Laying Stones for a Wood Stove Hearth

[Stolle]

I'm going to tackle this next weekend at the deer camp. Got a pretty good idea how to get it done, but any pointers are appreciated.

Suggestions on Mortar/Sand ratio?

Mix it pretty dry or wet?

Should I laydown a layer of mud before I set the stones down?

How about the stones that I'm laying on the wall? Mortar down first?

[Randy Madden]

Definitely lay down a layer of mud to set the stones in.

[Stolle]

Here is where it's going.

[bwssr]

and from some old mason guys...get the stones wet...don't know why..but this is what they say...

[Stolle]

Thanks guys! Keep the pointers coming.

[RR 314]

3:1 sand to cement ratio. Certainly trowel bed of mortar first. Buy a wire brush and brush joints after mortar sets up. Can also use a squirt bottle of water and mist it a couple times to slow setting.

[RR 314]

Oh, forgot slump. Like ****ography, you will know it when you see it. Not too stiff and not too soupy. Will want it thin enough that is spreads well under weight of stone when you settle it. It it is running off your trowel it is too wet.

[IowaHunter]

and from some old mason guys...get the stones wet...don't know why..but this is what they say...

Usually, so the mortar interface moisture isn't sucked into the porosity of the dry stone.

[sendit]

and from some old mason guys...get the stones wet...don't know why..but this is what they say...

I am not a mason but have dabbled a bit with it, I believe you wet the stones because they can act as a sponge and will draw moisture/water from the mortar. Wetting them some helps to prevent this and will they have better adhesion. I have been wrong before though..........

[Sticks&Strings]

15 shovels full of sand to one bag of mortar. Don't mix it too wet. You can always add more water.

[Dale Moser]

3:1 sand to cement ratio. Certainly trowel bed of mortar first. Buy a wire brush and brush joints after mortar sets up. Can also use a squirt bottle of water and mist it a couple times to slow setting.

This right here. I'm so **** slow I mix it in a 5 gallon bucket so I can take my time and not have a mixer full of mud settin up.

I don't know about wetting the stone...The guys I know go to great lengths to keep it dry, that absorption is what bonds the mortar to the stone.

[Stolle]

This right here. I'm so **** slow I mix it in a 5 gallon bucket so I can take my time and not have a mixer full of mud settin up.

I don't know about wetting the stone...The guys I know go to great lengths to keep it dry, that absorption is what bonds the mortar to the stone.

Good idea on mixing a little at a time in a five gallon bucket.

[Dale Moser]

You can save a bunch of time with one of these in a drill.



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[Stolle]

Added to my list!

[Jeep]

You can save a bunch of time with one of these in a drill.



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He speaks the truth