I am thinking about buying a used compactor to do the prep work for a concrete garage floor so I don't feel rushed with rented one. I figure I can use it, and when I am finished, I can just resell it and get most of my money back. Would a plate style, or a jumping jack style be better for what I am trying to do? Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Anyone know about compactors for floor base prep?
- Thread starter 1233user
- Start date
Nighttrain
Well-known member
I would say a plate compactor would be better for a large area like a garage slab. You will only beable to compact a couple of inches at a time compared to a bigger roller. I have been looking for one also for some future patios etc I want to pour. They look like about $1000 for a good used one.
Always_Thinkin
Well-known member
I would agree with the vibratory plate. You will be able to compact sand or an aggregate base course. My rule of thumb is to put down 4-6 inch loose lifts and minimum 6 passes. Also watch your moisture content because material to dry or wet won't allow you to compact the material. A jumping jack is for clay materials. The aggregate or sand material will be easier to handle.
snowman1981
Well-known member
A friend of mine purchased the plate compactor from HF and used it to do his floor prep in his garage. worked really well . i forget the cost but overall it worked really well. he has used it on a few other projects and still running strong.
RivennHewn
Well-known member
Plate compactors work on the top 4 to 6" of fill.
Jumping jacks work down to about 18 to 24".
Which to use depends on your soil/fill type, and depth.
Jumping jacks work down to about 18 to 24".
Which to use depends on your soil/fill type, and depth.
camarotoolman
Banned
Lawn sprinklers and garden hose is alot cheaper and less work.
budman1964
Active member
Rent one from Home Depot....$75 or so for a day.
oilslick
Well-known member
I used one from my city public works dept, it smoked like hell so checked the oil and it was full of gas! Would have sucked to blo up a borrowed compactor! I used the **** out of it for a few hours and it settled my base 1.5" . It felt almost like Crete walking on it. I used rock like kitty litter for first 8" then recycled asphalt for the next 7" it seemed to work though my slab has hollow sound at edges where it must have settled more after we had several inches of rain
Thanks for all your replies! Looks like I will be searching for a plate style compactor. Any recommendations on what I should look for as far as specs go? I am assuming that bigger is better? I did a quick search online, and it looks like the "Wacker" brand is a fairly well known name with several different models. My plan is to find a used one on Craigslist or EBay that would be local to me. I don't want to buy a no name brand, because I think that would be harder to sell when I am done using it. Thanks again for your advice!
collmorgen
Well-known member
Why buy? Rent one from an equipment rental place.
Why buy? Rent one from an equipment rental place.
I don't want to be rushed in doing the job. If I own the compactor, it doesn't matter how long it takes me, and I can go over the floor area as many times as I feel necessary to achieve a good base for the floor. If I buy one at a fair price, I should be able to sell it for about the same amount I buy it for, making the end result cheaper and much more convenient than renting one.
PAToyota
Well-known member
Walk-behind vibratory roller. Plate compactors are for doing things like paver patios. And jumping jacks are for concentrated areas - like a footer.