Replies

1. 
   Barry_ | Dec 16, 1998 12:03am | #1

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   Tim,

   As a matter of curiosity, just how "small" was this project? What kind of pour was it? I'm having difficulty imagining a project where a concrete vibrator would be called for, but a palm sander sufficed. Also, how do you know it worked? Again, just curious.

   Barry

2. 
   Guest_ | Dec 16, 1998 11:37pm | #2

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   How deep did you submerge the sander in the concrete?

3. 
   Barry_ | Dec 17, 1998 03:11am | #3

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   Mike,

   Thanks for writing what I had been thinking.

   Barry

1. 
   Tim_Stephenson | Dec 17, 1998 08:47pm | #4

   *Barry;The project was a series of windows we were installing at my church.The new windows were inpart being installed to improve the grade of the parking lot at the rear of our building.With the new windows we gained approx. an additional 10"-12" of wall to slope the parking lot rather than the 40 year old window wells. The new stub wall was poured on top of the existing foundation. You're right a vibrator was not necessary but as you know sometimes the gentle tapping with a hammer on the exterior of the form still leaves voids. This methodproduced good results(no voids when the forms were removed)and was quick.

1. 
   Tim_Stephenson | Dec 17, 1998 08:51pm | #5

   *Mike;I chuckled upon reading your response. I appears that I left-out that portion of the narrative by accident.The palm sander was placed against the exterior of the form. I caution that with any vibrating of concrete you should be careful not to over vibrate the mix. I beleive I'm right to suggest that over vibrating will cause a separation of the mix.

1. 
   Barry_ | Dec 17, 1998 09:12pm | #6

   *I would imagine that concrete experts would doubt that vibrating the form will provide the same consolidation and air removal one gets with a submerged vibrator. You may be disappointed some time in the future.Barry

4. 
   Tim_Stephenson | Dec 23, 1998 12:50pm | #7

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   On a recent small project involving the forming and pouring of concrete I needed to vibrate the concrete. Not having a flex-shaft vibrator in my bag of tools I grabbed my orbital-palm sander. With or without paper on the pad the tool worked well and the job looks great.

5. 
   Guest_ | Dec 23, 1998 12:50pm | #8

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   I think vibrating the forms with a palm sander (or an appliance from Good Vibrations) would only compact the outer inch or so of the pour. The surface would look good, but even large air pockets in the center of the pour would remain, much less the many small voids that you are trying to settle out. Just like whacking the forms with a hammer makes the outsides look good but isn't as good as plunging a rod in and out of the center of the pour. But two points for creativity.

   -David