Outdoor Smithy Floor....

W

Will Leavitt

Joined
Jul 28, 2006
Messages
3,953
Well I've been moved from my original smithy, known to some as a driveway, this same person refers to my workshop as a "garage" and my leatherworking area as a "!@$!@#$ kitchen table." :confused:

We built a lean-to structure on the side of my outdoor shop that's still unwired. The packed clay has turned into about 4" of red soup during the last few days of rain. I'm thinking of building a "box" of pressure treated lumber and then pouring 6" of gravel in the box and tamping that down for my smithy floor. I can't get concrete back there without having it pumped (can't afford that.) Any other suggestions?
 
Will,

You might want to consider what they call "Slag". It is crushed stone and sand. Lots of folks use it on their driveway. It packs fairly well over time.

You could have it delivered, then wheel-barrow to your needed location.

Just a thought.

Robert
 
Will, if you are going to pour that gravel put down some plastic to keep the clay from rising up through the gravel and ruining your floor. Good Luck.
 
I have used a bunch of river rock(small) and seemed to do well. Was not slick like I would have thought.
 
The "slag" referred to is called "Crusher Run Gravel", and is a mix of small crushed rock, fines, and rock dust. It packs down and firms up over time like concrete.
Stacy
 
I'll call and see how much that is, I was semi-contemplating pouring a couple bags of sand and quickrete on top of the gravel floor.
 
Will Leavitt said:
I'll call and see how much that is, I was semi-contemplating pouring a couple bags of sand and quickrete on top of the gravel floor.
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That's a not such a bad idea. I have even broadcast dry portland on top of a dirt floor and sprinkled with a hose. It sets up pretty well and gives a stabil surface. It sure beats hauling concrete in a wheel barrow.

Gary
 
Will, the crusher run will work great. Get the smallest size you can, The more fines the better. Forget broadcasting the the dry portland. I tried it and ended up breaking it out.
 
PhotonSD said:
Will, if you are going to pour that gravel put down some plastic to keep the clay from rising up through the gravel and ruining your floor. Good Luck.
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That's an excellent idea.
If you do have a little budget to play with, you can sometimes find some pretty large pavers at your local garden-type store/Menards/Lowes/Home Depot/etc.
Put your plastic down, sand/gravel, and then lay your pavers.
You'll do alright.
 
Thanks for all the advice guys!

I'm thinking of putting plastic drink bottles under the gravel bed, they say it'll last 10000000 years in a landfill right? :p Yeah my father in law already pointed out the need for plastic sheeting.

Thanks again guys!
 
Cant you hire cement/concrete mixers over there? Hire one for a day and buy some sand gravel and cement. Mix together and pour into a dug out plastic lined hole.

Ive done some pretty big spaces with just a cement mixer and a shovel. Takes time but if you put the mixer next to the hole you dont need a wheelbarrow and its not that back breaking.

The mix for concrete is if I remeber right 1 cement, 2 or 3 sand and 5 or 6 gravel with enough water to make it sloppy but not super wet or stiff.

Jamie
 
Yes you can rent those things but the issue becomes trucking the stuff into the back, I have a weight issue because of my septic system.
 
They arnt that heavy, 115lbs max when empty 200lbs when full id say. If you get an extension cord you could get it right next to the hole. Shouldnt be much heavier than having a few big mates standing over the tank.

If you have an issue of getting stuff through the house then the only option for a decent floor would be to carry all the raw materials through and mix it up on a big peice of plywood with a shovel directly next to the hole. Its back breaking, takes ages but is do-able.
 
take and put 2*6 frame 2 inchs of hydrated lime powder water let harden put the rest grade 8 rock its is just 3/4 rock with lime broke up and then just put hydrated lime on top to fill holes of rock wet it gets as hard as concrete. slope it cause it wont soak up water. my entire 80*100 is done like this its great
 
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