Old timer told me my mortar was too wet and I argued for a week before I tried it dry

I was on a patio job in Columbus and this retired bricklayer walked by, watched me lay maybe 10 bricks, and said 'you're drowning that mortar, let it sit 15 minutes before you spread it.' I told him he was crazy, that stiff mud would tear up my joints. He just shrugged and kept walking. After 2 days of fighting sagging courses and smeared faces I finally tried his way. Took a batch, covered it, waited 17 minutes, and spread it. Night and day difference on the buttering and the joints cleaned up way faster. I still don't go full dry, but I cut my water back by maybe a third and let it rest now. Anyone else get told something backwards like that and then found out the old guy was right?

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faith_smith23d ago

Tbh my grandfather said the same thing about stucco and I fought him for weeks.