Replies

1. 
   FastEddie1 | May 26, 2003 07:57pm | #1

   I have not done it but...in the book Concrete Countertps by Cheng pub by Taunton there is a section on grinding counters (pg 136-141) as well as a short discussion of terrazzo.  Look for a thread on Free Books and follow the link to an on-line cheapie book seller...that's where I got mine...they were quick and reasonable...some books for $2 and some for 25% off.

   Do it right, or do it twice.

2. 
   fireball | May 27, 2003 05:01am | #2

   I think they may be playing checkers at the nursing home with the lathers.

3. 
   Jencar | May 27, 2003 05:40am | #3

   Last week DH and I took a walk down Hollywood Blvd...saw a guy installing a new star for someone. He was pouring the orange-red terrazo mix into the brass outline of the star...when we came back by he had left it to set up. Wished I could've stayed to see what happens next.

   Many of the floors in our school district RRs have the original from 40-50 years ago...they still look great. Wouldn't mind having that in my kitchen too. Alas, styles change.

   Jen

4. 
   migraine | May 28, 2003 01:04am | #4

   I'll try and help as best I can.  I worked on a job with some gys that did teraazo on all the floors.  They put seashells in the mix (abelone, oyster, conch,colored rock, glass, colored concrete/mix.  

   They set the forms for the area to be poored and used a approx 3/16" thick by 1 1/2 aluminum for the expansion joints.  The aluminum was glued on edge to the sub base with epoxy.  This also was used for the screed lines and the separations between the different types/colors of the mixes.

   When the material had cured, the used a diamond cup grinder to roughly knock down the rough float.  they then started to use various grit grinding stones and water to hone down the surface flat and eventually bring it to the desired surface sheen.

   You can buy a 4" diamond cup grinder that will fit most hand held grinders.  They run about $100.  The various grit grinding stones can be purchased at any marble/granite material supply houses.  Colored rock, glass, shells are availble through terazzo supply house.  I think that finding what type of aggregate you want and getting it delivered will be the hardest part of the job.

   There are terazzo grinders that you can rent at most rental yards.

   I've had to grind an area of my drive that was poured a little too high where it meets the shop slab. Didn't take too long.  Did it dry/no water.  The cup grinder I have has been in use for many years.  It's worth the investment.  It's unbelievable the amount to things I have used it on.  I've worn out 2) 4" Makita grinders with it.

   I can't wait to do the same type of work on my next home. 

1. 
   Quickstep | May 28, 2003 01:14am | #5

   Thanks for the information, it's really helpful and strengthens my resolve to give this a try.

   A couple of questions....... How big is a terazzo grinder? Is it something I could get onto a counter top? Secondly, if I use the 4" cup grinder, will I be able to develop enough "touch" to make it grind a flat surface on something the size of a counter top?

1. 
   FastEddie1 | May 28, 2003 03:47am | #6

   One of the local Nations Rents at lowes has a concrete grinder, looks like a orbital floor sander but it has different grades of stones.  Probably a bit too much for a counter.Do it right, or do it twice.

2. 
   migraine | May 28, 2003 04:29am | #7

   I have a 4" cup grinder, but it is too coarse for a final finish.  It will give me a pretty good rough finish.  Also will have alot to do with the lenght of cure time.  The longer, the harder the top will be.  There are other types of finish pad systems out there.  Try going to a company that supplies the marble and Granit fabricators in you area