wattmatters
Solar Wizard
It that much cheaper than a mini cement truck delivery? Or would that be less than a minimum delivery amount?
I know nothing of these things, just curious.
I know nothing of these things, just curious.
My build thread
- Thread starter timselectric
- Start date
timselectric
If I can do it, you can do it.
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Minimum charge and remote location, made it cost prohibitive.
The savings actually bought me that mixer.
Edit: forgot to say that it was a Sunday.
Weather wouldn't cooperate during the week.
Last edited:
littleharbor2
Solar Addict
I've done well over a yard that way. Still easy. Of course it's a 2 person operation, but fast
Subdood
Photon Wrangler
Before I built my ground mount, I calculated that I needed 20 50lb bags of Quikrete. I had to dig ten holes about 20-24in deep, about 10in in diameter to accommodate 4x4 posts. I put about 1-2in of gravel in the bottom of the holes to assist drainage. I assumed I'd run out, but to my surprise I used right at 20 bags.
I had the bags on the truck bed, slid them over to the edge of the tailgate, slit them open, and dumped it into a wheelbarrow. Then I mixed it with enough water with a hoe to get it to that sticky, but slightly fluid oatmeal consistency. Then I'd lug it down to the work site and pour it in. Took me most of one day just to set the back 5 posts.
I did the front posts a couple months later. Since I did this in winter I had to wait until it was warm enough so it wouldn't freeze overnight after the pour, and also wait until any water would drain out of the hole.
I called a local cement delivery company, and their minimum delivery would be 2 yards, I only needed about a half yard, plus there was a $100 fuel surcharge, and another $100 fee because of the small delivery amount. I think my total would've been around $500 altogether, I did it for about $100 of Quikrete.
I had the bags on the truck bed, slid them over to the edge of the tailgate, slit them open, and dumped it into a wheelbarrow. Then I mixed it with enough water with a hoe to get it to that sticky, but slightly fluid oatmeal consistency. Then I'd lug it down to the work site and pour it in. Took me most of one day just to set the back 5 posts.
I did the front posts a couple months later. Since I did this in winter I had to wait until it was warm enough so it wouldn't freeze overnight after the pour, and also wait until any water would drain out of the hole.
I called a local cement delivery company, and their minimum delivery would be 2 yards, I only needed about a half yard, plus there was a $100 fuel surcharge, and another $100 fee because of the small delivery amount. I think my total would've been around $500 altogether, I did it for about $100 of Quikrete.
robbob2112
Doing more research, mosty harmless
Last time I needed this sort of thing done I paid the local kid (18) to run the wheelbarrow and do all the heavy lifting. We agreed on $20 an hour and he was happy to have it. I did give him some extra for saving my back. Was worth every penny.
Subdood
Photon Wrangler
Thankfully it was downhill to the site, so that part was easy, and then push the empty barrow back up the hill. I usually mixed in about two bags for each load, so I had about 100lb in it. I was verrry careful pushing it down the hill, didn't want a big "accident" in the middle of the yard.
Curious as to what consistency you and Tim used for your mix. I've read it should be slightly gooey, but just barely liquid enough to pour, so that's what I aimed for.
timselectric
If I can do it, you can do it.
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The mixer made all of the difference.
I just backed the trailer up to it.
Picked the bags up and dumped them in.
Let it mix, and dumped it straight into the form.
Next time, there will be a table on the tailgate. To support the bag as I dump it in.
I just backed the trailer up to it.
Picked the bags up and dumped them in.
Let it mix, and dumped it straight into the form.
Next time, there will be a table on the tailgate. To support the bag as I dump it in.
timselectric
If I can do it, you can do it.
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This was at about a #2 slump. So that it would set up enough, in time to remove the form and finish it before going home.
littleharbor2
Solar Addict
I used a gallon of water per 60 lb. sack to make it pourable. I have actually heard of people dumping it, dry into the post holes and wetting it down. Supposedly it works. I wouldn't recommend that method.
timselectric
If I can do it, you can do it.
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This is how I do all posts.
I actually dug one up a few years ago. And you couldn't tell anything different from mixing before pouring.
Subdood
Photon Wrangler
Yeah I've heard of dry setting quikrete, but I'd never try that. It might work, but it seems like it'd be way too inconsistent.
For a slab, no way, but for a post, it works perfectly.
robbob2112
Doing more research, mosty harmless
I always used to do that when I lived in Texas ... just dump the dry quickcrete into the hole and water it for a few days, worked fine.
Tried that when I moved to Colorado for a mailbox post - a month later it was still dry insde except for the top and sides.
timselectric
If I can do it, you can do it.
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I guess, If the soil is very dry. I could see it pulling all of the water away.
Subdood
Photon Wrangler
We have a very high water table here, so a dry set might be okay. But, my OCD wouldn't let me do it, tho. Lulz.
robbob2112
Doing more research, mosty harmless
Bone dry decomposed granite.... the only way my wife got a garden was by me bringing in 30+ truckloads of aged horse manuer
We live at 9144ft and high humidity is about 40%, is about 20% all winter.
littleharbor2
Solar Addict
That's about as dry as a popcorn fart.
Subdood
Photon Wrangler
Tim, did you get your new cells into your bank yet? Where are you at KWh wise now?
sunshine_eggo
Happy Breffast!
Subdood
Photon Wrangler
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