I don’t do a lot of concrete, and it looks like I’ve got a small room addition slab coming up. Probably just one old guy (me) and an inexperienced helper. Was thinking about picking up a screed vibrator for the project, thought it might make the going a little smoother. One of these. What does anyone know about screed vibrators? (I’ve never used one before)
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Replies
Huck, I've used one plenty. They work great, but there is a learning curve, and it is better suited to screeding stiffer concrete. Too wet a mix, and the vibration settles the aggregate too far from the top.
If you must have a new toy, and you foresee more slabs in your future, I can recommend the screed-vibe.
However, for what one costs, for one slab, maybe you could hire the nieghbor's kid to help?
The heck, you say?
OK, point well taken. Thanks for the input!
More than a small slab and I call in a finisher. I've done it plenty of times, they still do it better.
get the one that looks like a weed eater with a 6 foot screed on it. pour about a 4 1/2 inch slump. 2+3=7
Yeah, I believe that is what I'll do. I've gotten a couple of bids, but 2500 seems kinda steep for an 8 by 23 slab. For that money I'd rather do it myself, even with the cost of a finisher!
I had a 24 x 30. I bought the concrete. paid the finisher $300. 2+3=7
That's what I'm saying. Get the mud, I'm the helper, the finisher gets $300-400 for most of a day's work. He probably brings a power screed and a bull float, a few trowels.
I mean, I paid a lead man and two helpers, $300 total. 2+3=7
you could figger out a way to clamp a pad sander to a 2x4....
Mr. T.
"I YAM WHAT I YAM AND THATS ALL THAT I YAM"
-U.S. Sweet Potato Council
Yeah,but.....
You have to screed really fast before the board is sanded through.The heck, you say?
Screed Vibe
We use them too, they work great and you can pour lower slumps. We got a really good price on our new one last week online. Our old one lasted about 10 years of fairly good use. Just dont get a generic one...the one we snagged was from apearms website. We also got a set of the arms they sell so we can stand.
If you dont do much concrete it may be expensive to buy the vibe, maybe get just the arms to help you with a wetter slump/mix.
Dan