Michigan WFO

[Lars]

Re: Michigan WFO

Mark,
Usually when you vibrate with a vibrator, it bubbles up and puddles at the top, and the overall level drops about a 1/2" ( depending on the shape of the form -- more or less)

There can still be voids, but the majority of them go away at that point.


For pouring there are three main factors. The surface, the seals, and the mix and how it's poured. Usually vaseline makes a good bond breaker for the surfaces. Plain old caulk will seal up most of the leaks in forms, and thick concrete that can be vibrated to a puddling point will maybe still have to be filled with some kind of fine mix after taking off the form.

The guys who do this day in and day out vibrate with concrete vibrators repeatedly all over the form...especially behind the visible front surfaces of the piece.

Oops...long answer again.

L.

[ThisOldGarageNJ]

Re: Michigan WFO

Lars,
Is there any special technique for countertops ? I have vibrated concrete forms for machinery and we just did it till it bubbled up ...

Mark

[Lars]

Re: Michigan WFO

Mike,
I've done many castings and pours...it is usually hard to avoid voids.

A rubber mallet wil do much more than a finish sander. HF makes a cute vibrator for 89 on sale (which is a great price by the way) that would be perfect size for a counter top.

At any rate, it takes a few times more vibrating than most people think while they are placing concrete.

L.

[mfiore]

Re: Michigan WFO

If you pour in place, I think it's less of an issue. You can smooth the top with good trowel work. My pour was made upside down, so I couldn't see the bubbles (the bottom looks great, though!)

[mfiore]

Re: Michigan WFO

I did just that, vibrated the sides with a finish sander. I wasn't thorough enough, though. If you look at my pour, it got kind of messy with concrete spilled over the sides. I was making a mess of the sander, so I did a half-a** job before giving up. If you are neater, or if you care less about your sander, you could really spend more time vibrating.

[ThisOldGarageNJ]

Re: Michigan WFO

It was evident that I vibrated them inadequately, as there was quite a bit of tiny holes or "honeycombing."

Mfiore....
How did you vibrate, ?? I've seen the guys use finishing sanders on the sides of the form, I Would like to do mine in place, Im a little nervous, but if it doesnt turn out I guess i could just tile over it ....


Mark

[Lars]

Re: Michigan WFO

Wow,
I may have to try that for my counter... though, I was thinking of just pouring and tile.

L.

[mfiore]

Re: Michigan WFO

Well, I thought I'd jump on the bandwagon and try my hand at a polished concrete counter.

I was started by making several trial squares to see what pigment combination I liked best. As you can imagine, it was hard for me to reproduce any of them a second time. I tried a blend of earth-tone red and brown, using Quickrete 5000psi bags.

I was really afraid of screwing up, ending up stuck with something I didn't like, so rather than pouring in place, I created a template and built frames to pour a free standing counter I could set in place.

I cured for 3 days before removing the forms. It was evident that I vibrated them inadequately, as there was quite a bit of tiny holes or "honeycombing." I made a paste of colored concrete, which ended up a little different color, and filled in the tiny holes. This gave the concrete some character. I'll polish it up over the next couple days and let you know how it turned out. If I don't like it, it will a 200lb problem to dispose of!

[mfiore]

Re: Michigan WFO

I plan to grout them.

[smuth10]

Re: Michigan WFO

Looks great Mike. Are you leaving the joints as they are or are you going to grout them? I left mine and I am thinking I may grout them one day.

[mfiore]

Re: Michigan WFO

A little progress this weekend. I worked most of the weekend (not on the oven, that other job that pays for the oven!)

I did have some time today, though. The weather was great. We were able to plug away at the stone work a little bit. Once again, I'm really thankful that my wife is enjoying piecing them together. She is lining them up and lettering them for me to come later and mortar them in place.

Photos of both sides and the back. We haven't started on the front until we figure out some sort of counter.

[mfiore]

Re: Michigan WFO

Thanks, Dino. We've had some fairly lousy weather this summer, so it's easy to forget the beauty of Michigan. I worry if I send my wife to California, she might not come back!!

[Dino_Pizza]

Re: Michigan WFO

Mike, we've been enjoying your picasa web album pics. All my in-laws are imports from Michigan so we marvel at homes with no fences, green lawns etc... (actually, they were evacuated because of the forest fires so we hung out in our swim pool, drinking wine and looking at Picasa)

The pics of your oven head-on look great! You made a wise move in shortening the eaves. The proportions look good. Can't wait to see the stone work all done. When you wife is through with your stone veneer, send her here to SoCal and she can help with mine! -Thanks, Dino

[mfiore]

Re: Michigan WFO

She certainly looks as if she's enjoying herself anyway...

I love the stone veneer! Is it going to go all over or just on the stand?

She admitted to having fun. Hopefully her enthusiasm will persist. We have a lot to go.

Our plan is to cover the entire oven with the stone.

[Frances]

Re: Michigan WFO

She certainly looks as if she's enjoying herself anyway...

I love the stone veneer! Is it going to go all over or just on the stand?