Thor, or should that be Zeus?

**Clive S** · 08-08-2016

Chaz

Would you mind telling me the mix that you used ie cement, stone, fines and the water content byr weight or volume

**Chaz** · 08-08-2016

Originally Posted by Clive S

Chaz

Would you mind telling me the mix that you used ie cement, stone, fines and the water content byr weight or volume

1/3 rd equal parts of Cement (52.5R), Sand (Sharp Sand, 0-2mm) and Basalt Stone (6-10mm). 20% Water volume based on Cement used (so in this case, 5 litres per 1 bag of 25kg each above).

**Clive S** · 08-08-2016

Originally Posted by Chaz

1/3 rd equal parts of Cement (52.5R), Sand (Sharp Sand, 0-2mm) and Basalt Stone (6-10mm). 20% Water volume based on Cement used (so in this case, 5 litres per 1 bag of 25kg each above).

Thanks for the info are you using any SP (superplasticising) like modified polycarboxylate

**Chaz** · 08-08-2016

Originally Posted by Clive S

Thanks for the info are you using any SP (superplasticising) like modified polycarboxylate

Yep, otherwise it wont even mix properly.

Before SP:-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IeEhFW44F8

After SP:-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KfWcawy7b4

I used too much SP but it worked well. I dont know the make I used, got it from my 'pimp' in Germany but its higher end stuff (at least, that is what he said).

**Clive S** · 08-08-2016

Thanks Yes I have seen them. I am a bit surprised about the amount of cement in the mix it seems massive to me and what I have researched. You can the get SP in the UK though.

Was you're SP powder or liquid? and what quantity to the cement?

Looking forward to see the next bit done.

**Chaz** · 09-08-2016

Originally Posted by Clive S

Thanks Yes I have seen them. I am a bit surprised about the amount of cement in the mix it seems massive to me and what I have researched. You can the get SP in the UK though.

Was you're SP powder or liquid? and what quantity to the cement?

Looking forward to see the next bit done.

Yep, aware that SP is locally available too. In this case I am taking guidance from the person that supplied me with the rails and ballscrews. He works in a facility where they test lubrication and also very experienced across various machine designs. His own personal machines consist of items where they are temperature controlled etc otherwise the machine 'goes out of tolerance'.

In this case the SP was liquid. Ive seen utoob vids where powder is used. As if my 'magic' the dry mix becomes liquid. Amazing stuff this. I used 50ml / kg of cement although I believe 25ml would have been acceptable too. So 1.25litres per 25kg of cement (or one mix for me in my mixer).

**Chaz** · 23-08-2016

Have had further progress, will upload pics later. Putty cast, rails mounted with nuts epoxied in. Started to clean up the parts needed to mount the ballscrew. Hope to have this sorted by this weekend and potentially motor movement on the Y axis this weekend or next latest.

**Tom J** · 27-12-2016

Originally Posted by Chaz

1/3 rd equal parts of Cement (52.5R), Sand (Sharp Sand, 0-2mm) and Basalt Stone (6-10mm). 20% Water volume based on Cement used (so in this case, 5 litres per 1 bag of 25kg each above).

...seems to be a lot of water.
In my work place we add circa 30 litres of water to 750kg of mix (all depends how wet is the sand).
This gives nice mix to form roof tiles. 10% water too much and mix is too wet and have to be dump - happens daily.
My point is to get correct amount of water - mix it well and we shall get strong cement.

**Chaz** · 27-12-2016

Originally Posted by Tom J

...seems to be a lot of water.
In my work place we add circa 30 litres of water to 750kg of mix (all depends how wet is the sand).
This gives nice mix to form roof tiles. 10% water too much and mix is too wet and have to be dump - happens daily.
My point is to get correct amount of water - mix it well and we shall get strong cement.

Really? I was under the impression this was a fairly dry mix. Without the plastisizer it wont even bond.

**Tom J** · 27-12-2016

Originally Posted by Chaz

Really? I was under the impression this was a fairly dry mix. Without the plastisizer it wont even bond.

Should add that the mix goes through bed/slipper which is kind of mold and is compacted by packshaft with fingers - layer of concrete is 12mm thick and travel 1m/s speed.
In your case vibrating plate is a must. Curing process is complex too (4 stages with extra water), retarder is used to slow curing process.
Since I work there, I use min amount of water (just for mix to be not brittle) - for diy concrete job