Concrete Pumps

[crimpbiscuit]

Hello Folks

Having worked in the industry for over 7 years, mostly using shotcrete in the climbing wall industry. which I have found almost impossible to sculpt.I have now started numerous projects which are more detailed using plaster/cement mix, and the help of a concrete pump(the projets have been well over 250 sq m)which may be small for some of you people.

I am now in the process of setting up on my own and would love to get in touch with people who have used concrete pumps, As I need to know these machines inside and out!

Also on smaller projects what is the usual surface area coverage when hand redering the mix instead of spraying. (incase i break the machine)

I dont suppose anybody has any books going cheap which may be of help...as I actually feel like a newbie already. This is a subject i am passionate about, and even after 7 years, I feel ive only scratched the surface.

love it!

[Jeff Tobler]

Use the shotcrete to shape and a plaster pump for texture.

A 4000 psi pump mix shapes nicely.

You can texture larger areas by hand than you would expect. One guy mixing and toting the mud, another throwing it up, and yourself shaping and texturing.

Also look into finding someone with a shotcrete pump and get a daily rate. ( Here in the U.S. Southeast about $500.00). If you are pumping/ spraying a few times a week, all year long its nice to have one, otherwise subbing it out is much easier.

The training materials area in the upper right corner of this website will have videos showing various  techniques.

Message me with any other specific questions you might have, and I will be happy to share any knowledge I have gained.

Wish you a world of success.

[crimpbiscuit]

Great Stuff Jeff Thanks very much for the reply.

 

Its all going to be purely plaster pump all, 200 sq metres! I bet you can spray that in your sleep!the work I am used to using the shotcrete with  comes with a compressor the size of a small Car! sprayed at quite a force onto a wire reinforced polystyrene shape - this stuff needed to be hard as possible, as people were pulling and climbing all over them, Il get round to putting pictures up soon if your interested.

 

I am going to be using a putzmeister mp-25, not sure if your familiar? but all the different types of this machine  seem quite similar...and it is pretty much going to be me on my own with a couple of guys helping out. I will be spraying and carving!...

 

Just looking at some of your pictures, has much of your work involved working off site in your workshop building up the shapes? then transferring them to site to put together?

 

Cheers Chris

[Peter Taw]

hi 

Ive also been building climbing walls and migrated to rocks although I do still make walls. I use 3 sizes of pump shotcrete straight out of the truck for volume then I have a putzmeister sp11 for finer layers finally i use a hand held rendering gun to finish

have a look at my website artificialrock.co.nz and starholds.co.nz

any questions id be glad to help

peter

[crimpbiscuit]

hi pete

Thanks for the reply, that would be a great help!

brilliant website, really inspired me!!!!

how do you find carving shotcrete?would you ever use normal plaster/cement mix from your rendering pump for climbing boulders---- i must admit i did have a climb on the last one!and it held up well!

 

Have you ever used a putzmeister mp-25.....i need to know this machine inside out.and its the only thing they are going to supply me with.

 

cheers chris

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Peter Taw]

thanks  chris

well I don't really carve the shotcrete i have a pic in my mind of what Im trying to do then spray accordingly.i usually just grab a trowel and give some overall edges and cracks before it gets too hard. If I've got time i do as much build up as possible  and then scape off the excess before i finish for the day . 

i usually spray on as much as possible ( if its also structural) and then wait half an hour and spray some more. The pump doesnt like it but i usually pump through a few splashes every 10 min to make sure it dosent get blocked (crucial!) that way I can build up more blocks and bulges without it all falling on the ground . The SP11 is great for a overall coating and controlled volume but you need 2-3 guys who know what they are doing otherwise its a mess.

cant say I know the mp25  If you know anyone who has one try and give them free labour for a day to check it works for you before you purchase

The mortar pump I have does like it a bit wet and its great for certain jobs but to be honest the hand held rendering guns are  pretty good for jobs under 40m2 and are a fraction of the cost.

The key thing i to look for is aggegsate size as theres direct relation of aggregate  size to strength. My sp11 only goes to 7mm and that snot enough for structural strength but great for a second coat.  I do shotceting in the building industry and the sp11 is good for a fine finish like walls and swimming pools,. If possible make sure you can pump/spray up to 13mm then you can use the machine for structural jobs not just faux rock, that way you can get more use for your capital outlay.

crimpbiscuit said:

hi pete

Thanks for the reply, that would be a great help!

brilliant website, really inspired me!!!!

how do you find carving shotcrete?would you ever use normal plaster/cement mix from your rendering pump for climbing boulders---- i must admit i did have a climb on the last one!and it held up well!

 

Have you ever used a putzmeister mp-25.....i need to know this machine inside out.and its the only thing they are going to supply me with.

 

cheers chris