Tarmac and wacker plates

DNgroundworks · Wed Nov 11, 2009 9:22 pm

Hi all, just after some tips on laying tarmac and compacting with a wacker, got some paths to do for my girlfriends uncle (on the cheap) how is best to tackle this?

Theres already base down, been down years, would this need a tack coat?

Post: # 43049Post **Dave_L** Wed Nov 11, 2009 9:51 pm

Tack coat required? Yes, otherwise the new surface course will fail to bond to the existing binder - it will move about and become a right mess.

Compacting with a plate? Not ideal but if you do you'll need one with a water system if you only have this for compaction.

DNgroundworks · Thu Nov 12, 2009 2:37 pm

Its not that i dont have a roller its just that its really tight access! Where can "tack coat" be purchased from? - my apologies im a bit of a novice when it comes to tarmac

Amogen · Post: # 43069Post **Amogen** Thu Nov 12, 2009 6:44 pm

i have three quarters of a drum if you want it...

And i aint far from you...

DNgroundworks · Thu Nov 12, 2009 7:08 pm

ye ill have it cheers! does it need heating up? know anyone that knows what there doin that might fancy givin me a lift?

DNgroundworks · Thu Nov 12, 2009 7:09 pm

Itll only take an hour or 2, plus ive no idea on what tarmac to get or ewt!

Post: # 43080Post **Dave_L** Thu Nov 12, 2009 8:54 pm

Is it really worth you doing the job?

Can you get the areas ready and have a local gang into do it?

Buying tarmac ex-works as a punter is expensive........plus do you have the equipment and transport to fetch it?

I'd go for an ordinary 6mm 100/125pen limestone. Nothing fancy needed.

How far away are you from a tar plant?

DNgroundworks · Thu Nov 12, 2009 9:46 pm

The areas ready, just going to clean off with a good jet wash, tack coat and lay it only about 3tonne i think, been to have a look tonite, the guy himself is going to give me a lift as he works for balfour and has a bit of experience with tarmac, thanks for the pointers anyway.

Going to get a mate to bring it in his 7.5 tonne wagon and borrow a small pedestrian roller off him, should be orite i hope!

what does the 100/125pen bit mean?

Big Phil · Post: # 43094Post **Big Phil** Thu Nov 12, 2009 10:59 pm

pen refers to penetration grade bitumen.

the lower the number, the harder the grade. softer grades may be more workable, but won't be as tough as harder grades. most common grades are 40/60, 100/150 & 160/220 - generally 100/150 seems to be a good compromise.

Amogen · Post: # 43174Post **Amogen** Mon Nov 16, 2009 1:08 pm

DNgroundworks wrote:ye ill have it cheers! does it need heating up? know anyone that knows what there doin that might fancy givin me a lift?

I dont know.....

Dig out a drum of tack coat...

You try and give it away for free...

Even offer to drive it half way...

And still get turned down!!!

DNgroundworks · Mon Nov 16, 2009 5:05 pm

I offerd to pay! i am seriously terrible with directions theres no chance of me finding junction 23 on the m62 without a post code!!

Post: # 43199Post **Tony McC** Mon Nov 16, 2009 9:50 pm

How did you cope in the dark days before we all had Sat Nags?

DNgroundworks · Tue Nov 17, 2009 4:33 pm

I wasnt driving then:p

bobbi o · Post: # 43216Post **bobbi o** Tue Nov 17, 2009 5:30 pm

If you've got any black stuff left over,you could go round the estates knocking on doors,like the gypos. :laugh:

DNgroundworks · Tue Nov 17, 2009 5:53 pm

Ha ha funny one that bobbio, im afraid not very original though! why dont you have another go........:laugh: