On Dec 5, 11:24*pm, "Steve B" wrote:
I'm getting ready to lay some blocks. *Probably a lot of them, and quite a
few mixers full of cement. *Some low decorative walls, walkways, pavers,
bricks, etc.

For block laying, should I buy a quantity of sand, lime, Portland, etc.? *Or
should I just go with the premixed bags at the borg? *There may be a slight
storage problem of unused materials from batch to batch.

Other questions:

Is premixed concrete with aggregate best for first coursing? *How about cell
filling for grouting final wall?

What should I use for a stucco covering on it? *Is that the same mortar mix,
or a special stucco mix?

What outdoor temps should block be laid at? *And will it matter if the night
time temperature is below freezing? *Down to about 20 deg. F.

I don't think there will be many complicated things about doing the type,
quality, or amount of block work I want to do. *But suggestions are
welcomed.

Steve

I think the best thingyou can do is get someone in at least initially
and do the labouring work (mix cement, carry blocks etc) to save
money.
You can then watch how they do things and pick their brains.

You need to learn how to set things out and build things square,
vertical and horizontal, not to mention using tools etc.

This is skilled work, you will not learn enough here to do it
satisfactorily.