What are /r/Concrete's favorite Products & Services?

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I have found that whacking on the outside of the form with her dildo works ok but I get better results vibrating the outside of the forms with her personal therapeutic massager.

It is a tiny enough crack that I would not be concerned. You can get a crack monitor to put on it to keep an eye on things and if keeps getting larger then that would be cause for concern.

The other responses are mostly guesses. ACI 347 is the only way to know for sure.

I have been experimenting quite a bit. My goal is to be able to come up with my own recipes for specific needs. May companies are manufacturing and selling fantastic custom mixes, but I want to be able to use DIY mixes using only easily available ingredients.

Are you thinking about casting upside down in a form, or a pour in place?

Are you planning any exposed aggregate with a grinding/polishing operation before installation?

Yes. I think that 1.5 inches can work fine. I think that 1.25 inches can be made to work.

Other people have said that sharp sand is better and I understand that more surface area is better. I have had no issues with the bags of play sand found at the box stores.

For plasticizer, CTX Flow Control works great for any cement and you can get that at Home Depot. For bulk you can get this in a 1 lb size: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FT6LQIY?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

For the plasticizer, CTX Flow Control works great for any cement and you can get that at Home Depot. For bulk you can get this in a 1 lb size: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FT6LQIY?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

For the liquid acrylic I think that the box stores have an option on shelf. The C-21 that I got might be regional only.

For my DIY projects, I use RapidSet Flow Control right off the shelf at Home Depot. It is the only plasticizer that I find with easy retail access.

Pros have a lot more available to them. The high-tech stuff comes as either power or liquid and most are based around polycarboxylate ether and ingredients to hold it in powder or liquid form. Polycarboxylate ether is the gold-standard high-end modern plasticizer (water reducer). These are superplasticizers.

Before polycarboxylate ether came along most were based on formaldehyde compounds. Today these are considered "medium" plasticizers.

I use RapidSet Fow Control because it is easy to find. I have tried to dig in to learn exactly what it is. I have not seen an "ingredients" list published by the manufacturer, but a data sheet that I found did mention formaldehyde. I suspect that it is a formaldehyde-based plasticizer. I have used it with RapidSet products, and I have used it with my own mixes (Portland, sand, aggregate, water). It works great.

The next one that I plan to test with is this:
https://www.amazon.com/Concrete-Additive-Water-Reducer-Plasticizer/dp/B00FEQ7PVC

TLDR:
RapidSet Flow Control will work with any concrete.
I can't wait to try a polycarboxylate ether superplasticizer.

I used 4-inch diamond cup wheel to cut it down into the stone: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZGC3VP5?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

https://www.amazon.com/Speedy-Clean-Concrete-Dissolver/dp/B00HJDJM96/ref=mp_s_a_1_8?adgrpid=55612789146&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjpCAw_SH-AIV0xatBh0esQ0qEAAYASAAEgLkFPD_BwE&hvadid=274732399084&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=1027744&hvnetw=g&hvq.... I have used that. Worked well, I wouldn’t use Muriatic Acid

Area: New England

Current status: Pitting, painted Concrete (not necessarily failing structurally or crumbling apart)

I recently purchased a house and I'm working on some curb appeal.

What materials would be ideal to skim over this concrete (with a darker concrete look), and stamp it with a nice flagstone or slate texturing? I am very much open to suggestions and have all the time in the world to get the job done properly. I don't mind using the back door for a while.

Stamp roller I've been interested in: Here

I was also going to use the stamp to add texture to a walkway I was going to create using this mold after removing the asphalt walkway in front of it.

After going through several initially in my apprenticeship, I've been using this one for quite a while now. Bought it in bulk even.

https://www.amazon.com/MARSHALLTOWN-Premier-Line-145-Magnesium/dp/B00002N5PO?pd_rd_w=3fCDN&pf_rd_p=16a720fa-f274-4149-a7dd-4f72d5fcb36e&pf_rd_r=RM5AA85FK06KRQ243ZS5&pd_rd_r=78ec0d6f-4e33-470a-bdde-b248530bf243&pd_rd_wg=XPfNT&pd...

This is what I used and it seems to be working well - Siloxa-Tek 8500 Ultra Concentrate. Applied with a sprayer and then rolled in.

do you think ghis would work ? Natural Sienna Mineral Pigment – Pigments for Concrete, Clay, Lime, Masonry and Natural Paint Products ((150 ML | 5 OZ)) https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B076YMBJ4N/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_N0FQGRAWSZTT9T4AVCK2

JobSite The Original Boot Scrubber - All Weather Industrial Shoe Cleaner & Scraper Brush https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002GXE8RA/

I use one of these and spray it off when I’m done, tapconned into my porch slab

I have a tub of shark grip sealer additive, but it seems to be hard to find in Canada. Here’s an alternative on Amazon that may work the same.

