New limestone paving - Advice please

[blue70]

I am about to lay 41m2 approx of Midnight Limestone paving from Global Stone.

I have a raised patio that is roughly rectangular in shape. I have removed the original 450*450 concrete slabs which were laid on a wet mortar bed which is on top of a concrete slab. The old surface is nice and stable and there have not been any issues with the previous paving which was laid by the previous occupier 8 years ago.

As the limestone is uncalibrated I was going to lay on a dry mix (10:1) and was then going to point with Romex. The new patio level will still be just over 150mm below the DPC.

I have some questions and would really appreciate some advice-

1. Obviously the dry mix is going to be thicker in some places than others but what is the minimum depth.
2. As the limestone is black (ish) which shade of Romex would be best, I'm guessing either the light or the medium so there is a contrast but the colour samples on the website are so small it's impossible to decide.
3. Do I need a mixer for a dry mix or is it easy enough to mix by hand.

I can't think of anything else at the moment but I'm sure more questions will crop up.
Thanks in advance for your help.

[msh paving]

Dont even think of using a dry mix, wont last 5 mins and you will get rockers, you need a moist to wet mix 5/1 sand cement , wet so it holds a nice ball in your hand if you pick some up,50mm is mininium any more wont hurt, the pointing colour is more a personal choice than anything MSH

[blue70]

MSH thanks for your post but I'm a little confused because my understanding of the 'Standard Bedding Mortars' section of this site lists a semi dry mix of 10:1 (I missed off the semi in my post ) as being suitable for 'Light use, patios'.

Are you saying that a 'Moist Mix' 8:1 with some water is better for stability reasons?

Thanks

[msh paving]

moist mix 5/1 better all round to work with, dry mix the slabs wont stick to it . 8/1 is to week MSH

[lutonlagerlout]

^^
as he said
LLL

[Pablo]

I think the 10:1 mix is intended more for butt jointed flags and anything without a mortar joint.