Operating tips
When the vibrating screed, made by hand, is completely assembled, you can start working. Before starting operation, install the guides along which the device will move. After that, you can fill in a layer of solution. The thickness should exceed the marks of the guides by several centimeters. That’s all, you can start the tamping process. In this case, do not rush. This is the only way to get an even coverage. If you are new to construction, do not rush to fill large areas yourself. Start with a small area. When you are comfortable with the job, you can pour a lot of concrete.
If the layer settles below the rail during tamping, then the base solution follows. Otherwise, the surface will be uneven.
Vibrating screed for concrete: how to make it yourself
A quality concrete coating has many advantages. First of all, it has a long service life, high strength and increased wear resistance. However, all these advantages are present only in the coating that was made in compliance with the technology. In order for the concrete to be of better quality, it is necessary to compact it very well, then compact it and, of course, level it.
At the moment, a lot of devices have been created, which greatly facilitate construction work. Such devices include a vibrating screed for concrete.
What you need to know to make your own vibrating screed?
Of course, in the manufacture of such a device, desire and enthusiasm alone will not go far. It is necessary to have certain knowledge and skills in the construction field.
In addition, anyone who wants to make a vibrating screed with their own hands should be good at electricians, and also know how to work with a welding machine.
Another important point is compliance with safety regulations. After all, the production of the vibrating screed is carried out on the basis of a three-phase search mechanism. In work, as well as during manufacture, you should carefully handle the device.
The working part of the vibrating screed is best done with a length of 2.5 to 3 meters. Of course, it all depends on the size of the flooded area. But the power of the finished device should NOT be more than 1.5 kW. This indicator is quite enough to tamp and level a layer of concrete, the thickness of which ranges from 15 to 20 centimeters.
What design can be made?
The screed for placing concrete can be prefabricated. This is important if you need to tamp areas of different areas. To do this, you need to measure equal pieces of the profile along the length and cut off their angle grinder. After that, it is worth drilling holes in several places, and then attaching them on both sides to the device as needed. It is better to use corners for fixing.
There is also a frame, double or floating screed. Such a device is perfect for compacting large enough layers of concrete. The process of making a double vibrating screed is no different from assembling a conventional model. In this case, the engine must also be installed in the center of the structure, but using a special mount.
Experts advise to fasten the frame in three places: in the middle and at the ends. It should be noted that the frame vibrating screed can also be prefabricated. It is made from four pieces of profile.
What is a vibrating screed?
This device consists of a frame, which is usually made of high quality steel or aluminum. Another important detail is the vibration unit. It is she who sets the device in motion.
The vibrating screed for placing concrete works thanks to the motor. He is the “heart” of the installation. The motor transmits torque to the vibration unit. This, in turn, sets the metal frame in motion. And this detail acts on concrete. It should be noted that the length of the rail can be from 0.5 to 10 meters.
Completion of assembly
A do-it-yourself vibrating screed is more reliable than a purchased one. However, when making it, it is worth considering some nuances. It is better to place the vibration unit so that it can be more securely and firmly fixed on the profile or handles.
A three-phase wire, which dangles underfoot, usually becomes the main cause of injury. The starter, which is simply necessary for starting the engine, can, of course, be left on the engine. However, it is best to place it on the handle. This will make starting the engine more convenient.
Motor connection
When the frame and handles are ready, you can start installing the engine. This part is best placed in the middle of the profile. This will distribute vibrations evenly over the entire length of the rail. There are several ways to secure the engine. For fixing, it is better to use metal corners.
In the first version, you can install the mounts first on the engine, and then the finished structure Welding, or screw it to the profile.
The second method involves installing corners to a metal beam. In this case, the engine will be the last to land on the structure. To fix the motor to the profile, you can use self-tapping screws or a point quarrel.
Each of these methods is effective. It’s just that not everyone has a quarrel, but a screwdriver can be found in any home.
What tools are needed?
