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Posted: Mon Oct 08, 2007 9:43 pm
by Laura Coates
I have a 25 square meter drive way entrance to tarmac. Will I be able to compact this with just a heavy duty bomag plate compactor, or will I need a mini roller?
Posted: Mon Oct 08, 2007 10:21 pm
by IanMelb
I compacted my 25 sq m workshop base with a plate compactor so it can be done ...
EDIT - please ignore this I've been a bit rubbish at reading the question <sigh>
Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2007 12:34 am
by matt h
advise mini roller as far quicker and better compaction. After all time is money!
Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2007 6:33 am
by Dave_L
You want it to look good? What material are you using?
Roller all the way.
Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2007 6:55 am
by IanMelb
IanMelb wrote:I compacted my 25 sq m workshop base with a plate compactor so it can be done ...
... but I'd listen to what the professionals suggest
Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2007 8:18 pm
by Dave_L
Ian - it is possible to compact 25m2 of blacktop with a plate and achieve satisfactory results - aslong as the material is nice and hot - but you won't beat the results of a well *driven* roller.
Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2007 8:20 pm
by Dave_L
PS ~ Make sure you use plenty of water, splashed onto the 'mac otherwise it'll stick to the plate and ruin the whole job. Best have an assistant do this for you while you concentrate on getting it down. Avoid sharp turns too.
Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2007 8:54 pm
by Laura Coates
Thanks guys thats great...im going to go for the roller, better to be safe than sorry!
Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2007 9:36 pm
by IanMelb
Dave_L wrote:Ian - it is possible to compact 25m2 of blacktop with a plate and achieve satisfactory results - aslong as the material is nice and hot - but you won't beat the results of a well *driven* roller.
I don't know why, but I had sub base in my head not tarmac!
I blame it on the start of the new term and all the students inflicting their 'lack of reading things properly' on me 
Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2007 9:43 pm
by Dave_L
Laura Coates wrote:Thanks guys thats great...im going to go for the roller, better to be safe than sorry!
Now don't leave any roller lines in the tarmac!
Make sure you get the laying right - as you only have one chance. Topping it up after the event is a no-no.
Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2007 11:41 pm
by Tony McC
Where is this 25m² of mac coming from?
If it's that "crap-in-a-sack" stuff sold by the DIY sheds, there's no real need to compact it as you'll be sick and fed up of it moving when you run a child's bike over it, and after a week, you'll be wanting to rip it up and use summat proper!