When presented with the prospect of repositioning over 50 concrete reinforcing-wall blocks, my bad back and shoulders cringed. I came up with the idea of the lightweight template shown here. It is made of 3/4-in. plywood and 1x cedar. The template weighs 4.8 lb., in contrast to the 60-lb. concrete blocks. Its light weight allowed me to place it many times so that I could adjust the adjacent blocks and add or remove gravel base.
I made the holes on top of the template big enough for a gloved hand, and the holes on the bottom mimic the concrete bases. A small strip on the bottom helps set the courses in alignment.
I used an 8-in. spirit level and a 2-lb. maul to make the exact location and support for each concrete block. I then had only to lower the concrete block once into position and tap it into its final place. I saved myself from having to lift over 3000 lb. of blocks several times, and my body was grateful.
—John W. Dueringer, Camano Island, WA
Edited and illustrated by Charles Miller
From Fine Homebuilding #248
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nice idea
A great example of looking at the process, not just the materials and end result.
Wish I thought of that a long time ago!