Tarmacing - How to compact tarmac

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Laura Coates
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Location: England

Post: # 22938Post Laura Coates

I have a 25 square meter drive way entrance to tarmac. Will I be able to compact this with just a heavy duty bomag plate compactor, or will I need a mini roller?
Laura
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IanMelb
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Post: # 22939Post IanMelb

I compacted my 25 sq m workshop base with a plate compactor so it can be done ...

:)

EDIT - please ignore this I've been a bit rubbish at reading the question <sigh>
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matt h
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Post: # 22943Post matt h

advise mini roller as far quicker and better compaction. After all time is money!
general builder, maintenance engineer, gas and plumbing installations, extensions etc
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Dave_L
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Post: # 22944Post Dave_L

You want it to look good? What material are you using?

Roller all the way.
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IanMelb
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Post: # 22945Post IanMelb

IanMelb wrote:I compacted my 25 sq m workshop base with a plate compactor so it can be done ...
... but I'd listen to what the professionals suggest
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Dave_L
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Post: # 22979Post Dave_L

Ian - it is possible to compact 25m2 of blacktop with a plate and achieve satisfactory results - aslong as the material is nice and hot - but you won't beat the results of a well *driven* roller.
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Dave_L
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Post: # 22981Post Dave_L

PS ~ Make sure you use plenty of water, splashed onto the 'mac otherwise it'll stick to the plate and ruin the whole job. Best have an assistant do this for you while you concentrate on getting it down. Avoid sharp turns too.
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Laura Coates
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Joined: Mon Oct 08, 2007 9:33 pm
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Post: # 22985Post Laura Coates

Thanks guys thats great...im going to go for the roller, better to be safe than sorry!
Laura
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IanMelb
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Post: # 22988Post IanMelb

Dave_L wrote:Ian - it is possible to compact 25m2 of blacktop with a plate and achieve satisfactory results - aslong as the material is nice and hot - but you won't beat the results of a well *driven* roller.
I don't know why, but I had sub base in my head not tarmac!

I blame it on the start of the new term and all the students inflicting their 'lack of reading things properly' on me :(
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Dave_L
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Post: # 22989Post Dave_L

Laura Coates wrote:Thanks guys thats great...im going to go for the roller, better to be safe than sorry!
Now don't leave any roller lines in the tarmac!

Make sure you get the laying right - as you only have one chance. Topping it up after the event is a no-no.
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Tony McC
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Post: # 23007Post Tony McC

Where is this 25m² of mac coming from?

If it's that "crap-in-a-sack" stuff sold by the DIY sheds, there's no real need to compact it as you'll be sick and fed up of it moving when you run a child's bike over it, and after a week, you'll be wanting to rip it up and use summat proper!
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