[Shop-talk] It's spring...

[wolfeb at verizon.net]

>>  I haven't yet tried running the circular saw with the masonry  blade 
>> over a brick to see what happens.

I did. The result was predictable. After about 30 minutes of creating 
brick dust, the cheapo sleeve bearing in my Craftsman gave out. Sorry 
Honey, gotta run to the store and pick me up a nice Porter Cable to 
replace it with. While I was there, I rented their wet saw for the day 
and got all the pieces fit. Piece of cake. But wear gloves. That same 
grit that ruined the bearing will just plain wear your finger tips off. 
Its VERY painful, but only after the fact. Don't ask me how I know.  ;)

The brick layers for our house would just pick up a brick and smack it 
hard with the straight edge of their trowel breaking off the majority of 
the brick. Flip it over and trim the other edge with a similar, but less 
violent blow. Much faster. Less accurate. Practice makes perfect. YMMV.