Ever cut a hole in Roman brick?

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rabtrfld

rabtrfld

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Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Just looking for timesaving tips to retrofit outdoor outlets on "roman" brick. The bricks are only about 1.5 inches high by 12 inches long. The mortar joints are extra thick, maybe 1/2 inch, and deeply inset (the bricks stick out about 1.2 inch). This is Wisconsin, and I think it's a Frank Lloyd Wright influence.

They also colored the mortar red. I can't find the red pigment locally, although Quikcrete seems to sell a liquid colorant. Any ideas? I may have to build up a flat surface with mortar and I want the color to match.
 
Also the face of the brick is not smooth and flat... it's kind of sculpted like a "lannon" stone. I'm sort of reluctant to hit this with a brick chisel, not sure it will split straight?
(the bricks stick out about 1.2 inch)
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--sorry, I meant one-half inch.
 
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what about drilling a half inch hole through the mortar to inside of the building and using a surface mounted box? whenever i drill through a brick wall i go through the mortar instead of the brick itself. i try not to do anything to the brick incase it cracks
 
Surface mounted boxes look like hell, especially with an in uses cover, so that's probably not an option.


How about painting the outside of the jb to match the red grout/brick??
 
ceb58 said:
You could try a 4'' grinder with a mason blade to cut the brick for the box to fit into.
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Well, I'm with you on the grinder, I'd insert it as well, You might also take a quick reference to the inside frame spacing. Ask the customer to allow some float as to get a flat place if you rough cut.

The statement on cracking a wall will only happen if its a true bearing wall,
and if the wall is sound and properly constructed it will be when you leave.

This wall has to be loaded incorrectly for the crack to happen, in this case
you'd releaseing this energy, or creating a potential moment that releases over time.

While bearing brick walls do exist the practice of veneer or fascia brick have be applied since the 40's on.

The crack might well happen if loaded and around stepping foundations, under a window edge or various transitions. But in general removing a brick, no. Crack'n a stich is different then busting a seam.

It's just a recp. sometimes theres just not much you can do with it. :grin:
Theres plenty of Color grouts, just use your favorite search engine.
 
LarryFine said:
Just curious: is your name Ray Butterfield, or does your username mean 'rabbit ruffled'? :smile:
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Why not simply an abbreviation for RAy BuTteRFieLD?
 
Ok its RossABuTteRFieLD, but I like the Rabbit Ruffled, at least now I have an avatar.

Actually I'm known to my friends as Butterfield Workshop.

rabbit-ruffled.jpg

personally I detest rabbits
 
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