Quick Answer

A tuck pointing blade is a small (100-125 mm) diamond disc with a U-shaped or toothed profile designed to rake out old mortar joints for repointing. Fit it on a 4" or 5" angle grinder with a dust shroud, set the depth guide to the joint depth, and run it along the joint. It removes soft mortar cleanly without damaging brick edges, cutting repointing time by 80% compared with hand chisels.

Types of Tuck Pointing Blades

Blade Type	Best For	Joint Width
U-shaped profile	Standard mortar joints	6-13 mm
Toothed / toothed rim	Hard mortar, partial rake	Any, adjustable
Diamond cup (raker)	Wide joints, fast removal	10-20 mm
V-shaped	Precise V-notch joints	Narrow

How to Use

1. Choose a blade slightly narrower than the joint.
2. Set the depth guide — rake only 2/3 of the joint depth, leaving a key for the new mortar.
3. Run the grinder along the joint with light, even pressure.
4. Use a dust shroud with extraction — mortar dust is silica-rich.
5. Brush out loose material and rinse before repointing.

A general-purpose turbo dry blade is a solid backup for joint widening, while a dedicated tuck pointing disc keeps brick edges clean.

Safety Tips

• Mortar dust is high in silica — always use extraction and a P100 respirator.
• Don't press hard — let the blade cut at its own pace.
• Keep fingers clear of the disc; never use a tuck pointing blade without the guard.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I rake mortar with a regular diamond blade?

A: Not safely — a flat blade can't control joint depth and will chew the brick edges. Use a profiled tuck pointing disc.

Q: How deep should I rake for repointing?

A: Typically 15-20 mm, or 2/3 of the joint depth — deep enough for the new mortar to key in.

Q: What about hard cement mortar?

A: Use a toothed tuck pointing blade and take multiple passes. If it's truly unworkable, consider grinding the joint wider first.

Q: Does tuck pointing save time?

A: Yes — a crew raking by hand does 5-10 m² a day; with a tuck pointing blade, 40-60 m².

Conclusion

Tuck pointing blades turn mortar raking from a slow hand job into a fast mechanical one. Browse our small-diameter cutting range for angle grinder discs and accessories.