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MP4VT2004

Joined: 09/09/2007 Posts: 16646
Likes: 13850


I hand-mixed 27 80-pound bags this past Saturday...


...and had most of them delivered by Lowe's on a pallet. For some reason their website would only allow me to order 20 for delivery, despite advertising that if you purchase 42 you save 20%. I needed 30 bags (to be safe), but I was ordering this last-minute for next-day delivery, so I didn't really have time to call and argue. So, I ordered the 20 and then just went to the store and purchased 10 bags and took them home in my truck. But theoretically, Bay Area should be able to get all of the bags delivered to his driveway IF he chooses to tackle this by hand.

I think 30-35 bags is about all I'd tackle by myself in one pour. It took me about 4 hours to mix and pour 27 bags, and thankfully none of my work will be visible, so I didn't have to worry about waiting around to strip the forms so I could then hand-finish everything. Obviously the finish is going to make or break a slab pour, so a 10x12 slab would be tough to do all by yourself if you're mixing by hand.

For the mixing, I worked out a decent process - I did it in a 32-gallon trashcan using an electric (corded) drill and a paddle mixer. Each bag requires 3.5 quarts of water, so for the first bag, I measured out exactly 3.5 quarts, poured it into a 5-gallon bucket, and then marked the water level on a wooden stake bottomed-out in the bucket. For each bag, I'd use the measuring stick to get the correct volume of water in my bucket, dump the entire amount into the trashcan, and then add 1/2 of a bag of concrete. Then I'd mix that thoroughly with the drill, and then add the rest of the bag and finish mixing. After the first few bags I got into a rhythm, and I averaged just under 5 minutes for that process for each bag. That was considerably faster and less tiring than mixing in a wheelbarrow with a shovel.

(In response to this post by EDGEMAN)

Posted: 05/06/2021 at 6:05PM



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Current Thread:
 
  
Backyard construction project question, concrete slab -- MrBayAreaHokie 05/06/2021 11:23AM
  Amen ** -- MrBayAreaHokie 05/06/2021 4:52PM
  I would avoid the slab. Expensive to build. -- GreenvilleVT 05/06/2021 1:42PM
  Build it next year. You'll overpay this year ** -- Riverguy 05/06/2021 1:24PM
  No permit in my town for -- MrBayAreaHokie 05/06/2021 1:19PM
  And EPA approval. ** -- GreenvilleVT 05/06/2021 2:27PM
  Why is anything about CA surprising? ** -- Tafkam Hokie 05/06/2021 2:19PM
  I'd put the shed on blocks and use the slab as a patio to it -- Burruss Writer 05/06/2021 1:12PM
  I hate rodents though -- MrBayAreaHokie 05/06/2021 1:17PM
  You need a MobileMIx concrete service -- Hokie in CT 05/06/2021 1:16PM
  I've built several sheds -always used a slab -- Hokie in CT 05/06/2021 12:47PM
  That sounds like a legit installation! ** -- HokieSignGuy 05/06/2021 2:10PM
  What about using prefabbed slabs? -- Baltimore Hokie 05/06/2021 12:59PM
  What about ground screws as piers? ** -- NokieHokie 05/06/2021 12:38PM
  Count your blessings -- Baltimore Hokie 05/06/2021 1:09PM
  Nah -- MrBayAreaHokie 05/06/2021 1:01PM
  Is that going in place of your pool? ** -- EDGEMAN 05/06/2021 12:17PM
  Yes, the pool is gone ** -- MrBayAreaHokie 05/06/2021 1:01PM
  The removal guys did a great job. It just passed in spection -- MrBayAreaHokie 05/06/2021 1:01PM
  Depends on how long you want it to last I guess -- typed by ben 05/06/2021 11:47AM
  Seems that hold be the most expensive option -- HOKIE 05/06/2021 11:35AM
  This is how my 12x20 workshop shed is set up... -- MP4VT2004 05/06/2021 11:52AM
  Maybe he should consider building with concrete? -- EDGEMAN 05/06/2021 12:20PM
  I know right -- MrBayAreaHokie 05/06/2021 1:03PM
  Shun ** -- TexasGobbler 05/06/2021 11:29AM
  Inside -- FfxStationHokie 05/06/2021 12:23PM
  Perfect ** -- MrBayAreaHokie 05/06/2021 1:03PM

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