FIND A CONTRACTOR BUYER'S GUIDE
BECOME AN INDUSTRY PARTNER
MCAA Logo
MEMBER LOGIN JOIN
NEWS
The 2026 MCAA Annual Online Auction is Now Open ↗

New masonry products for November 2011

Words: Dan Kamys

Caulking Blades

Arbortech USA
Leominster, Mass.

/Public/News/20111130060000-1.jpg" width="600" height="338" border="0" alt="Caulking Blades" />
Caulking Blades
Arbortech’s new caulking blades offer combined cutting and grinding action for faster caulk removal. The carbide-tipped blades are used with Arbortech’s AS170 brick and mortar saw to remove caulking, while simultaneously grinding both sides of the expansion joint. This leaves a clean surface ready for re-caulking and replaces traditional methods, such as the pipe knife or the single-bladed machines, both of which require cutting both sides of the caulking before grinding the sides to remove residual material. The blades are available in 1/2-, one- and two-inch sizes, and are constructed of carbide and steel.

www.arbortechusa.com

500E Global Shot Blaster

Blastrac, NA
Oklahoma City, Okla.

/Public/News/20111130060000-2.jpg" width="600" height="338" border="0" alt="500E Global Shot Blaster" />
500E Global Shot Blaster
Blastrac N.A., a surface preparation technology company, has released a new, more powerful 500E Global portable shotblast cleaning system. The 500E Global is designed to blast horizontal steel surfaces and break down to fit through a 24-inch access opening. Updated with a 35-hp motor, this latest design is 20 percent more productive than previous models, and reduces out-of-service time on critical tank projects. This reduces labor costs. Coupling this machine with the 8-54DCG1 greatly reduces airborne dust admittance.

www.blastrac.com

Sustainably Manufactured Thru-Wall Units

CalStar Products
Newark, Calif.

/Public/News/20111130060000-3.jpg" width="600" height="338" border="0" alt="Sustainably Manufactured Thru-Wall Units" />
Sustainably Manufactured Thru-Wall Units
CalStar Products offers a Thru-Wall unit that combines the structural properties of standard concrete block with the preferred aesthetic of a traditional brick wall. Sizes include 8 X 4 X 16 inches, and 12 X 4 X 16 inches. The dual-sided units feature both a flat face for a classic, 16-inch appearance, and a notched face to fill with mortar, for the look of 8-inch bricks. CalStar Products are made with 40% post-industrial recycled material as the binder, avoiding kiln firing required for clay bricks and the use of Portland cement contained in concrete units.

www.calstarproducts.com

CMAXX Dust and Fume Cartridge Collector

Imperial Systems Inc.
Jackson Center, Pa.

/Public/News/20111130060000-4.jpg" width="600" height="338" border="0" alt="CMAXX Dust and Fume Cartridge Collector" />
CMAXX Dust and Fume Cartridge Collector
The CMAXX Dust & Fume Cartridge Collector has 10 percent more filter media than other same-sized vertical cartridge collectors. The internal area of the CMAXX offers 20 percent more area around the filters, causing more dust to drop in the hopper before attaching to the filters. Advantages of the collector include a space-saving, low-profile design that leaves a small footprint; a vertical cartridge design for a longer filter life; and 20 percent lower internal velocities. Designed for DeltaMAXX filters, the CMAXX has revolutionary PD Technology for maximum cleaning performance.

www.isystemsweb.com

Carpenter Squares

Kraft Tool Co.
Shawnee, Kan.

/Public/News/20111130060000-5.jpg" width="600" height="338" border="0" alt="Carpenter Squares" />
Carpenter Squares
Sands Level & Tool Co. Inc., a Kraft Tool Co. brand, offers two new Carpenter Squares. The new squares measure 8- X 12-inch and 16- X 24-inch with English and metric measurements in 1/8-inch and 10-mm etched graduations. These value-priced steel squares are versatile for all your project needs. A hole for hanging makes this a handy tool on any workbench. Other features include easy-to-read measurements; thick steel that stays accurate with use; and a value price point.

www.krafttool.com
 0
Is Contact with Wet Mortar or Grout Dangerous?
April 2026

In the world of masonry, few materials are as common as mortar and grout. Whether you are laying brick, concrete masonry units (CMU), or pouring grout into masonry walls, wet cement and mortar are constant companions. However, beneath their utility lies a

Zach Everett
Technical Talks
Read More
The Importance of Instructor Support
April 2026

Whether you are a new or veteran masonry instructor, we all need support throughout our careers. We can never stop learning, and keeping up with ever-changing technology, materials, and installation techniques can be overwhelming alongside the everyday pr

Curtis Hoover
Resources
Read More
Vibing Masonry #11: Innovative Concrete Masonry Technologies in Healthcare Design
April 2026

In the high-stakes environment of healthcare design, every material choice is a clinical decision. Architects, engineers, and facility administrators are tasked with creating spaces that are not only resilient and code-compliant but also conducive to heal

Steve Blye
Technical Talks
Read More
Why Termination Bars Still Matter: A Practical Look at Long‑Term Flashing Performance
April 2026

In recent discussions across the masonry industry, I have heard termination bars described as “old school.” The implication is that with modern materials, primerless peel-and-stick flashings, advanced sealants, and structural insulated sheathing, mechanic

Linda Potter
Technical Talks
Read More