Clarification on bedding for flags - Flag bedding

[charlieboy]

Glad I've finally found a site that talks sense...

Just starting on first 22 square metre patio with stone riven flags of various thickness and want to be clear on advised bedding; stone is probably indian, mint fossil sandstone.

Having seen bedding recommendations elsewhere for just sharp sand, sharp sand plus full wet mortar bed etc etc can I be clear that your recommendation is semi-compacted sharp sand and butter/point with mortar pointing as I go.

Given that I have a pretty solid base (dug down to hard compacted chalk) would I also need to use 10:1 sharp sand : cement or will sharp sand suffice? (my issue is mixing that large an amount of sharp sand and cement!)

Thanks for your advice.

[charlieboy]

still seeking help (boy do I need it)

further to my question about bedding flags of varying thickness -

do I lay out my sand for the whole area and then rough up a bit for the next flag...

or do a bit at a time, large enought for the flag I am currently laying? ???

[rms]

8 to 1 sharp sand / cement mix (quite moist) for the bed, working on a small area at one time would probably be a safe bet if you are new to the world of paving.

[Tony McC]

I prefer 10:1 grit sand with cement, mixed as semi-dry with no added water. however, many DIYers find that using a moist mix (ie, just enough added water to bind the sand and cement together) is more forgiving and makes it easier for them.

Mix a couple of barrowlaods at a time and use that up before mixing any more.

[charlieboy]

Thanks to everyone for their help here and by private message.

Using the semi-dry route do I need to tread down the base layer of sand : cement before laying each flag, or will the battering (sorry, tamping down) with the maul do that?

These are probably very novice questions, but there we are. ???

[Tony McC]

You need the bedding to be loose so that the flags can be hammered down to the required level.

[charlieboy]

Thanks, started the laying having realised that the base needs to be loose, and apart from the bloody rain interruptions things are going well.

Many thanks to all on this forum and the site for all advice