A vibrating screed for concrete makes work much easier. To make it, you will need the following tools:
- Screwdriver.
- Drill.
- A set of drills specifically for metal.
Types of vibrating screed
There is a vibrating screed for concrete, electric and gasoline. The latter version of the installation has more power. However, due to rather harmful emissions into the atmosphere, it is possible to use a gasoline vibrating screed only in the fresh air.
The electrical installation is less powerful. However, it can be used for construction work directly indoors.
How to make your own vibrating screed for compacting concrete
Concrete pavement is one of the most popular and widely used in construction. It is characterized by high wear resistance, strength, long-term operation. Screed, blind area, column floor, as well as many other options for using concrete, suggest a competent approach to pouring technologies. In order for the quality of the coating to be high, you need to have at hand not only good building materials, but also special tools. Therefore, a master who observes the instructions must have a vibrating screed. It will help to compact, compact and level the mortar mass.
Purpose and varieties
A vibrating screed is an equipment used for several operations when pouring concrete:
- Sealing solution;
- Tamping the mixture;
- Surface leveling.
The screed removes remaining air bubbles and water from the concrete. This prevents the formation of cavities inside the hardened concrete, which can subsequently become a prerequisite for the destruction of the structure. Modern tool models allow you to get a perfectly flat finish surface.
Vibrating screeds for compacting concrete are used both on an industrial scale (bridges, flyovers, hydraulic structures) and in individual construction (foundation, floor, blind area). A professional tool is expensive, but for home use it is quite possible to make a simple mechanism with good performance.
Such models are installed on concrete and smoothly pull themselves, while compacting and ramming the layer up to 18 cm in depth. Grip length. from 1.5 to 5 m. Used for freshly laid surfaces. Managed by one specialist, for whom the operation of the device does NOT present any problems.
Working on guides.
productive and efficient, they compact the layer up to 30 cm. The power of the tool allows you to do without deep vibrators. They have a lot of weight, it is this factor that determines the use of guides, thanks to which the rail does not sink into concrete.
Engineering thought is progressing, so new models appear that combine the properties of basic and innovative capabilities. Reversible screed can move Not only forward, but also backward. And sectional (sliding) allows you to capture a width of up to 25 meters.
Any vibrating screed consists of two main parts. a profile and a power plant. The forms of structures are very diverse. Aluminum, magnesium or steel profiles are used. It is possible to use a gasoline or electric engine.
The advantages of vibrating bars with an electric motor:
- Environmental friendliness;
- Indoor work;
- Mobility;
- Ease of use;
- Low price for semi-professional models.
How the device works?
Despite the difference in models, the scheme of action is the same: the torque from the motor is transmitted to the vibrator. The eccentrics create vibrations that are transmitted to the concrete through the frame (profile). The vibrating screed actually consists of two basic components: the frame and the power plant.
The unit diagram is quite simple, so it is often assembled independently. Of course, hand-made devices do not have ideal external data, but they cope with the work of compacting concrete. Given the high for new professional equipment, design can be sacrificed for the sake of real financial savings, which will certainly be there if you make the tool yourself.
DIY assembly
First, you should list the required accessories for the vibration rail. The list includes:
Channel (to create a frame frame)
Electrical engine;
Insulating rubber;
Three-phase cable;
A starter for an electric motor that regulates speed;
To make vibrating screeds, you will need the following tools and equipment:
- Welding machine with a protective mask and gloves;
- Drill, drills for metal;
- Screwdriver.
You can rent a welder or invite a specialist. It will cost more, but there will be a 100% guarantee of high quality seams and fasteners. The durability and operational parameters of the equipment being created depend on how correctly the welding work is performed.
Those who nevertheless decided to make a vibrating screed with their own hands without outside help need certain skills, namely:
- Experience with a welding machine;
- Electrical knowledge;
- General accuracy, ability to follow instructions and read diagrams.