It topped out at 77F yesterday (outside of Charleston, SC). We haven't had any rain either, however it has been very humid. The bags seem dry, can't detect any moisture. Here's the weather history - https://www.wunderground.com/history/weekly/us/sc/moncks-corner/KCHS

Anothera 20"x20"x1.8" Plus Size Walk Maker Reusable Concrete Path Maker Molds Stepping Stone Paver Lawn Patio Yard Garden DIY Walkway Pavement Paving Moulds (8-Grid) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08SLMT9BY/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_0DRCWR8M5A0ZX80WDJTC?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Get a used mavic 2 pro from ebay or FB marketplace and this: Hanatora Dual Drop Version Payload Airdrop Release Dropping Device for DJI Mavic 2 Pro/Zoom Drone,Air Drop Clip Delivery Transport Dropper System,Fishing Bait Hook https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NPWSFL8/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_JRR40JQR6AB9SAT5BMXE?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Hahahaha

I would suggest ProProfs Project. Since you need to accommodate 50 users, I think you can start with their Solopreneur plan that allows you to create UNLIMITED users. All beginner level functions are intact, whether it’s about creating new projects, tasks or getting a bird’s eye view of all your projects.

What I personally liked the most about this PM software is that it also allows us to generate invoices for our clients in two-clicks. You can be rest assured that all your team members collaborate effectively and are always on the same page. Highly recommended for companies just getting started with Project Management.

I would suggest ProProfs Project . Since you need to accommodate 50 users, I think you can start with their Solopreneur plan that allows you to create UNLIMITED users. All beginner level functions are intact, whether it’s about creating new projects, tasks or getting a bird’s eye view of all your projects. What I personally liked the most about this PM software is that it also allows us to generate invoices for our clients in two-clicks. You can be rest assured that all your team members collaborate effectively and are always on the same page. Highly recommended for companies just getting started with Project Management.

Concrete, Mini Format https://www.amazon.com/dp/0714875155/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_NY3XYJ0VG83HV81B5WWP?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Concrete coffee table book

Concrete Planet: The Strange and Fascinating Story of the World's Most Common Man-Made Material https://www.amazon.com/dp/1616144815/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_MBQPJ4VDWT1G1YFX8XKA

A nice book about the history of concrete.

I have these for my laminate. Not that brand I think I paid double that but they are lovely. Office Chair Caster Wheels - 3" Rollerblade Rubber Replacement Chair Casters - Best Protection for Your Hardwood Floors No More Chair Mat Needed - Universal Fit,Smooth & Silent https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07T82VCBB/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_Y2YWZ2ARJ375BAZHHPHQ?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

https://smile.amazon.com/IVY-Classic-10348-12-Inch-Premium/dp/B0050PUOSS/

$20 on Amazon, if your drill can fit a 1/2" shank then this will eventually drill a nice clean hole through the wall. It is going to take forever since a hammer drill is the correct tool for the job, but this will work if you are careful. Lots of pecking, and waiting to let the drill bit stay cool. Don't let it overheat and get too dull.

That really is as cheap as it gets man. I know you are looking to hear that it can be done with something you already have in the garage but concrete is tough to cut through.

Great to hear, most definitely get steel toes.. Idk how many times I’d be toeless if it weren’t for them, don’t go shopping for the nicest pair though because the slurry will dry them out, I get 6 months out of my Carolinas and they are everything I need for about $100, check with employer to see if they have a discount w a local shoe store, definitely invest the $60 for overboots Ranger 15" Rubber Supersized Men's Overboots, Black (T369) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000WCQTMO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_3YTX0DJFYV5JGQR2MT0X (these are the best) and look on the Magid website for trex trx540 cut level 5 impact gloves, once again I wouldn’t have fingers if it weren’t for them https://www.magidglove.com/magid-t-rex-flex-series-trx540-impact-gloves-cut-level-a5-trx540xspp lastly always wear your hearing and eye protection and you’ll be golden for a happy safe life of concrete cutting

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0870311670/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_ZSi2Fb8B4EFY9

Had to buy this one for school, if I recall it seemed to be a good intro for field install and general reference to concrete install.

Home Depot or Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Fritz-Pak-Superplasticizer-Workability-Plasticizer-Countertops/dp/B01FV6K91W/ref=asc_df_B01FV6K91W/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=198072898251&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1874749600821831026&hvpone=&am...

Or find a local Ready Mix supplier with a lab. Bring some doughnuts or something they will hook you up with a small amount.

<strong>Amazon</strong>

Can i just get some normal concrete from a big box store and mix in glass fibers?

Im considering this for the concrete: https://www.lowes.com/pd/QUIKRETE-ProFinish-Crack-Resistant-80-lb-High-Strength-Concrete-Mix/3026899 and https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CODWAE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1 for my fibers

So it sounds like a good first step would be to start with the bigger hole and the missing edges and use Planitop X to fill close to the top then Ardex CD on top to smooth it out.

Unfortunately it doesn't look like I can get either of those anywhere near where I live (I'm in Canada in a fairly small city). Are there other products that are similar? The Home Depot near me seems to only have Quickrete products.

If I rip out and re-pour the concrete around the firepit, what would need to be done differently to prevent it from cracking again?

Thanks for all of the info!

Edit: found Planitop X on amazon.ca, 10 lb bag for around $33, so I can definitely order that if it's the best product for the job.