Masonry

Spent the afternoon comparing our local sidewalks and finally get why the 1930s stuff holds up

I finally took a close look at the sidewalk sections near my grandmother's place because the difference in quality was...

5 comments posted 2mos

posted by MakerStone_1974

5 comments posted 2mos posted by MakerStone_1974

Just finished my first big board-formed retaining wall — a few observations

I finally wrapped up the forming for my latest project on a sloped lot and honestly, it was a massive learning curve. I...

5 comments posted 2mos

posted by CrestCedar_1959

5 comments posted 2mos posted by CrestCedar_1959

Thoughts on pushing through vs. stopping when the truck starts acting up?

I was out on a residential drive yesterday and about halfway thru the second load, the mixer started making this nasty...

6 comments posted 2mos

posted by ridge_nomad

6 comments posted 2mos posted by ridge_nomad

Finally figured out why everyone is talking about the Yaris vibration

I finally got around to using that Yaris portable drum for the new footings in the backyard, and I have to say, the rum...

6 comments posted 2mos

posted by raven_spark_1968

6 comments posted 2mos posted by raven_spark_1968

Thoughts on the 'work hard, play hard' culture vs staying sharp on the job?

I’ve been on a few diffrent crews lately, and I’ve noticed a pretty massive divide in how guys handle the physical toll...

5 comments posted 2mos

posted by IronWalker61

5 comments posted 2mos posted by IronWalker61

Is a crew of three finishers and one laborer enough for a big patio pour?

My contractor just finished up a new broom-finish patio and a set of stairs coming off my back sliding door, but I’m a...

4 comments posted 2mos

posted by CopperRay_198893

4 comments posted 2mos posted by CopperRay_198893

Tips for cantilevered pond entries that nobody talks about

Building cantilevered stairs over a pond or a shallow pool is one of those projects that looks incredible but requires...

4 comments posted 2mos

posted by frost_maker_1957

4 comments posted 2mos posted by frost_maker_1957

Thoughts on providing a full lunch vs. just snacks?

I've got a crew coming out next week to redo an aggregate walkway that didn't hold up well. Since they're doing the who...

6 comments posted 2mos

posted by Cal_Copper

6 comments posted 2mos posted by Cal_Copper

Finally figured out the sound check for calling my slump before hitting the brake

I used to hate that moment when the finisher yells up asking what I'm at before I've even touched the lever. ussually,...

4 comments posted 3mos

posted by RidgeCrest709

4 comments posted 3mos posted by RidgeCrest709

How do I handle the control joints on this T-shaped section?

I just finished up a new T-shaped section tucked between some older slabs, and now that the broom finish is set, I'm se...

4 comments posted 3mos

posted by arrow_walker_1952

4 comments posted 3mos posted by arrow_walker_1952

Is there a specific name for those power trowel attachments for hand grinders?

I've been looking for a way to stop doing so much manual labor on small decorative projects like benches and countertop...

4 comments posted 3mos

posted by forge_nomad_1964

4 comments posted 3mos posted by forge_nomad_1964

Thoughts on pre-setting J-bolts vs wet-setting when pouring solo?

Got a 4-foot wall pour scheduled for tomorrow and I'm basially flying solo on this one. I picked up some of those plast...

6 comments posted 3mos

posted by KeeperIron

6 comments posted 3mos posted by KeeperIron

Why do concrete drivers risk their jobs by adding water en route?

I’ve been seeing this happen more often lately and it just doesn't sit right with me. A truck pulls up with a slump tha...

5 comments posted 3mos

posted by BuilderTorque

5 comments posted 3mos posted by BuilderTorque

Should I be worried about wavy control joints on a new slab?

Me and my brother just finished pouring a slab for my mom's shed and I'm worried we waited too long to start the finish...

5 comments posted 3mos

posted by ArrowRay52

5 comments posted 3mos posted by ArrowRay52

How do I clean this brown gunk off my forms before the next job?

We finally got the new dual-axle trailer organized with the blue bins we installed for the hardware, and it feels great...

4 comments posted 3mos

posted by PikeBuilder_1954

4 comments posted 3mos posted by PikeBuilder_1954