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Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 6:10 pm
by Andy B
I want to build a small patio area using pine railway sleepers. Do the sleepers need to be laid on some sort of mortar bed or could they be laid on sand on top of a compacted hardcore base? Also, if they were laid on sand would they need to be fixed together in some way to stop them moving apart or would their weight be enough to keep them in place?
Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 6:50 pm
by GB_Groundworks
use threaded rod to hold them together, drill through them all in the same spot then feed the threaded rod through cut to length, washers on nut and tighten.
theres a great site with loads of examples let me find it, i've been and got his new french oak sleepers a few times
http://www.railwaysleeper.com/
there's 100's of previous projects on there, he's to sleepers what Tony is to paving
Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 7:07 pm
by dig dug dan
Threaded rod? Sorry giles, but that method went out ages ago
What you need are Timberloks. Available in various lengths. just zip them in using a cordless drill
Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 7:11 pm
by GB_Groundworks
haha
tried the timberloks in the oak ones we had waste of time, even driving them in with hilti's etc pre drilled etc and they are ridiculously expensive
i stand by the best way to join a large number of them together and get them straight and flush is to drill and threaded rod them.
the french oak was like steel, but i had no joy with the timberlocks, i tried them as mentioned below by the guy i got them off. but found the threaded rod to be better way to guarentee a good fixing. we sheared a few of the timberlocks off using a hilti sds and like i said we pre drilled and lubed up the threads with silicone grease.
http://www.railwaysleeper.com/Timberl....ers.htm
Edited By GB_Groundworks on 1279822512
Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 7:22 pm
by dig dug dan
french oak i guess is a problem. i use a corded sds(no hammer) and put chain oil on them.
i see your point though. 
Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 10:45 pm
by Dave_L
Should sleepers and patios go together really??
Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 10:56 pm
by michaelthegardener
i was thinking that ??? wont it look a little odd just like a big old lump of wood
Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 11:16 pm
by GB_Groundworks
cant find the one i;m looking for yet but its different but not unappealing.
http://www.railwaysleeper.com/Dave%20....ers.htm
Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 11:23 pm
by michaelthegardener
i like that
Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 11:32 pm
by lutonlagerlout
its possible,but in the wet country we live in i think it would be a fail
LLL
Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2010 12:14 am
by GB_Groundworks
i hear there was trouble in your neck of the woods today Tony,
theres a really nice one on that site in african azobe sleepers laid in a large oval, all planed and lights sunk in looks amazing deep red wood, but i cant find it on that page to many to look at. real contemporary finish.
Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2010 5:21 am
by Dave_L
Looks lovely new but in 6 yrs or less it will look awful.
Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2010 6:56 am
by mickg
Posted: Fri Jul 23, 2010 8:09 am
by GB_Groundworks
No Mick, saw that one it was a large deck laid really well togthere smoother than that, I'll find it when I get some time.
Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2010 3:52 pm
by Andy B
Thanks for all the replies. On the weathering question, do I need to make any special provision for drainage underneath? I was thinking of just a layer of sand over the sub base, but will this do the job?