Our build thread, renovation and extension
Discussion
Pixel-Snapper said:
Love that fact that your making your own conrete worktops Munch.
Would love the fact that your doing it on your nice new oak flooring though.....!
Just be careful kid.
I've bought shedloads of 1000 grade damp proof membrane to cover the whole floor so it should be fine.Would love the fact that your doing it on your nice new oak flooring though.....!
Just be careful kid.
Dude, I invented that bed a couple of years ago! Unfortunately I've not been allowed to build it. However, I'm going to forgive the IP theft as your pictures will probably sell it to the boss and I might get to build one when we convert our loft.. I didn't think of the floating cabinets, so I'm going to steal those and we can call it quits.
Looking forward to the casting of the worktops, I bought the book you recommended. Sadly we've gone for iroko as we don't have the time to do the concrete thing. When I sort out my workshop I might cast the worktops in there instead. I was looking at casting a concrete patio a while ago, but I think I'd need a few practice goes to get it properly smooth.
Make sure you take lots of pics and good luck!
Looking forward to the casting of the worktops, I bought the book you recommended. Sadly we've gone for iroko as we don't have the time to do the concrete thing. When I sort out my workshop I might cast the worktops in there instead. I was looking at casting a concrete patio a while ago, but I think I'd need a few practice goes to get it properly smooth.
Make sure you take lots of pics and good luck!
Haha, thanks! There are quite a few people online who have done the whole floating bed thing.
Apparently one of the samples I did last night has gone a bit crumbly so I may need even less water in it than I thought (it did have a fair bit of cream coming off it which I allowed to drip off.
Apparently one of the samples I did last night has gone a bit crumbly so I may need even less water in it than I thought (it did have a fair bit of cream coming off it which I allowed to drip off.
Yeah, I probably should have left it. I think the other one is setting fine.
These are the ratios I am using:
Ratio Per 40kg load
Cement 0.2 7.65
Pea Shingle 0.3 10.94
Sand 0.5 21.30
Fibres 0.0 0.11
Plasticizer 1% by cement content 230ml
Dry pigment 5% by cement content 417g
Liquid pigment 1L per 400kg 417ml
Water 2 litres
These are the ratios I am using:
Ratio Per 40kg load
Cement 0.2 7.65
Pea Shingle 0.3 10.94
Sand 0.5 21.30
Fibres 0.0 0.11
Plasticizer 1% by cement content 230ml
Dry pigment 5% by cement content 417g
Liquid pigment 1L per 400kg 417ml
Water 2 litres
Stupid question but what is the easiest way to run a 110v US appliance here? I want a specific ceiling fan and have found a cheap one in the US and the saving may well make it worth it. Is it a case of sticking a big 110v site transformer in the loft if necessary or is there a better method?
Muncher said:
Stupid question but what is the easiest way to run a 110v US appliance here? I want a specific ceiling fan and have found a cheap one in the US and the saving may well make it worth it. Is it a case of sticking a big 110v site transformer in the loft if necessary or is there a better method?
No, muncher - you can get step down transformers from Amazon that are small and <20Worktops cast yesterday!
It's quite hard work, it took all day to prepare the moulds, weight the sand and pea shingle, mix it, transfer to barrow, transfer it to a bucket, transfer it to a mould, press it in by hand, level, place the steel, wire the steel to suspend it in the mould, vibrate it, cover with other layer, smooth, vibrate again etc.
It seemed to go ok. The first bath we made was too runny, so we mixed it with a more dry mix but for some reason that one had a lot more water coming off the top of it. Getting the water right seemed key, hopefully they will turn out ok! I'm leaving them for 2 weeks before attempting to remove them from the moulds.
Had to go to Aldi to get 15 carrier bags so we could weigh out the cement, charcoal pigment and fibres!
Moulds ready to go
Water reducer and liquid black pigment measured out in bathes
First layer of concrete laid
First one done
It's quite hard work, it took all day to prepare the moulds, weight the sand and pea shingle, mix it, transfer to barrow, transfer it to a bucket, transfer it to a mould, press it in by hand, level, place the steel, wire the steel to suspend it in the mould, vibrate it, cover with other layer, smooth, vibrate again etc.
It seemed to go ok. The first bath we made was too runny, so we mixed it with a more dry mix but for some reason that one had a lot more water coming off the top of it. Getting the water right seemed key, hopefully they will turn out ok! I'm leaving them for 2 weeks before attempting to remove them from the moulds.
Had to go to Aldi to get 15 carrier bags so we could weigh out the cement, charcoal pigment and fibres!
Moulds ready to go
Water reducer and liquid black pigment measured out in bathes
First layer of concrete laid
First one done
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