From handyman at hbd.org Tue Aug 23 08:45:18 2005 From: handyman at hbd.org (The Home Handyman How-To List) Date: Tue, 23 Aug 2005 08:45:18 -0400 Subject: [Handyman] Mixing Concrete Message-ID: Anyone have any advice for mixing medium amounts on concrete in small spaces? I have an area in my basement, about 3' by 6', which is just dirt. I plan to dig it up and put in a small slab of concrete. The area is raised, and nobody would ever walk on it (not enough headroom), so I'm looking to only lay a 2-2.5" slab. I went to Quikrete's site, and based on their calculators, picked up 8 80# bags, and 4 50# bags of gravel for the under-layer. Now, what is the best way to mix this? My only experience with concrete is with post-holes, and there you just dump it in and mix in the spot. A friend recommended using a wheelbarrow to mix, but I don't see an easy way to get the wheelbarrow down there, or to pour from the wheelbarrow into the slab area (since it is raised). Would doing it two-bags at a time in a 5G bucket be my best bet? From handyman at hbd.org Tue Aug 23 08:55:47 2005 From: handyman at hbd.org (The Home Handyman How-To List) Date: Tue, 23 Aug 2005 08:55:47 -0400 Subject: [Handyman] Mixing Concrete Message-ID: <0E64DCBB7EEA2948833E4225506C7DC402EC2A8F@vistex102.vlgdc.visteon.com> I've mixed concrete in wheelbarrows many times (outside). When I had to do some work in my basement, I used a shallow, plastic container that my dad had. It was probably 3ft by 4ft and about 8-10 inches deep. Worked perfectly for its purpose. Maybe Home Depot/Lowes has something similar? It was black plastic, pretty heavy duty. Otherwise, as wheelbarrow should fit pretty easily down a stairwell. Kevin -----Original Message----- From: handyman-bounces at hbd.org [mailto:handyman-bounces at hbd.org] On Behalf Of The Home Handyman How-To List Sent: Tuesday, August 23, 2005 8:45 AM To: handyman at hbd.org Subject: [Handyman] Mixing Concrete Anyone have any advice for mixing medium amounts on concrete in small spaces? I have an area in my basement, about 3' by 6', which is just dirt. I plan to dig it up and put in a small slab of concrete. The area is raised, and nobody would ever walk on it (not enough headroom), so I'm looking to only lay a 2-2.5" slab. I went to Quikrete's site, and based on their calculators, picked up 8 80# bags, and 4 50# bags of gravel for the under-layer. Now, what is the best way to mix this? My only experience with concrete is with post-holes, and there you just dump it in and mix in the spot. A friend recommended using a wheelbarrow to mix, but I don't see an easy way to get the wheelbarrow down there, or to pour from the wheelbarrow into the slab area (since it is raised). Would doing it two-bags at a time in a 5G bucket be my best bet? _______________________________________________ Handyman mailing list Handyman at hbd.org http://hbd.org/mailman/listinfo/handyman From handyman at hbd.org Tue Aug 23 12:30:54 2005 From: handyman at hbd.org (The Home Handyman How-To List) Date: Tue, 23 Aug 2005 12:30:54 -0400 Subject: [Handyman] Handyman Digest, Vol 1, Issue 1 In-Reply-To: Message-ID: <1124814654.14542@brew.hbd.org> On 23/Aug/2005 12:00 handyman-request at hbd.org wrote .. > > Anyone have any advice for mixing medium amounts on concrete in small spaces? > > I have an area in my basement, about 3' by 6', which is just dirt. I > plan to dig it up and put in a small slab of concrete. The area is > raised, and nobody would ever walk on it (not enough headroom), so I'm > looking to only lay a 2-2.5" slab. I went to Quikrete's site, and > based on their calculators, picked up 8 80# bags, and 4 50# bags of > gravel for the under-layer. > > Now, what is the best way to mix this? My only experience with > concrete is with post-holes, and there you just dump it in and mix in > the spot. A friend recommended using a wheelbarrow to mix, but I > don't see an easy way to get the wheelbarrow down there, or to pour > from the wheelbarrow into the slab area (since it is raised). Would > doing it two-bags at a time in a 5G bucket be my best bet? When I dug up my plumbing and made it over in my own image, I mixed the concrete on the floor - ie, I dumped it into the hole, then added water, trowelled and floated it, and let it set. This project also incorporated two raised slabs - one for the shower, one for the commode. Just built a frame, dumped the 'crete in and mixed it "in situ". That thin a slab will have a tendency to crack, though. Might want to lay some chicken wire down first to help bind it. -p