floating/smoothing a new garage pad.

[W.olly]

I have decided to replace the flagged area where the Clarke garage is going with a proper concrete pad. It will be 7.5m x 4m so a larger pad than normal for me to do. biggest i hav edone is 5mx3m and that was shard but i didnt need it smooth. Well as smooth as i want it this time, I am thinking C35 will do it.
I am usure if to paint it yet but that will have to be done after a few moths once fully dry anyway.

Now what would be the best way to smooth it out ?

 

[8ob]

Bull float is ideal on a small area like that.

Bob

 

[W.olly]

Bull float is ideal on a small area like that.

Bob

Didnt know they were called that, used one on the con`y base that the lads lent me. just looked for one to buy, not cheap are they.

 

[gaz1]

theres a cheap way

 

[Erie Fred]

I do the forming, insulation (under slab), heating PEX, re-bar, etc.
But I don't "do" concrete, I farm it out to some friends.
Every time I hear a pre-mix truck downshifting, and turning in the drive, I get the Heebi Jeebi's.

 

[W.olly]

after 8ob commented and i seen the price, like i do i thought why not make one, I can sheet from work and make it pivot though. mite have an old fishing pole here i can use

 

[Agroshield]

...I can sheet from work and make it pivot though.

Have a look at the space around the slab. You need space behind you for the float handle when the float is nearest to you. If the space is not there, you have to make the handle shortenable. The space will also tell you the direction you need to float and thus the length of handle you need.

The proper bull floats have a worm gearbox at the pivot. When you push the float away from you, the nearest edge to you is touching the concrete. When you pull it back towards you, the furthest edge from you is touching the concrete. The gearbox allows you to keep the float angle reasonably constant as the float crosses the slab and the angle of the handle held in your hand changes. You could probably hire one. Vevor is showing one with the proper gearbox for £108 (with 5.4m worth of handles).

 

[striker]

I just used my hand float to do my 6x6m garage base. A couple of pieces of plywood to move around and kneel on as I went. It's just getting the timing right. Stiff enough not to sink but soft enough to get a finish.
.

 

[8ob]

Mine uses a chain back and front to tilt the float, twist one way or the other to raise or dip. Needs to be at least 1200 wide.

 

[Melvyn Best]

after 8ob commented and i seen the price, like i do i thought why not make one, I can sheet from work and make it pivot though. mite have an old fishing pole here i can use

Can you not hire one?

 

[Agroshield]

Mine uses a chain back and front to tilt the float

That is much easier to do on a home made one. For a one-off, it could be rope or nylon webbing. Thanks for posting.

 

[Smallfry]

I will add though, that if you are not well used to doing this, employ a professional.

You only have one chance with concrete outside. You have to book the readymix in advance and hope the weather will be OK. Ideally not raining, but overcast and not hot. When I did my workshop base years ago, 8M2 of concrete, it ended up sunny and hot, and started to go off before I could get a half decent finish. So had to overlay inside once the building was finished.

Would have got them to put retarder in it, but the weather forecasters got it very wrong as usual.

 

[Erie Fred]

I will add though, that if you are not well used to doing this, employ a professional.

You only have one chance with concrete outside. You have to book the readymix in advance and hope the weather will be OK. Ideally not raining, but overcast and not hot. When I did my workshop base years ago, 8M2 of concrete, it ended up sunny and hot, and started to go off before I could get a half decent finish. So had to overlay inside once the building was finished.

Would have got them to put retarder in it, but the weather forecasters got it very wrong as usual.

Yup ^^^^ in 20 minutes it's all on the ground and starting to kick off.
My friends do this every day, and they can tell when & where the batch is, and when to wait, and when to hustle.

 

[roofman]

Yup ^^^^ in 20 minutes it's all on the ground and starting to kick off.
My friends do this every day, and they can tell when & where the batch is, and when to wait, and when to hustle.

I can honestly say that for spectacular concrete work it has to be USA...there workmanship is top notch, i follow a couple of concrete company's on YouTube and the attention to detail is the best.

 

[Erie Fred]

I can honestly say that for spectacular concrete work it has to be USA...there workmanship is top notch, i follow a couple of concrete company's on YouTube and the attention to detail is the best.

Was not "Portland" invented in the Uk ?

 

[roofman]

Was not "Portland" invented in the Uk ?

twas

 

[8ob]

Was not "Portland" invented in the Uk ?

Only the name Fred, the Romans were using cement when god was a boy.

Bob

 

[awemawson]

Most things were invented here !!!!

 

[gaz1]

Only the name Fred, the Romans were using cement when god was a boy.

Bob

sea concrete is much better and has passed the test of time infact it gets stronger

Roman concrete - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[God mode restorations]

Bull float is good. You can get a very nice finish. Or if you feel a little more adventurous got with a power float