Sometimes the main obstacle for the Amateur Master is his own “creativity”. Instead of following the recommendations correctly, a person wants to make “unique equipment”, but in the end he gets a completely different result. In order for the vibrating screed for the concrete floor screed to turn out the way it should be, it is important to follow all points of the instructions.
The assembly process of an electric rail is carried out on a flat surface (table, workbench) in the following sequence:
Making pens.
2 curved handles are formed from a piece of reinforcement. With the help of a quarrel, they are attached to the profile. You can strengthen the reliability of the connection with self-tapping screws, the handles are insulated with rubber.
Engine mounting.
The motor is placed in the center of the frame. This ensures an even transmission of vibration throughout the frame. The engine is attached to the frame with two corners. Self-tapping screws or a quarrel are used, the sequence is different. The first option assumes that the corners are attached to the motor, after which this structure is mounted on the profile. In the second case, the corners are fixed to the frame, and then the engine is installed on them. The methods are inherently equivalent. The master can do as it suits him.
Vibration mountings.
An important point is the firm fixation of the cable (on the frame or on the handles). The starter is mounted on a motor or on a handle. A gasoline vibrating screed is assembled in the same way. It should be noted that all welding works, if desired, are replaced with bolted connections.
The working part of the vibrating screed for home use is ideally 2.5-3 m.
1.5 kW motor power is sufficient to compact a 20 cm layer of concrete.
Instead of a metal profile, ordinary (3/4) or profile pipes are quite suitable.
The presence of a frequency converter in the design of the rail allows you to optimally select the loads.
Welding the engine to the frame is not recommended, as this will complicate Possible repair work.
When testing assembled equipment, it is not necessary to pour a lot of solution. Experiment in small areas initially. It will be much easier to adapt to the technique.
A layer of concrete is poured 3-4 cm higher from the guideline mark.
Engine noise is harmful to hearing, so earplugs are used. You should also work with gloves.
DIY vibrating screed
For small work, you can use a homemade vibrating screed.
Advice
- Your homemade design will be reliable if you secure all its components with high quality. Bolts Must be screwed tight. The wires must not dangle.
- After you have made your own vibrating screed, test it. A small surface is a good starting point. Try your homemade tool first, otherwise you can ruin the entire screed. Do the work, not rush.
Limitations
There are some drawbacks to the Homemade Vibrating Screed. They are as follows:
- No matter how you sand the board, it will not have the same smooth surface as an aluminum vibrating screed.
- Drill power Not enough to work with a larger board, and therefore work in small sections.
- Disposable vibrating screed, because after the first use, the board will become unusable.
- Can’t adjust speed.
Vibrating screed rental
Professional vibrating screeds cost from 20,000 rubles (electric) and from 40,000 rubles (gasoline). Not everyone can afford it.
Also, many developers do NOT see the point in spending that kind of money, and when screed the floor and foundation, this tool cannot be done without.
Floating
Using the guides, the top layer of concrete is leveled.
Engine power compacts concrete mortar 15 centimeters deep.
Vibrating screed with aluminum profile
It will be more difficult to make do-it-yourself vibrating rails with a metal rail. In addition to money costs, you also need to have technical knowledge.
Instead of a board, in this version an aluminum profile will be used. This design will last you longer. The function of the handle will be performed by a pipe, and, of course, a vibration motor.
DO NOT recommend using a quarrel in this option. For safety reasons, cover the handle of such equipment with insulating material.
Using
It is easy to use.
The electric drill inserts a curved drill into the chuck and connects it to the network, thereby creating the vibration movements of your board.
What is a vibrating screed
The vibrating screed is a rigid structure consisting of a steel rail with a handle, which has a motor with a vibrator. Due to vibration movements, an even compaction of the concrete solution occurs, and the rail itself creates a smooth surface.
Manufacturing
The simplest option is to assemble a vibrating screed from a board, a bar and a drill.
- First, the surface of the board must be sanded, all irregularities must be removed. It is this material that will serve as the basis.
- Next, a drill is attached to the board, about 25 cm wide, about 30 mm thick, with self-tapping screws. The drill should lie along, on one of the sides.
