Mortar Rake Attachments

About Mortar Rake Attachments

Mortar rake attachments are specialist power tool accessories designed to transform standard angle grinders into efficient mortar removal tools for repointing brickwork and creating channels in masonry. These professional-grade attachments enable tradespeople to remove old, damaged, or crumbling mortar from joints between bricks with precision and speed, making them indispensable for restoration work, building maintenance, and renovation projects. The carbide-tipped cutting heads penetrate cement and mortar joints effectively whilst the adjustable sole plates ensure consistent depth control throughout the raking process.

The range available from Tooled-Up.com features mortar rake systems that include various components such as carbide-tipped flute cutters, adaptor assemblies, adjustable sole plates, and aluminium reduction rings to ensure compatibility with most popular angle grinder brands on the market. These attachments typically feature 3-flute or 4-flute cutter designs, with common sizes including 8mm and 10mm configurations to suit different joint widths. The sole plate design is particularly important as it maintains consistent clearance depth and protects the brickwork surface during operation, whilst also providing variable depth adjustment for different applications.

Professional mortar raking attachments deliver significant time savings compared to manual raking methods using traditional hand tools like plugging chisels. They're engineered for demanding site work, incorporating features such as dust extraction ports to minimise airborne silica dust when connected to suitable vacuum systems. The carbide-tipped cutting elements provide extended service life even in tough materials, whilst the modular design allows replacement of worn cutters without replacing the entire assembly, offering excellent value for professional users who undertake regular repointing work.

Jargon Buster

• Flute Cutter: The rotating cutting element with carbide tips arranged in either 3 or 4 channels (flutes) that grind away mortar from joints. Multi-flute designs provide smoother cutting action and improved material removal rates.
• Sole Plate: An adjustable guide plate that attaches to the angle grinder and controls the depth of cut whilst protecting the brick surface from damage. Most feature aluminium construction with depth adjustment mechanisms.
• Reduction Rings: Aluminium adapter rings (typically 41mm, 42.5mm, and 43mm) that ensure the sole plate fits securely onto different angle grinder collar diameters, providing universal compatibility across brands.
• Repointing: The process of removing damaged mortar from masonry joints and replacing it with fresh mortar to restore structural integrity and weatherproofing to brickwork and stonework.
• Carbide Tipped: Cutting elements featuring extremely hard tungsten carbide inserts brazed onto the cutter body, providing superior wear resistance and extended life when working with abrasive materials like mortar and cement.
• Chasing: Creating channels or grooves in masonry for installing cables, pipework, or electrical boxes – a common application for mortar rake attachments beyond joint preparation.

Who Uses Mortar Rake Attachments?

• Bricklayers and Stonemasons: For repointing work on both new builds requiring joint finishing and restoration projects involving heritage structures
• Building Maintenance Contractors: Professionals undertaking repair and renovation work on residential and commercial properties with deteriorating mortar joints
• Restoration Specialists: Tradespeople working on listed buildings and conservation projects requiring careful mortar removal without damaging historic brickwork
• General Builders: For occasional repointing tasks as part of broader renovation projects, property refurbishment, and building repair contracts
• Electricians: Creating chases in masonry for cable runs and mounting boxes during electrical installation and upgrade work
• Plumbers and Heating Engineers: Cutting channels for pipework installation in solid walls and creating access for radiator pipework
• Property Maintenance Teams: Local authority and housing association workers maintaining building stock and addressing weathering damage
• Serious DIY Enthusiasts: Homeowners tackling substantial renovation projects requiring professional-quality mortar removal for repointing or channel cutting

How to Choose the Right Mortar Rake Attachments

Joint Width Compatibility: Select cutter sizes appropriate for your joint widths – 8mm cutters suit narrower joints whilst 10mm versions handle standard brickwork joints. Measure existing joints before purchasing to ensure proper fit.

Angle Grinder Compatibility: Verify that the mortar rake system includes reduction rings to fit your specific angle grinder model. Tooled-Up stocks Irwin systems with multiple ring sizes (41mm, 42.5mm, 43mm) covering most popular grinders from Makita, DeWalt, Milwaukee, and Bosch.

Flute Configuration: Consider whether 3-flute or 4-flute cutters best suit your requirements. Four-flute designs generally provide smoother operation and faster material removal, whilst 3-flute cutters may offer better visibility of the working area.

Depth Adjustment Range: Check that the sole plate offers sufficient depth adjustment for your applications. Variable depth control is essential for working with different joint profiles and creating chases of varying depths.

Starter Kits vs Individual Components: For first-time users or those establishing capability, comprehensive starter kits provide all necessary components including cutters, adaptors, and sole plates. Experienced users may prefer purchasing individual replacement cutters or additional components.

