can you pack pans w/ a metal trowel just a few times or do you really need to give it several good whacks each foot w/ a plastic or wood float?....

what are yor opinions about using a paddle mixer for pan mud, should it be mixed by had/shovel, we use C

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Bradley

Bradley,

I whack it with a wooden float, get it close by making ovals with the float, once I'm satisfied, I do the finishing with the steel finishing trowel.

I mix mud with either a shovel or a hoe. Let me know when you're going to try to mix it with a drill and paddle. I'll wanna be sure to come and watch you do it....and I'll bring a few friends! No bradley..I don't recommend you do that.

Jaz

actually myself and several others i've worked w/ have mixed sand-mix w/ whips on mixers in 5 gallon buckets for 2 years while I've been doing it. not everyone did it that way, though. but we don't fill the bucket all the way, about 2/3 sometimes though. the trick is to put half a bucket of mix in first and add a little water second. If you fill more than 1/2 way usually figure theres a little bit more water at the bottom than on top, If its too deep stop when its almost not dry on top, then its usually good when you dump it and mix it on the pan. But all the companies I've worked for previously want you to do it whatever way is fastest. I was wondering if sand-mix can be air-entrained or not dry correct if whipped in a bucket, because I can get it uniformly damp pretty easily, one foot on the bucket! Maybe the volcano would be faster though, I'll try that tomorrow...

oh, and can you pack it too much? to pack the mud I have an old Terrazzo handheld tamper. I was wondering if that was overkill...it ways probably 7 lbs., its just a little iron pyramid with a bar out the top.

You should mix in a wheel barrow, a mortarbox or I often mix it right on a concrete floor like the garage. Don't worry it won't hurt or stain anything.

Just make a volcano with the hole in the center for the water. Mix with coal shovel. All you need to place it is a few screeds, a wooden float and a finishing trowel, and a level of course.

Jaz

yeah Jaz, that was easier than a mixer, moere relaxing too by the way, Should(can) a poured pan sound hollow even when its not?

Hey bradley,

I used to mix sand mix in the garage or on plywood by hand, then in a pale(like you do) with a mixer, now I use a metal container I bought from the beer store(to keep beer and ice), it's deep, oval shaped with handles and the bottom has silicon. Works great!!!
RLB