheap framing nailer. Jammed every ten nails. By the end of the day his right hand was swollen like a boxing glove. Paid $40 for the rental anyway after he threw the thing in the trash. His shoulder hurt for weeks. Body always keeps the final score.