Mini plate compactor for sandstone slabs

**olefella** · Apr 20, 2020, 05:48 AM

Sandstone slabs are heavy and difficult to tamp to an even surface. A commercial plate compactor/vibrator is too heavy, damages the pavers and can crack them. This is a mini-compacter, made out of scrap I had in the antique department, weighs 30kg with a 1/4HP motor. Works well, cost nothing.

**Altair** · Apr 20, 2020, 12:26 PM

Thanks olefella! We've added your Mini Plate Compactor to our Miscellaneous category,
as well as to your builder page: olefella's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Mini Plate Compactor by olefella

tags: compressor

**Scrounga** · Apr 21, 2020, 07:26 PM

Mate, it doesn’t get any better than that. Works well+cost nothing=

The only problem now is keeping it because when your mates find out you have one......you know the rest.

**olefella** · Apr 21, 2020, 07:52 PM

You're not wrong Scrounga - one mate's already searching around for a compactor to do his path and I'm trying to avoid him. Never works!

**rdarrylb** · Apr 22, 2020, 06:55 AM

Great idea! I need one to compact some sand in my barn that the bloody groundhogs tunnel through, and I don't want to spend $500 for one that I wouldn't use much. Never thought about an eccentric weight as the vibratory source. I had thought of a crank to an isolated bottom plate. Your idea is much simpler. I will be saving this for a future build!!!

**Pa1963** · Apr 26, 2020, 04:12 PM

You shouldn't have to tamp the slabs if you've properly compacted the base. It's the whole point of having laid base-to provide a solid, stable surface to lay your paving on.

**Drew1966** · Apr 26, 2020, 07:25 PM

Very nice. Why use Western Red Cedar as it’s worth over $100/metre? Cheapo pine would do the same job.

**metric_taper** · Apr 26, 2020, 08:28 PM

Your build is very interesting. I'm wondering, if you had a bit more offset weight on your rotating shaft, if it would momentarily jump in the air, allowing the operator to move it easier sideways. I'm in need of this same sort of machine for a garage slab foundation prep. I'm working right now.

**olefella** · Apr 27, 2020, 12:48 AM

Originally Posted by Pa1963

You shouldn't have to tamp the slabs if you've properly compacted the base. It's the whole point of having laid base-to provide a solid, stable surface to lay your paving on.

The slabs vary in thickness from 28-35 mm, and, while the undersurface is saw cut some have flakes broken off so it’s not always even. The base is compacted FCR, and I have brushed off all largish chips so it’s pretty flat and stable. There’s a layer of sharp sand under the slabs allowing them to settle so their top surface is even. I started off tamping them with a rubber mallet but they need a bit more hence the vibrater. I’ve laid smooth concrete slabs before, but not sandstone, so maybe I’ve got something wrong, but this seems to be going ok now.