Getting my barrel started!

[Rotterdam]

Re: Getting my barrel started!

Thanks gulf! I took some fine grit paper to knock down a rough areas.

[Gulf]

Re: Getting my barrel started!

Correct after it's all said in done there will be an 8" curved ledge in front.

You can place some slurry mix (portland and very fine sand) in any of the "spider holes" now while it is still green and smooth those down with a stiff sponge. A few hours later, you can use a fine grit automotive wet sand paper and water to simi-polish. Even later, you might get away with using some acylic fortifier to give it a shine.

If you are looking for a glistening polished effect, you may have to spring for some diamond polishing pads for that curved area.



They are the rectangular blocks in the pic. They are diamond coated sponge pads. I got mine off ebay. I think that Stoncutter recomended them or something similar for the curved areas. They did work great for the curved areas of my polished concrete.

[Rotterdam]

Re: Getting my barrel started!

When originally looking at doing this project it looked like too much for me to handle. Finishing this has been encouraging!

Now a question? I've got a 2" foam glass board but nothing really to put on top of that, except some vermiculite or pearlite. I'm trying to decide if I need to go hunting for cal-sil board or maybe add an couple inches of vermicrete to go under the slags I have for my hearth. I would rather error on the Side of caution and over do it than under build.

[Rotterdam]

Re: Getting my barrel started!

Correct after it's all said in done there will be an 8" curved ledge in front.

[Gulf]

Re: Getting my barrel started!

[QUOTE=Rotterdam;17The vibrating sander did a great job of removing air. There are a few blemishes in the service I would like to polish out. Any recommendations?[/QUOTE]

There should not be very much of your hearth slab exposed after it is finished .

Edit: Looks great to me

[Rotterdam]

Re: Getting my barrel started!

Picture of it after I pulled the forms.

[Rotterdam]

Re: Getting my barrel started!

Well I pulled the forms off. Looks pretty good! Thanks the advice unfortunately I pulled the forms from underneath. The finished thickness was 4.3 inches. The vibrating sander did a great job of removing air. There are a few blemishes in the service I would like to polish out. Any recommendations?

[Tscarborough]

Re: Getting my barrel started!

NCman, what are you basing your recommendations upon?

[NCMan]

Re: Getting my barrel started!

After reading Gulf's response, I agree w/him. I hadn't looked at your suspended slab foundation photos. I thought you were referring to the edge slab forms. I would leave the braces and forms underneath on for as long as you can. Yes, 7 days at a minimum, in my opinion. The longer the better, for all of them. Forms help keep moisture in a slab. That's what you want. But, just the water that's already in the slab, not extra water on the surface.The best thing for the surface is an impermeable cover, such as plastic. In one piece, if possible.

[Gulf]

Re: Getting my barrel started!

It looks like you have a center wall. But, it would be a good idea to leave any supports under the short suspended areas of the slab for at least 3 days. I really like 7 better, though .

[NCMan]

Re: Getting my barrel started!

Rotterdam......it's best to leave the forms on as long as you can, but if they need to come off, nothing bad will happen, other than some possible chipping of the edges and the edges drying out faster. The longer they stay on, the better. Also, it's not a good idea to keep wetting the slab. That can do more harm than good, sometimes. Covering it is good, but not adding more water to the surface. The rule of thumb is to slow down the drying process, keeping the moisture in the slab as long as is practical.

[Tscarborough]

Re: Getting my barrel started!

Any time you want.

[Rotterdam]

Re: Getting my barrel started!

Started the poor yesterday afternoon. Finished up around 9 p
. Probably mixed it a bit on the wet side, but 17 bags later it's formed. Put some old sheets on top and I'm turning on the sprinkler every hour or so.

When can I take the forms off?

[cobblerdave]

Re: Getting my barrel started!

Back from a long business trip and it's time to get moving. Finished putting the rebar and filling the cinder. Tomorrow I'll frame the form for the platform. I was planning on a 4 inch thick pour. Is that enough for my base? Is 29 inches between the walls. Pic included.

G'day
4 in is great. You could get away with 3 ins but 4 ins means your rebar is well and truly covered
Regards dave

[Rotterdam]

Re: Getting my barrel started!

Back from a long business trip and it's time to get moving. Finished putting the rebar and filling the cinder. Tomorrow I'll frame the form for the platform. I was planning on a 4 inch thick pour. Is that enough for my base? Is 29 inches between the walls. Pic included.