The Tool
The Pnu-Point Tool.
History
In 2002 three guys were repointing a 200 year old farm building: they had invested in a mechanical electric powered pointing tool. With it they were able to double their pointing rate- when it worked. But unfortunately it didn't work very often. It took an age to unblock if a stone got stuck in the auger; drills burnt out with alarming regularity; bearings wore our; the auger wore out; but when it worked it was good! So the guys were convinced that mechanical pointing was the was to go to make profit out of pointing. There just had to be a better way.
They realised they had to eliminate the causes of breakdown, something simple was required, with as few moving, wearing parts as possible. They tried the manual "mastic gun" approach, but pistons cause friction and hence wear. and were very hard on the wrist. So this approach was disgarded. A peumatic powered mastic gun was the next attempt, but wear on the piston and segregation of water from the mortar caused by the pressure led to failure.
Finally the idea of a vertical tool with the mortar being its own piston was tried and it worked like a dream! The Pnu-Point Pointing tool was here!
In 2003 Pnu-Point Ltd was founded, patents were obtained, tools designed and the first Pnu-Point sold.
The Pnu-Point Tool
The body of the tool is roto moulded from polyethalyne. This makes it virtually indestructable and also easy to clean, as nothing stcks to to it. The standard lid is injection moulded polyvinal choride (PVC), another inert plastic material, but stiffer and stronger than polyethalyne. Nozzles are injected moulded nylon with stainless steel inserts. The valves are stock items, chosed for their durabillity and ease of purchase. Fastenings are stainless steel.
The design materials and components are all selected for durability and longevity: the Pnu-Point is incredibly reliable and long lived.
The Pnu-Point Tool is supplied with a set of nozzles, spare gaskets and O rings, O ring lubricant, full instructions, all packed in a durable aluminium tool box. We want happy customers so we offer a full year's warranty.
Advantages of the Pnu-Point Pointing Tool
The tool is:
- Quick and easy to fill, use and clean
- light and well balanced
- no vibration
- at least five times faster than manual methods
- used with cement and lime mortars
- used with high performance mortars
- fills the joints from the back so all joints are fully fuilled
- no bleed of mortar onto the face of the job
- no wearing parts
Uses of the Pnu-Point Point Pointing Tool
The Pnu-Point pressure pointing tool is used by:
- general builders (masons in the US) for renovation and repair
- specialist pointing (tuck-pointing in the US) contractors
- paving contractors
- landscape gardeners
- specialist brick slip cladding installers.
The Pnu-Point pressure pointing tool is used to point (tuck point) the brickwork and stone work of:
- domestic properties with cement or lime mortars
- commercial properties with cement or lime mortars
- bridges, tunnels, chimneys and other civil engineering projects using high strength mortars
- sea walls
- paving of all sorts
A increasingly important application is the pointing of brick slips for building cladding, both on site and in factory situations.
Essential Requirements for the Pnu-Point Tool
The Pnu-Point point tool is powered by compressed air, the recommended minimum compressor specification is:
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1 KW (11/2 HP) motor
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20 litre (5 gallon) air storage tank. This size of compressor will maintain a steady air pressure and will run for about 1 minute in 5. This is well within the duty cycle of most compressors, so it will run cool and have an extended working life.
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free air delivery of .15 m3 / min ( 5 cu ft /min )
The compressor must be able to be regulated down to 2 bar (30 PSI)
The Pnu-Point tool is fitted with a 1/4 inch bsp PCI quick release fitting as standard, but other quick release fittings can be supplied on request.
A compressor as specified will run for about one minute in five, well within its duty cycle and hence will run cool and be reliable and long lived. It also makes for a quiet environment!
If you would like to read about the savings that can be made when pointing with the Pnu-Point click here