Bricks, Masonry, Asphalt and Concrete - Mortar Mix Ingredients

I have a 1965 brick home in Charlotte and would like to fill in a few cracks. What do experts/professionals use for brick mortar?

Do you mix ingredients or do you use a premix? If mixed what specifically are the ingredients and what is the ratio of each i.e. cement, lime, sand.

If premix what brand/type do you use? Or is it a combination of the above i.e. type N/S mortar with sand - if so, how many parts sand to the mortar.

After mixing the ingredients what would the consistency of the mortar mix be - for instance, do you want to get it to the point where it just barely forms a ball or rather, where it holds together when you squeeze mix in hand? Or should it be a bit wetter?

Thanks

Since you are doing a small job I would get the premix. Type N is for above grade work. The masonry cement is mixed 1 part cement to 3 parts sand. It should be the consistancy of soft mud and hold a ball shape.
Make sure you remove enough of the old mortar to give you a deeper joint to work with. I usually spray a little water into the joint to help with adhesion. Mortar is ready to finish when you can press your thumb into the joint and leave an impression but no mortar sticks to your thumb. Good luck.

Great info. Thanks. So in general brick mortar is 3 parts sand to 1 part cement? If you were mixing it with individual ingredients would you add anything else, i.e. lime? If I can avoid buying premix I will because I believe I have the individual ingredients to do the job.

Thanks

If you are mixing it yourself it's a 6-1-1 mix. 6 sand 1 cement and 1 lime.