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Posted: Tue May 19, 2009 11:36 am
by hseagle
Do I really need a vibrating plate compactor for a relatively small area of hardcore? I'm preparing the sub base for indian sandtone flags and the existing earth I've excavated is fairly firm - with one or two smaller patches of clay. Can I get away with wacking (whacking?) it with the base of a sledge hammer, jumping up and down on the heels of my boots, or maybe one of those plates on the end of a pole? (no idea what the latter might be called or where you buy them but they can't cost too much). I live a distance from the nearest hire shop so delivery/pickup costs for a mechanical device start adding up and the budget is stretched to the limit already 
Posted: Tue May 19, 2009 1:51 pm
by Rich H
The short answer is yes you can. Do it in layers, though. Perhaps 50mm at a time. Afterwards, you'll wish you spent the money on renting a Wacker. It will be the single cheapest element of the project and can be picked up in an estate or small van.
Posted: Tue May 19, 2009 8:17 pm
by henpecked
TP are doing a wacker or mixer £10 a week
Posted: Tue May 19, 2009 9:16 pm
by hseagle
henpecked wrote:TP are doing a wacker or mixer £10 a week
That would be nice! Got a link? I can only find catalogue prices for 55/week ex vat for the light duty compactor on line (bear in mind I'm not a trade customer if that happens to be a trade deal you are quoting)
Thanks!
Posted: Tue May 19, 2009 10:18 pm
by msh paving
TP will do a deal on hire stuff to just about anyone, MSH 
Posted: Tue May 19, 2009 10:50 pm
by lutonlagerlout
in the 80's we used to smash hardcore up with a sledgehammer to compact it,it was acceptable then
however things have moved on now and its wacker plate or roller ftw!
LLL
Posted: Tue May 19, 2009 11:16 pm
by Bob_A
hseagle wrote:henpecked wrote:TP are doing a wacker or mixer £10 a week
That would be nice! Got a link? I can only find catalogue prices for 55/week ex vat for the light duty compactor on line (bear in mind I'm not a trade customer if that happens to be a trade deal you are quoting)
Thanks!
My local hire shop charges £40.25+vat a week and they are always cheaper than the national companies.
Are you sure it's not £10 a day?
Posted: Tue May 19, 2009 11:26 pm
by Rich H
Brandon and TP both doing small wackers for £10/day at the moment. You only need it for a couple of hours.
Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 7:01 pm
by ben.davies
Rich H wrote:Brandon and TP both doing small wackers for £10/day at the moment. You only need it for a couple of hours.
Is this in store only?
Both websites are listing 33/35 quid a day.
Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 7:23 pm
by msh paving
ring the depot for price, books and web sites are guide only MSH
Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 8:03 pm
by henpecked
This was in the local store inm Coventry, noticed it a couple of weeks ago. It was only a A4 printed notice,so probably in store promotion...give them a ring.....COVENTRY. TRAVIS PERKINS TRADING CO. LTD. LOCKHURST LANE. COVENTRY. WARWICKSHIRE. CV6 5PW. Tel: 024 76686100.
HP