Tru-Pac, Flex C Ment, SBC's Mix(3000$ to find out) or Urban Craftsmen($159)

[Kyle Nicholson]

Excuse me, but I am a beginner and I'm wondering what the big secret about these mixes. I am trying to find a cost effective way to learn this wonderful trade. I am not trying to take over someones business, just adding  a nice touch to my home. Can I make a mix from materials from Home Depot that compare to those listed above. Any input is appreciated. It just seems that this is such a big secret.

 

[Velimir Drazic]

silica fume can be replaced wit metakaolin (highly reactive metakaolin)

fly ash maybe is not necesery but then you can try add dry polymers (the dry polimer is also and superplasticizer and water reducer-usualy expensive in start but small amount in mix needed- abot 300-600 gr/100 kg cement)... Try to experiment a little

Hope this helps

[Dale Messenger]

 Wow alot of different ideas about this. like Nathan said for cheap inexpensive mix use  2 parts portland to 1 part cement mix with acryll 60 3-1 mixture.   You should be able to use this mix its cheap and works. Its all in what you want like others have stated. Different mixes may preform better than others but the bottom line is the mixes wont carve themselves.   The wont look good unless you can carve it. Thats were you want to spend time and money on this stuff. Practice as much as you can, learn and talk to as many people about this as you can. This is whats important. Learn the techniques and the art of coloring with different methods. Just 2 cents from me

[osiris]

many thanks Velimir ... i like your formula and i will try it... any more contributions are appreciated.... 

[Ryan W.Rall]

Iam having a hard time finding acryl 60 out here in Southern California went to HD ,Lowes ,Ace Hardware,& True Value Hardware  any thoughts or suggestions? 

[Christian Maucieri]

See if you can find an actual Concrete construction supplier that deals specifically with concrete. You can also use a product called Mapei AC, google the Mapei website and it should help you find a distributor. The Mapei AC is competition to the Acryl and will do the same thing.

[Stefan Tschofenig]

How is the mexican clip from nathan called ??

[Nathan Giffin Vertical Artisans]

Stefan Tschofenig said:

How is the mexican clip from nathan called?? Are you referring to the VDO on the web site or the mix design I did in the VDO ??

[John Biles]

white cap will have it.

[Ryan W.Rall]

thanks John I'll check it out :^)

John Biles said:

white cap will have it.

[Ryan W.Rall]

Yes Sir will do , thanks for the info :^)

Christian Maucieri said:

See if you can find an actual Concrete construction supplier that deals specifically with concrete. You can also use a product called Mapei AC, google the Mapei website and it should help you find a distributor. The Mapei AC is competition to the Acryl and will do the same thing.

[Mike Vernelson]

Bagged mortar with  another shovel of Portland cement added will work nice.

[Ryan W.Rall]

Mike , does the mix you just described take off (set up or dry) to quickly ?

Mike Vernelson said:

Bagged mortar with  another shovel of Portland cement added will work nice.