Dust Extraction Capability: Prioritise systems with integrated dust extraction ports if working indoors or in environments requiring dust control. Connection to suitable extraction equipment significantly reduces harmful silica dust exposure.

Build Quality and Brand: Professional-grade attachments from established brands like Irwin offer superior durability, precision engineering, and reliable performance under demanding site conditions compared to budget alternatives.

Popular Accessories

• Replacement Carbide Cutters: Spare 3-flute and 4-flute cutting heads in various sizes for extending system life
• Angle Grinders: 115mm and 125mm angle grinders from Makita, DeWalt, Milwaukee, and Bosch compatible with mortar rake attachments
• Dust Extraction Vacuums: M-Class or H-Class vacuum systems for capturing harmful silica dust during mortar removal operations
• Pointing Trowels: Hand tools for applying fresh mortar after joint preparation, available from brands like Marshalltown and Ragni
• Jointing Irons: Specialist tools for finishing repointed joints to various profiles after mortar application
• Mortar Mixing Equipment: Paddle mixers and mixing buckets for preparing repointing mortar in appropriate consistencies
• Safety Equipment: Dust masks (FFP3 rated), safety glasses, hearing protection, and work gloves essential for mortar raking operations
• Wire Brushes: For cleaning joints after raking and before applying fresh mortar
• Spray Bottles: For dampening joints before repointing to improve mortar adhesion

Safety Information

Respiratory Protection: Mortar raking generates significant quantities of harmful respirable crystalline silica dust. Always wear FFP3-rated dust masks as minimum protection, and use extraction equipment wherever possible to reduce airborne dust. Prolonged exposure to silica dust can cause serious lung conditions including silicosis.

Eye and Face Protection: Safety glasses or goggles must be worn at all times during operation to prevent eye injury from flying debris and dust particles. Consider full face shields for extended work sessions.

Hearing Protection: Angle grinders operating at high speeds produce noise levels requiring hearing protection. Wear appropriate ear defenders rated for industrial noise levels during mortar raking operations.

Electrical Safety: When using 240v mains-powered angle grinders, ensure equipment is PAT tested and in good condition. Use RCD protection (residual current device) when working on building sites or in damp conditions, and never operate power tools with damaged cables or plugs.

Secure Workpiece and Ladder Safety: Ensure stable positioning when working at height. Use properly erected scaffolding or tower systems rather than ladders for extended repointing projects. HSE guidance recommends avoiding prolonged work from ladders wherever practicable.

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH): Implement appropriate COSHH assessments for silica dust exposure. Professional contractors should establish dust control measures including on-tool extraction, wet cutting where applicable, and regular air quality monitoring in enclosed spaces.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will mortar rake attachments fit my existing angle grinder?
A: Most quality mortar rake systems include multiple aluminium reduction rings (typically 41mm, 42.5mm, and 43mm) that accommodate the majority of popular angle grinder brands including Makita, DeWalt, Milwaukee, Bosch, and others. Check the specifications of the mortar rake system against your grinder's collar diameter to confirm compatibility before purchase.

Q: How deep can I rake mortar joints with these attachments?
A: Professional mortar rake attachments feature adjustable sole plates that typically allow depth settings from approximately 15mm to 30mm or more. For repointing work, joints should generally be raked to a depth of at least twice the joint width to ensure proper keying of new mortar. The adjustable design allows precise depth control for consistent results.

Q: How long do carbide-tipped cutters last?
A: Cutter lifespan varies depending on material hardness, technique, and frequency of use. Professional tradespeople might achieve several hundred metres of joint raking from quality carbide-tipped cutters before replacement becomes necessary. Harder mortars and cements naturally cause faster wear than softer lime-based mortars. Replacement cutters are available individually for cost-effective maintenance.

Q: Can I use mortar rake attachments for cutting chases for cables and pipes?
A: Yes, mortar rake attachments are excellent for creating chases in masonry for electrical cables, conduit, and small-bore pipework. The depth control provided by the sole plate ensures consistent chase depth, and the carbide cutters handle brick and blockwork effectively. However, always check for existing services before cutting into walls, and ensure compliance with Building Regulations Part A (structure) and Part P (electrical safety) where applicable.

Q: Do I need dust extraction when using mortar rake attachments?
A: Dust extraction is strongly recommended and may be legally required under COSHH regulations for professional use. Mortar raking generates substantial amounts of respirable crystalline silica dust which poses serious long-term health risks. Many mortar rake sole plates incorporate dust extraction ports for connection to suitable M-Class or H-Class vacuum systems. For indoor work or enclosed spaces, extraction should be considered essential rather than optional.