- Also, a meter bar is attached to the board using self-tapping screws.
By design
The tools have differences in design. They differ in technical characteristics, as well as in purpose.
Sectional
They are very enthusiastic, which is ideal for industrial construction. They have a collapsible design, which is convenient for transportation from object to object. Equipped with a powerful engine.
Telescopic
Such devices have sliding rails, which allows leveling a large area at the same time.
Before starting work, the rails are fixed to the required distance, which simplifies the work.
How to make a vibrating screed for concrete with your own hands
When vibrated, the freshly laid material is compacted, remove air bubbles. After the concrete has hardened, there are no cavities in it, into which over time could get moisture and destroy the surface of the monolith. Vibrating screed treatment improves the quality of the surface layer, increases: strength, water resistance, frost resistance and wear resistance.
Features of using the device
A vibrating screed is a device that passes over the surface of the concrete being laid and performs several fundamental tasks at once:
- Compound ramming, thanks to which the future coating will be more durable.
- Compaction of the solution. there is a large amount of air impurities in it, which requires removal.
- Surface leveling.
As a result, the structure of the concrete surface will be of better quality and more durable.
Such processing of concrete allows to achieve good performance of the future coating, remove possible voids, water and air bubbles from it. After vibrating screed, the coating is completely ready for finishing: laying tiles, laminate, linoleum, underfloor heating and other options.
The product is used in private construction and on an industrial scale.
With its help, are constructed:
- Bridges;
- Hydraulic structures;
- Overpasses;
- Floors;
- Blind areas;
- Foundations and other similar objects.
The vibrating screed can be used for a large number of structures
Concrete is the most commonly used building material. Due to its operational properties, concrete is used in almost all stages of building a house: this is the foundation, blind area, floor surface, walls and partitions.
To achieve strength and durability, concrete must be made from a quality mix and the right tools.
With proper compaction of the concrete solution, the finished surface will be free of cracks. The most important tool when working with concrete is a vibrating screed.
Classification
All vibrating screeds differ in design and drive type. Each type of instrument has both advantages and disadvantages.
Preparatory process before assembling the screed
It is worth undertaking the assembly of the vibrating screed for those developers who had previous experience with concrete. It is impossible to create an aggregate without an idea of how the mortar behaves during pouring, what difficulties arise in the absence of poured concrete ramming. In addition, installation will require skills in owning a welding machine. Therefore, it is recommended for novice builders to acquire a factory-made device or rent it.
It is important to decide before starting the assembly what type of construction is needed for work. There are several of them:
Vibrating screed for concrete. the device is large, this makes it possible to exert the necessary force of influence on a heavy mortar;
Vibrating screed for screed. performs the function of a rule, the model is lightweight, it is very easy to work with it;
Vibrating mop. a lightweight installation used to level a thin layer of cement mortar on the working surface.
DIY vibrating screed
For small work, you can use a homemade vibrating screed.
Aluminum
This type of screed is designed for processing freshly laid concrete. Designed for private construction. Easy to operate.
By the type of engine, gasoline and electric vibrating screeds are distinguished.
As noted above, the petrol vibrating screed is more powerful and, accordingly, more expensive. Electric vibrating screeds have less power, but they are recommended for use in enclosed spaces.
Homemade vibrating plate and vibrating screed
Very often, during the construction of various objects, it is necessary to compact the base of bulk materials under them, and after pouring. concrete mortar. For THESE purposes, the vibration compaction method is widely used in practice. It consists in the fact that vibrations from the operating equipment are transmitted to the compacted layer. As a result of the process, the particles of the compacted material move as close as possible to each other, and air is squeezed out of the concrete, due to which, after it solidifies into a monolith, it acquires its calculated strength due to the absence of voids.
