How to work out the width to leave between edgings

[ringi]

I am going to be laying a block paving path, the blocks will run in rows along the length of the path. Say we decide to have 5 blocks (plus the edging) of 160mm width each, how much space they will take up, I know the answer is not 800mm as they are not make perfectly so there will be a small gap between them.

Any hint to how to set out the edging so the block fits exactly – I am thinking along the lines of making a wooden former I can insert between the edging while setting them, as well as using the standard strings.

[Tony McC]

Put the 5 blocks in and measure it. Best to do a set of 5 at one end, a set of 5 in the middle, and then a final set of 5 at the end, and use that as a guide.

[rab1]

Simple, easy and affective. thats why he is the boss.

[ringi]

Put the 5 blocks in and measure it. Best to do a set of 5 at one end, a set of 5 in the middle, and then a final set of 5 at the end, and use that as a guide.

And I was thinking of some maths including if the out of tolerance blocks fitted a normal distribution….
How tightly should I fit the block together, so as to allow enough space for them to vibrate down?
Am I right to assume that the correct spacing is what I get by pushing the block together without using any sort of “vice� to hold them tightly?

(Sorry for this daft question, but the book assume the blocks are being cut to fit the gap, not the gap made to fit the blocks)

[Tony McC]

Hand tight.