The "I have nothing Interesting to Say" Thread

[Sportsdude]

I've become really good at shopping over the past few months. I get 10-30 dollars off on groceries because I get the sale stuff. lol


 

[49er]

P.C. wrote:
I was hoping to get some scoop on pouring into frames...or molds.  I want to try to make the same exposed aggregate on the steps to the shop, as the pre-made ones.  I was thinking it might be easier than trying to cut them down to size.[/DIV]
 do this...

1. pour your concrete and finish the surface

2. spray coke (as in coca cola) onto the surface....coke works as a retardant

3. hose off surface next day, use a broom to clean off the cement off the aggregate

[P.C.]

 do this...

1. pour your concrete and finish the surface

2. spray coke (as in coca cola) onto the surface....coke works as a retardant

3. hose off surface next day, use a broom to clean off the cement off the aggregate

    Really ?  How interesting.  What is it retarding ?

  Should I be expecting any problems with the molds releasing ?  Also....I am not making a smooth finish...I will be embedding pea gravel to make exposed aggregate....hopefully to match the ones I've purchased.  

Or are you saying I should add the pea gravel IN to the concrete ?[/DIV]

[49er]

P.C. wrote:
 Really ?  How interesting.  What is it retarding ?



Should I be expecting any problems with the molds releasing ?  Also....I am not making a smooth finish...I will be emb edding pea gravel to make exposed aggregate....hopefully to match the ones I've purchased.  

Or are you saying I should add the pea gravel IN to the concrete ?[/DIV][/DIV]
 Coke is used to slow the chemical reaction of the cement.

  There are commercial form releasing sprays available.......usually purifin base

  Concrete is a mixture of cement, sand, aggregate and water.  For an expose aggregate surface finish, a finisher would hose down the surface to expose the aggregate before the concrete hardens.....it takes experience to know when this can be done without damaging the concrete.  A concrete retardant or coke is used by amateurs finishers.

  If a particular color of expose aggregate is preferred, then the aggregate is added on the surface and pressed into the wet concrete.  

  This is how I did in the past.......After I had poured my slab, I smooth finish the surface with additional cement powder, I added the aggregate and worked it into the surface, pushing sand and cement paste up around the new aggregate.....sometimes adding more cement and little water to make it workable.   I was adviced to wait until the surface sheen disappear before washing it off.....but I waited like an hour and used a soft broom to clean the surface.

  Are you planning to use a mold, with the surface of the mold for shaping the expose concrete face?  Never seen it done this way.    

[P.C.]

   Are you planning to use a mold, with the surface of the mold for shaping the expose concrete face?  Never seen it done this way.

    That's what I was hoping to do.  I have a couple areas that require some custom sizes...so I thought it might work if I framed up a few molds to fit.

   I was thinking that I could pour them, and then wait until it starts setting up a bit then maybe make a bit of slip to pour on the surface...just enough for the aggregate to stick to.  Tamp the aggregate to work it down a wee bit and level it...and ummm...cross my fingers ?

  These things always seem so simple in my mind, until reality has a nasty way of complicating it....lol  Do you think this method is workable ?[/DIV]

[Orik]

 greetings fellow netizens way to complicated to understand agregating coka cola surfacing brooms mops bears facials.. oh my...

any ways its hump day, happy hump day to those now on a Monday - Friday 9 to 5 shifts like me... oh did i mention i have returned to work full time... alarms sounding time for me to go. or i will be late.  

is it spelled hump day 2 words or should it be humpday 1 word ?

my health is almost 100 percent. just minor fatigue and the occasional issue of insomnia raising its uncivilized head... no choice but to return to work early even if it does put unneeded stress on my life...

my work insurance agent disavowed my medical claim stating that since my liver is fine i should be fine... i guess they never heard of secondary problems arising from the primary problems ie fatigue insomnia.. those that need to be settled to return to a normal life  no real appeals process

i can not live on welfare. 610 dollars per month only pays my rent. it wont pay my bills or buy me food. so i am enforced to return to work 1 month b4 i had planned on with my specialist... but beggars can not be choosers my company / employer is understanding on my health issues and alows me to do my duties as i can. with minor modification in them to match my current health..

today is my 3rd shift.  i have got to hit the shower. make some tea and then be out the door..

c yah all l8r providing i survive the morning commute of incensed drivers of coffins on wheels who fail to c cyclists the size of a wale

 

[49er]

P.C. wrote:
 

That's what I was hoping to do.  I have a couple areas that require some custom sizes...so I thought it might work if I framed up a few molds to fit. [/DIV]

  OK.....I am totally confuse.  Do you mean a mold as like a jello mold or cake mold where you flip the concrete out so the bottom becomes the top surface, or build the edge forms to custom fit the locations?   If it's the latter, don't wait until the concrete is set to pour the surface otherwise temperature variations could cause separation in the future.

[P.C.]

 OK.....I am totally confuse.  Do you mean a mold as like a jello mold or cake mold where you flip the concrete out so the bottom becomes the top surface, or build the edge forms to custom fit the locations?   If it's the latter, don't wait until the concrete is set to pour the surface otherwise temperature variations could cause separation in the future.

    I'm not surprised that I'm confusing you....I have a tendency to do that, because I often don't speak the language that matches what I want to do.  What I want to do is....(I'll keep it simple and use a 'square' as my example)  I want to build a square frame.  (mold ?)  Then...pour in the concrete.  Then add the pea gravel onto the surface.  Release it from the frame, to have a custom sized patio paver.  The top will remain the top.

  That's a good point about temperature variations.  I wasn't thinking to let it set up until hard though....just set up enough, that the stones won't settle too deep.  

  Am I out of my mind...or is this doable.

  I think your method is probably best...but I don't trust my knowledge enough (which is none) to know the consistency of the concrete to allow the proper amount of aggregate to be exposed....and I want it to match.  I thought I might have more control, if I applied it to the surface.  No ?[/DIV]

[49er]

just make sure you have enough of of the cement grout around the aggregate to hold them in place

[P.C.]

OK.  That's why I was wondering if I should mix a thin-set to add to the top.  But your explanation makes me realize this might not be a good idea.  Thanks for your advice 49er.  Now all I need is some sunshine to get out there and get it done.  

[Michel]

   
 

[P.C.]

You have to pay for air care test ?

[Michel]

   

[P.C.]

 Yes Aircare seems to cost 45 $ according to their website, but my inspection was something like 100-150 $. [FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffff80"]I can't remember well.[/FONT]

     Well...are ya sure Metropolis was colourized then ? [/DIV]

[Michel]