To effectively compact loose soil, crushed stone, gravel or sand, use a vibrating plate. The poured concrete solution is leveled, while compacting it with the help of a vibrating screed. But it makes sense to buy such equipment only with regular and large volumes of construction work. For rare household use, it is quite easy to make a vibrating plate with your own hands, and making a vibrating screed is even easier. To independently implement the project, you should first familiarize yourself with the designs of the units.
Engine
As a drive for a homemade vibrating tool, you can use:
- Electric motor;
- Gasoline or diesel internal combustion engine (ICE).
The electric motor for the vibrating plate, which is planned to be assembled, is recommended to be selected with a capacity of 1.5 to 2 kW. In this case, the rotation speed should be from 4000 to 5000 rpm. If the power of the electric motor is less than the specified value, then this will affect the performance of the created unit in the direction of its decrease.
The electric motor is the most expensive part of a homemade installation. For home use, it is better to buy single-phase modifications of electric motors, for example, as part of IV-99E or IV-98E vibrators, operating from a voltage of 220 V. The electric motor can also be removed from old unused equipment, for example, from a drilling machine. It is only necessary that it matches in power and speed.
If you equip homemade equipment with an electric motor, then to increase the safety of work, it is recommended to install separately protection, for example, a differential circuit breaker or a residual current device (RCD).
A homemade vibrating plate can also be equipped with an internal combustion engine. If you buy it, then it is recommended to give preference to Honda’s single-cylinder three-stroke engines. ICE from a chainsaw or a tiller will also work.
Vibratory plate assembly algorithm
To make a vibrating plate for soil compaction yourself, you will need the following materials and parts:
- Steel sheet measuring 50 by 80 cm with a thickness of at least 8 mm;
- Platform vibrator with an electric motor, for example, IV-98E;
- 2 pieces of channel 45 cm long;
- Fasteners: bolts М10 and М12 with nuts, washers;
- Shock absorbers;
- 1.5 m metal pipe (20-25 mm diameter).
Of the tools you will need:
- Welding machine;
- A hammer;
- Angle grinder with cutting discs;
- Electric drill with a set of drills for metal;
- Spanners;
- Tape measure, marker or chalk.
Homemade vibrating plate with an electric motor is assembled in the following sequence.
- The angle grinder makes cuts about 5 mm deep (so that the metal can be bent) at both ends of the steel sheet. Here the front edge recedes 10 cm, but the back. 5 cm.
- At an angle of about 20-30 degrees, the edges are bent with a hammer, after which the bend is welded.
- Two channels are welded parallel to the bent edges at a distance of about 5-10 cm from the central mowing line, the workpiece made.
- A vibrator is installed in the center on them, along the legs of which marks are made for fasteners.
- Drill holes into the channel with an electric drill.
- Mount the vibrator, attach it with bolts, nuts and washers.
- Attaches cushion pads to the slab.
- Bend the tube into a U-shape to make a handle.
- Bolt holes are drilled at the edges.
- Attach the handle to the sole through metal corners and shock absorbers.
- Connect the power cable and install the starting protection equipment.
- Check the performance of the created unit.
The mass of the assembled vibrating plate will be approximately 60 kg. To make it convenient to transport it, a piece of pipe is welded to the plate, which will serve as an axis for the wheels.
A more complex option for creating a vibrating plate involves the use of a separate engine, for example, from a tiller. In this case, in order to assemble vibration equipment, you will need a homemade or factory vibrator. The rotation of the motor will be transmitted to it using a belt, put on pulleys.
The whole process of assembling the vibrating plate is shown in the photo below.
After painting, the final mechanism will look like in the photo below.
If necessary, you can increase the mass of a homemade vibrating plate. This is done by additional welding of metal sheets or reinforcement rods. A do-it-yourself vibratory tool is quite capable of competing with factory counterparts.
Vibrator
A vibrator for a vibrating plate can be purchased factory-made or made independently in various ways. One of the options for a homemade vibration unit will be considered in the next paragraph.
Manufacturing options for basic elements
The design of the vibrating plate is quite simple. It consists of four main nodes:
- Engine;
- Plates;
- Frames;
- Vibrator.
