Is postmix any good - Is postmix any good?

[postmanpat]

i need to fix in some concrete fenceposts and was wondering if the bags of postmix are any good as opposed to using balast and dust?

thanks all

[Stuarty]

I only use them for doing small fences ( no more than 900 high ) and only when ive got less than 13 posts to put in. Any fence higher and i use concrete, or anything more than 13 posts ill pick up a 1/3/6 semidry mix from nearest batching plant. Half cube does approx 15 posts, depending on hole size ofcourse.

[Dave_L]

I only use them for doing small fences ( no more than 900 high ) and only when ive got less than 13 posts to put in. Any fence higher and i use concrete, or anything more than 13 posts ill pick up a 1/3/6 semidry mix from nearest batching plant. Half cube does approx 15 posts, depending on hole size ofcourse.

I can only echo that - although most fencing jobs we take on are of the larger size (15 concrete posts +) we always use concrete from our (ever so handy) batching plant.

0.2m3 is the usual minimum delivery, some are as much as 0.5m3 - have you a trailer you could collect it in?



Edited By Dave_L on 1179954116

[dig dug dan]

I think we have a batching plant near us where all the readymix lorries fill up from. Do they supply readymix in dry form then in small quantities? it would be handy!



Edited By dig dug dan on 1180025470

[Stuarty]

All the plants round here only like doing it in half cube measures, but its entirely up to you what slump the mix is at so i suppose you could have it as dry as you like. One thing about collecting it in trailers, your aim must be good! Also it tends to splash onto your motor.

Half cube is just short of a ton in weight i think - im just going on how it feels in barrows and on the trailer while driving heh - but dont quote me on that

[Dave_L]

Concrete plants without a small batch mixer use a lorry to mix your load - 0.5m3 is the min order, whereas the batching plant's min order is 0.2m3

Pain in the arse waiting for a lorry to arrive.

Nothing to do with economies - smaller mixes in a road mixer don't mix well.

0.5m3 is a ton in weight.



Edited By Dave_L on 1180032413

[lutonlagerlout]

i used to go in the plants in luton dan but if you go at the wrong time you can wait for an hour,plus you have to be bang on with your reversing,my mate got .4 on the cab of the tata
all in all handy if you are stuck,but i get the impression they don't like builders coming in
cheers LLL

[Stuarty]

Some of the batching operators aint the easiest to get on with ive found, but once you become a bit of a regular they aint so bad with you. I agree totally about going in at the wrong time, specially if there is a big order on, the trucks get priority.

Thanks for stating what a half cube is in weight Dave. Handy to know so i never overload

[Dave_L]

We are blessed with a great plant in Taunton very handy and good concrete too.

Once you've loaded from the batch mixer, you get used to where to position your truck.

I don't like collecting tarmac - it comes out of those skips rather quickly.....

[postmanpat]

Thanks to those who answered my query as opposed to those who have gone off in their own direction!

[Dave_L]

But it was interesting though! :p

[Tony McC]

Going off at a tangent is absolutely essential for all discussions involving construction jobs. It's how we learn!

[seanandruby]

Dont you still get charged for the other 5.5 that you dont have? if so is it viable, or false economy?

[Dave_L]

Dont you still get charged for the other 5.5 that you dont have? if so is it viable, or false economy?

Eh? You've lost me there Sean!

[seanandruby]

Well, say its a six metre wagon and you only want half a metre, yes? that leaves 5.5metres that could of been sold. so the batching plant charge you a supplement, albeit at a lower rate, thereby making it a false economy, as opposed to knocking it up yerself. hope that's more clearer m8. :O