How to rig a home made compactor?

Richard · Nov 4, 2009

CurlyDave said:
I agree with Greg, do not vibrate the flagstones -- to much chance of cracking them.

Just tamp the polymeric sand into the cracks by hand with an appropriate-shaped tool.

You guys are killing me!!

Since this is being typed and you can't hear my (smiling) tone inflections let me suggest:

1. I'm specifically NOT talking about an industrial type vibrator, I'm talking about fabricating something... like a 1x10 maybe 20" long... somehow attach a slab of rubber to the bottom, maybe use a section of old tire?

Then with this against the joints, use my impact chisel or large 12" back/forth sander to help transmit the vibrations through the rubber pad to the stones. I am specifically trying to avoid a commercial vibrator for umpteen other reasons (don't want to pay delivery, can't use my car, don't want to lug it around, heck...don't want to pay for it!)

2. By hand? lolllllllllllllllllll You gotta be in cahoots with my wife, trying to do me in??? I can probably assure you right now that there is no way I'm going to do the walkway and the back patio by hand. (of course, the INSTANT I make this proclamation, the camera will fast forward in time to see me sitting there with my little spoon tool.... quietly compressing the stuff in the joints by hand

)

Seriously though.... for the amount of joints I have.... that's what I'm trying to get away from. Tis why I was thinking of making a vibrating tool.

3. I could see where a commercial vibrator *might* crack a flagstone. Or perhaps, cleve might be a better word since they seem to be layered?? My last 4 tons that I bought are very different than the original stones I put down. They are less layered and more uniform in their internal construction. I would remain 99.9999999999999992374932729847% sure (yes, I rounded up to make it simple

) that I could take a commercial vibrator over those and they'd be fine. Heck...with a good substrate under them, I'm about as sure I could drive my industrial backhoe over them and they'd be fine. They do not have the layers that many of my others have.

Be it as it may... I got a kick out of the idea of compressing each joint by hand. Actually.... truth be told.... I had a brief moment of deep pause because if my home made vibrator idea doesn't work (and it probably wont) then doing it all by hand has already crossed my mind as a probability.

I just wish the wife would let this settle over the winter and allow me to do it next spring rather than rush out in November to do it while my teeth are chattering.

Wheatland KB · Nov 4, 2009

MikeD74T said:
Crank shaft & block from lawnmower/snowblower engine with piston & rod removed makes a fine unbalanced weight with bearings & mounting base with bolt holes. Use tywrap on the journal for an oil slinger. Made a power screed for concrete with a vertical shaft motor. Works great. MikeD74T

Thanks MikeD74T. I love this idea and the wife will thank you for helping me to get rid of at least one of the old briggs engines that I just can't junk.

Oh..and Richard thanks for rounding that probability. I think you will be able to do something with the air hammer. Even if what you devise breaks 3 times and you have to repair it...no worries as long as its fairly simple.

Greg9504 · Nov 4, 2009

1. I'm specifically NOT talking about an industrial type vibrator, I'm talking about fabricating something

You sure?

This sounds perfect for our situation....except.... I don't have and don't really want to rent a compactor again.
....
So.... how might something be fabricated that could be used to help vibrate the stones and let this stuff settle between them?

I know the 'right' answer might be to rent a compactor/vibrator but....

That certainly sounds like you were talking about a compactor.

2. By hand? lolllllllllllllllllll

Well your current method sounds no less labour intensive and no where in your post did you bother to tell us how large an area you are working on. Even in your second post your only hint is that you had 4 tons delivered, (two pallets worth?).

Right now, (prior to wife discovering this polymeric sand exists) I've been simply using water to help get the grout sand to settle. Adding more sand after it settles down.

. I would remain 99.9999999999999992374932729847% sure (yes, I rounded up to make it simple ) that I could take a commercial vibrator over those and they'd be fine.

Given your confidence, you can rent a small compactor for less than $50/day, and you'll only need it for a few hours at most. The handles fold or come off and you can put it right in the trunk of your car. Or you can screw around with an air hammer... how that method is any less work than hand working the few joints that require work after sweeping it in is lost on me.