Plate and frame
Here the movement of the vibrator is transmitted by a belt. it is installed on the pulleys. By changing the dimensions of the latter (diameter), you can set the Required speed of the vibrator. A car belt is suitable for Belt Drive. The plate is made of steel or cast iron sheet with a thickness of 8-10 mm. The rest of the structure is located above it. To make the frame, use metal corners 5 by 5 cm or larger.
Additional structural elements
Light (up to 75 kg), universal (75-90 kg) and medium-heavy (from 90 to 140 kg in weight) models of equipment without the possibility of remote control are equipped with handles made of metal pipes. With their help, the operator sets the direction of movement.
For ease of transportation, the units are also equipped with wheels. They can be removed if necessary. To move a homemade stove, you can take wheels, for example, from an old wheelbarrow.
Vibrating screed manufacturing methods
A homemade vibrating screed is a tool that has a simple device. It consists of the following basic structural elements:
- Drive;
- Slats (frames)
- Control knobs.
At home, vibration tools are made in two ways:
- In the form of a mop;
- Rigid frame.
The reason for the equipment is a gasoline or electric motor. For home use, it is better to take an electric motor as the basis of the mechanism, because it can be used indoors without problems, for example, when screed floors.
An electric motor with a power of 1.5 kW is enough to compact a layer of concrete mortar with a thickness of 200 mm, and also to level it. If you use a motor with a large value of this parameter, then this will lead, in most cases, to unnecessary power consumption. Only when it is really planned to perform a large volume of construction operations in domestic conditions, associated with concrete ramming, can a motor of greater power be taken. This will be a justified step in terms of productivity, efficiency and safety of work.
If you have to work mainly on the street or in well-ventilated rooms, then the electric motor can be replaced with an internal combustion engine, for example, from a chainsaw or lawn mowers. Only you need to use it to start, together with the clutch.
To make the frame, a steel channel or flat board will do. For home use, it will be enough to equip homemade vibration equipment with a rail up to 3 m long.It is generally necessary to navigate when choosing this parameter by the size of the object, which you want to build.
Vibrating screed assembly algorithm
For the implementation of the simplest options, drawings are not necessary. Suitable as a drive unit:
- Sander;
- Angle Grinder;
- Electric drill or screwdriver.
You will also need the following working tools and materials:
- Smooth, polished board 0.5 m long, about 3 cm thick, 25 cm wide;
- Self-tapping screws;
- Punched tape;
- Bar 5 by 5 cm, length 1-1.5 (2 pcs), to make a handle.
The vibrating screed from the Electric drill in the form of a mop is assembled in the following sequence:
- The surface of the board (if it is not sanded) is made smooth using a planer and sandpaper;
- To it from above exactly in the center, Using punched tape and self-tapping screws, fix the Electric drill laid along;
- On both sides of the drill, stepping back a few centimeters, attach the handle at an angle, cutting off the ends of the bars obliquely;
- Fix in the chuck of the power tool a nozzle, the center of gravity of which is shifted, for example, a clamping wrench, a bent drill or a piece of reinforcement;
- Connect the unit to the network and check its performance.
The drill chuck should rotate around an axis that coincides with the center longitudinal line of the board. Vibration occurs when using a nozzle with an offset center of gravity.
A vibrating screed from a grinder, an angle grinder or a screwdriver is made in a similar way. Only after compacting and leveling the concrete will the power tool need to be well cleaned of the solution so that it can be used in the future.
If you need to compact and level the concrete with a layer of up to 10 cm, then a vibrating screed from a deep vibrator will do. It is made as follows:
- A rectangular letter is cut out of plywood (with a side length of about 70×50 cm);
- A mace is attached to it with a punched tape or with the help of clamps, while the deep vibrator itself serves as a kind of handle.
In order for the rail to move freely, it is better to beat the working surface of the plywood rectangle with Zhestyes, bent at the edges.