Replies

1. 
   junkhound | Sep 09, 2006 03:43am | #1

   Simply buy a bag or 2 of premix at a big box store or lumber yard.

   That small forget the rebar, if you have a piece of old chain link fence or welded wire fencing, that would work well, otherwise nothing really needed if you mix the concret to a stiff consistency. .

2. 
   byrnsie | Sep 09, 2006 03:57am | #2

   Why use concrete- could you fasten 2 - 2X6 pressure treated you could rip a piece of pvc trim board to finish the front or durock and stucco it. Just a thought.

1. 
   ptweav | Sep 10, 2006 03:24am | #4

   I thought about building a floor plate out of p.t. or pvc but need the top of the step to be level and felt like the concret would be the easiest way to get the level surface.  I saw a bag of high strength concrete at HD and wondered if I should just use that.  My fear is that the tap cons the door track will be attached with will break the step.  Will mixing my own be any better than the bag stuff?  Thanks

1. 
   MikeSmith | Sep 10, 2006 04:05am | #5

   the pre-mixed high strength might be ok..

    but if you mix your own , you can goose the portland  to about  3-2-2

   3" thick isn't much so you need more strengthMike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

3. 
   huddledmass | Sep 09, 2006 08:46am | #3

   3 parts aggregate (pea gravel) 2 parts sand(masonry sand?) 1 part portland cement

   "I hate quotations.  Tell me what you know"  Ralph Waldo Emerson
4. 
   TJK | Sep 11, 2006 05:53am | #6

   For small concrete jobs here is an interesting "mixer" you might want to look at:

   http://www.cretesheet.com/

   It's based on a technique used in Africa to mix mud for huts and walls.

1. 
   ptweav | Sep 12, 2006 04:27am | #10

   "Step" is what I am calling it.  Really it's a means to elevate a small area of the slab to install a sliding exterior pocket door track.  I think for what I need I'm going to go with the 3-2-2 ratio someone suggested.  Thanks

5. 
   CAGIV | Sep 11, 2006 10:25am | #7

   Depending on your location you might be able to find a "U-haul it" site.  At least that's what we call them here.   They mix small batches for you and you haul it away.  I've used 30 gallon trash barrels to transport small loads in the past. 

    

   

1. 
   BillHartmann | Sep 11, 2006 06:32pm | #9

   U-cart is one brand name for small batch mix.And it comes in a trailer that holds upto 1 1/4 CY.

6. 
   peteshlagor | Sep 11, 2006 12:44pm | #8

   3 inches high?  6 inches wide?

   These measurements are way off for a properly sized step.

   If you gotta go with the step, and IF it has to be 3 inches high, then it needs to be 18 to 20 inches wide.

   2 times the rise plus the tread should equal 24 to 26 inches.