| mix designs? |
| 03-16-2008 19:55:14 |
Member
Posts: 13
Joined: 04-26-2007
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I would like to know a standard good mix design for countertops(cement rock sand ratio) Im no expert but enjoy concrete as a hobby and i cant seem to get the "right" batch. Any advice would be very helpful.
thanks 1/2 irish
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| 03-16-2008 20:21:49 |
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Posts: 32
Joined: 01-18-2007
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Good luck my friend, I think you will find most ctop makers guard the recipe with their life. Might I suggest you start with a good bag mix like Encounter or Buddy Rhodes. There are also many commericial bag mixes that work as well.
Sincerely
J Parris
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| 03-16-2008 20:39:27 |
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Posts: 13
Joined: 04-26-2007
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ha ha . I kinda figured that would be the respons id get. Well i live in a small town in idaho your secrets safe with me. what bag mix would you recommend?
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| 03-16-2008 20:40:40 |
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Posts: 13
Joined: 04-26-2007
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sorry about that if i would have paid attention you already recommended some. thanx
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| 03-17-2008 08:03:22 |
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Posts: 89
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94 lbs cement
230 lbs concrete sand
140 lbs 3/8" rock
30 to 35 lbs water
water reducer
There are some other things but this mix alone can be used as a starting point ,it will yield 6000 psi +
Give me a call if you like to discuss details.
480-299-0704
Jim R
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| 03-17-2008 12:58:40 |
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Posts: 4
Joined: 03-13-2008
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Anyone used a precision grout mix? I think the professional's on this board would probably shrug it off.. but they claim 8000-14000 PSI.
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| 03-17-2008 13:04:24 |
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Posts: 42
Joined: 02-04-2007
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I know you guys like strong and sturdy mixes, but damn.......are you guys driving a truck on the piece? 14,000 psi. What the?
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| 03-17-2008 15:49:19 |
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Posts: 52
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Blair, I could never figure that out either. Whats the big deal about the compressive strength of a concrete countertop? So long as at can support your Thanksgiving turkey or maybe a wild romantic night....
I think the tensile strength and proper sealer would be much more important. Does that make sense to anyone else?
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| 03-17-2008 16:51:28 |
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Posts: 8
Joined: 08-28-2007
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To me it boils down to cost verses gain.
I can mix my own 10,000 PSI concrete for about $1.00 sq ft. (1.5” thick). When the average piece is going for $85 sq. ft., the question is why not use 10,000 PSI concrete?
Faster turnaround time (strip and polish the next day), less chance of breaking during handling, no curling.
Mark C
www.concretecountertopplant.com
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| 03-17-2008 17:32:35 |
Member
Posts: 13
Joined: 04-26-2007
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Thanxs desert dog. I will give that a try and if i have any questions ill call .
1/2 irish
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| 03-18-2008 18:56:06 |
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Posts: 31
Joined: 11-29-2007
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desertdog, What do you think about 3/8" granite and mason sand from the stone yard? Is mason sand out of the question? Should I only use kiln dried sand? Is it necessary to wash the 3/8" granite and let dry before use? What do you use as slurry, Portland mixed w/color?
Any help would be great, Thanks!
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| 03-19-2008 16:27:23 |
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Posts: 14
Joined: 02-13-2008
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QUOTE desertdog, 2008-03-17 08:03:22 94 lbs cement
230 lbs concrete sand
140 lbs 3/8" rock
30 to 35 lbs water
water reducer
There are some other things but this mix alone can be used as a starting point ,it will yield 6000 psi +
Give me a call if you like to discuss details.
480-299-0704
Jim R
Would that translate to:
9 part cement
23 part sand
14 part agg
3 part water
I am looking for ratio, like to build a small top to beging with, may be like 120cm x 60cm x 4 or 5cm, just that the measurement above seems quite a bit.
Thanks for your help
Cal
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| 03-20-2008 09:45:18 |
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Posts: 11
Joined: 08-27-2007
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QUOTE Caloute, 2008-03-19 16:27:23
I am looking for ratio, like to build a small top to beging with, may be like 120cm x 60cm x 4 or 5cm, just that the measurement above seems quite a bit.
Thanks for your help
Cal
That's about;
27 lbs portland
66 lbs 3/8" pea gravel
40 lbs sand
and a gallon of water
per cuft
Your top would need a little over 1.5 cubes so mix up 2.
Start with 1 gal water per cuft but you will likely need to add more unless you use a water reducer or super plasticizer... which you should anyways.
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| 03-25-2008 22:58:48 |
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Posts: 14
Joined: 02-13-2008
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Hey thanks for that.
So that is:
12kg of cement
30kg of gravel
18kg sand
3.80 litres
Seems like a lot, but then again, you are the expert...
Cal
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| 03-25-2008 23:04:20 |
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Posts: 14
Joined: 02-13-2008
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So that would be very rougly:
1 part cement
3 part gravel
2 part sand
1/3 part water
Cal
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| 03-26-2008 19:43:41 |
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Posts: 42
Joined: 03-20-2008
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QUOTE Caloute, 2008-03-25 23:04:20 So that would be very rougly:
1 part cement
3 part gravel
2 part sand
1/3 part water
Cal
May I suggest switching gravel and sand to:
3 part sand
2 part gravel
Paul
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| 04-02-2008 20:33:44 |
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Posts: 64
Joined: 04-02-2008
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here is an easy mix that is good for a trowel finished cast in place. You'll need a home depot around. 2-80lb. bags of sacrete 5000 1-50lb bag sakcrete fast set 1-94lb bag of holcim cement or equivelant. mix really dry in a cement mixer. this will cover roughly 10-12 sqft @ 1.5" thick
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