Workshop floor

[Beanmetalworks]

Looking at making workshop floor smoother. At mo it's a tampered finish concrete but I would like it to be a smooth finish what is the easiest way todo this? Had anyone used the self levelling screed type stuff and good?

 

[mr_splatter]

I have used self levelling compound to smooth concrete floors for tiling a few times. It will give a smooth surface but you need to make sure it actually levels. I once mixed to the instructions and it poured nicely but was thicker where it was poured. It needs moving around with a trowel so that it finds its own level. You may also need a primer before you put the compound down. I think what the primer does is reduce the suction from the porous concrete to stop it drying too quick. I used the proper stuff but you might get away with diluted PVA. Also not sure how suitable it is as a finished surface.

My garage is concrete and dusty. I wanted to epoxy it but now it is full of stuff including heavy lathe and milling machine. Still deciding what to do with mine.

 

[awemawson]

For the past 20 years I've lined the floors of my various workshops with 18mm "OSB3" directly onto the concrete, fixing at 18" centres using screws and rawlplugs, then given it two coats of floor paint. Stands up to all sorts of abuse including driving a 4 ton forklift on it, and moving machinery on skates. It's dust free, and far nicer to roll around on than concrete when there is no choice other than to work off the floor. If a section does get damaged it is very easy to replace, but I haven't had to yet

OSB3 is the version of osb designed for wet conditions.

 

[GrahamGKD]

I've got some stuff called 'Level Flex' on my workshop floor - it has been there about three years now and seems to be pretty good. It is smooth and not particularly dusty - I did intend to paint it but the weather was too cold at the time and then the opportunity was missed. It does dent if you drop something heavy on it but it's not too bad - it can be repaired but mine is no way bad enough to bother with that as yet. The whole saga is revealed in this thread.

 

[Hitch]

Chuck a 4x2 of 5mm plate down for working on?
Keep the rest as is, no need to worry about damaging it when turning things over and such then....

 

[Welderpaul]

I'd leave it well alone. The lads in the next unit along screeded their floor and they handle some fairly heavy stuff. They are constantly knocking lumps out of it and spend most of the day sweeping broken bits of floor up. The broken edges cause a trip hazard.

We started off with a nice powerfloated slab but have ruined it by getting the concrete too hot and turning heavy stuff over on it/dragging beams in and out. Theres nigh on 10mm of overspray on it now that holds it all together
Get some steel dragged round it...soon knock off all the high spots.

 

[steve.h]

I would go with a "flexible/latex" self leveling compound, as said you do need to move it around good as it will end up uneven, I have always used diluted PVA for tiling, I am sure it will be fine for just the compound, it is to (a) get rid of the dusty surface and (b) stop the floor sucking the water out of the compound too quickly. I had a tool I made a bit like a rake without the nails but a little moveable wheel on each end so you are moving the right amount over the whole area. I always made the mix slightly wetter than per the instructions as it does make it easier to level, I found it just took a bit longer to harden. I would imagine you could add some concrete dye into the mix to give it colour at the same time...
HTH.
Steve.

 

[Beanmetalworks]

sounds like might be good not to bother i have got to dive loader over it at times and do quite bit of heavy stuff so prob get tatty quick. just get bit hacked off with state of floor bit anal about my workshop!

 

[Welderpaul]

Can't be as bad as the galvanisers place, they have worn the concrete down so much you can see the mesh reinforcement showing through.
Can't help constantly driving round with the fork tines constantly flat on the floor.

 

[langy]

I used ceramic tiles

 

[sm-]

Can't be as bad as the galvanisers place, they have worn the concrete down so much you can see the mesh reinforcement showing through.
Can't help constantly driving round with the fork tines constantly flat on the floor.

Chemicals gives a real beating to any floor, and fork tines on doesent help.

 

[Beanmetalworks]

haha would love a floor like that but not possible. change the subject a little what would people put as the top 3 most important things about the infrastructure of there workshop??or a workshop

 

[mike os]

I used ceramic tiles

nice motor

 

[Seano]

I used ceramic tiles

Must have cost you a choffin fortune Steve

 

[CompoSimmonite]

Why not hire a concrete planer / grinder and smooth the ridges left from tamping ?

Paul H

 

[wyn]

haha would love a floor like that but not possible. change the subject a little what would people put as the top 3 most important things about the infrastructure of there workshop??or a workshop

Plenty of room to work in.
Lots of electrical sockets with enough power to plug lots of stuff in.
Good lighting to see what you're doing.

 

[sm-]

Lots of electrical sockets with enough power to plug lots of stuff in.

Positioned no lower then waist height, on the legs of the table or under the top on made up plates.

 

[wyn]

Positioned no lower then waist height, on the legs of the table or under the top on made up plates.

I have four sockets fixed under the top of my welding bench........great for small grinders.....they can sit on the bench and the leads don't get in the way and nothing to trip over.

 

[langy]

Must have cost you a choffin fortune Steve

£320 for tiles and adhesieve, not bad eh !!!

 

[langy]

I have four sockets fixed under the top of my welding bench........great for small grinders.....they can sit on the bench and the leads don't get in the way and nothing to trip over.

All my sockets are at waist height, all 48 of them