So I had a PTSD moment

[Chrisj CMA]

I got hired to do a concrete countertop system for an indoor/outdoor kitchen.  So, today was the day to pour the first piece.  Now, this isn't the first time using the cement mixer since the big "event" but as soon as I rolled it out and looked inside I felt it.  Then when I turned it on to make sure it was still working before I loaded it up with product.  I REALLY FELT IT!  That feeling of doom like somehow no matter what I do it's gonna get me again.

Well it only lasted a couple seconds and the pour went off perfect.  Ill know in four days if the piece is acceptable or not.  I m confident it will be.

Seriously, I did not expect to experience any reaction this time.  I guess that was an event worth remembering.

[RDKLL]

Welp, that was a pretty significant event with that mixer...I am sure it was just as apprehensive as you were.

[Hook#3287]

Glad it went well after the first "Gulp!"

I can understand the feelings, that thing bit you good.

I'd be interested in seeing the finished product, if you can get the time to show it off.

[Chrisj CMA]

Ok......will post some pics in four days when it comes out of the mold

[Roidfingers]

So do you do the diy with the white board or buy the kits with the snap off borders? I want to do mine but I have a U shaped counter. Whats you thoughts. TY

[Chrisj CMA]

I get rid of the old counters and form full thickness 2" of high strength quickcrete.  These are the real deal.

[Hook#3287]

So you don't pour in place?  If not, is there a reason you don't?  Building convenience or quality of finish product?

[Chrisj CMA]

So you don't pour in place?  If not, is there a reason you don't?  Building convenience or quality of finish product?

I don't pour in place because I water grind the finish.  This cannot be done inplace 99% of the time.  I'm a purist.  I consider most pour in place products Faux concrete.  Its not really a countertop its a coating over a counter top.  But, to answer the question its mostly the finish.  You cannot achieve the finish I produce in place.

Here is a picture of the finish on an Island I did there are overhead lights reflecting on the concrete

[Chrisj CMA]

So do you do the diy with the white board or buy the kits with the snap off borders? I want to do mine but I have a U shaped counter. Whats you thoughts. TY

No kits here.  I buy an acrylic product that colors and improves the quality of the mix.  Form it, grind it, polish it and install it like you would granite.

[Hook#3287]

That's a good looking finish and I can see it would be something you couldn't do in place.

Does it need to be redone after some time in place?  Maintenance?

Thanks for the info.

[Chrisj CMA]

That's a good looking finish and I can see it would be something you couldn't do in place.

Does it need to be redone after some time in place?  Maintenance?

Thanks for the info.

A little carnuba wax every once in a while
  Kinda like waxing a car.

[Chrisj CMA]

Ok, I forgot to post pics as promised
This is fresh out the mold



This is after a few hours of grinding



After this pic there was the slurry and then a few more hours of grinding then sealer, wax and polish.

I didn't take the finished product picture yet, but will this week and update.  Its going slow, I still have two more pieces to make.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I think the eclipse blinded me  I can't see the pic. 

[Chrisj CMA]

I think the eclipse blinded me  I can't see the pic. 

Can you see it now.  Sometimes a little time passes and you can see better 

[The emperor has no clothes]

I can see ! I CAN SEE ! It's a miracle !

Ok, now I have a bunch of questions. What do you use to grind it smooth ? How many people to set it in place ? What kind of reinforcement ?

[Chrisj CMA]

I can see ! I CAN SEE ! It's a miracle !

Ok, now I have a bunch of questions. What do you use to grind it smooth ? How many people to set it in place ? What kind of reinforcement ?

Grinding is done with diamond pads and a water grinder.  Grits starting at 50 and goes up to 1500.

Reinforced with rebar.  This piece only weighs 200# so it only took one other helper to set it in place.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Shows what I know. I was thinking close to 400. I'm going to check on this water grinder, I'm not familiar.

[Chrisj CMA]

Shows what I know. I was thinking close to 400. I'm going to check on this water grinder, I'm not familiar.

Well to be exact it is 3.5 bags of 60# concrete, three bags of acrilic product plus the rebar so it's a tad over 200 but no where near 400

[The emperor has no clothes]

Shows what I know. I was thinking close to 400. I'm going to check on this water grinder, I'm not familiar.

Well to be exact it is 3.5 bags of 60# concrete, three bags of acrilic product plus the rebar so it's a tad over 200 but no where near 400

all water is evaporated ? Showing my ignorance, I always assumed some water was retained in the curing.

[Chrisj CMA]

Shows what I know. I was thinking close to 400. I'm going to check on this water grinder, I'm not familiar.

Well to be exact it is 3.5 bags of 60# concrete, three bags of acrilic product plus the rebar so it's a tad over 200 but no where near 400

all water is evaporated ? Showing my ignorance, I always assumed some water was retained in the curing.

I turned and flipped it by myself and carrying I didn't feel I had over 100# so Id say 90 some percent of water goes away

[The emperor has no clothes]

Shows what I know. I was thinking close to 400. I'm going to check on this water grinder, I'm not familiar.

Well to be exact it is 3.5 bags of 60# concrete, three bags of acrilic product plus the rebar so it's a tad over 200 but no where near 400

all water is evaporated ? Showing my ignorance, I always assumed some water was retained in the curing.

I turned and flipped it by myself and carrying I didn't feel I had over 100# so Id say 90 some percent of water goes away

[f6john]

How are joints handled where two pieces have to be butted together?

[Chrisj CMA]

How are joints handled where two pieces have to be butted together?

Great care must be taken when building the forms that the mating edges come out crisp and square.  Then unless the pieces re very heavy they are epoxied together and the joint gets slurry then re ground.  These joints are never invisible so they need to be design features, i.e
I don't make standard mitered corners like granite

[Chrisj CMA]

Here is an example of a joint. It goes diagonally through the sink cutout

[Chrisj CMA]

My customer finally got the new cooker so we finalized the dimensions of the next two pieces of concrete.  I took a picture of the island piece in place.  It still gets a nother good coat of wax and the final polish but at least its in place.





You can see the old tile countertops, compared to the concrete.  Its going to be a huge change when all is done.

[old2soon]

Lookin cursed Good there Chris!  NOT looking for exact pricing but I'm thinkin yours comes in under granite? RIDE SAFE.

[Chrisj CMA]

Lookin cursed Good there Chris!  NOT looking for exact pricing but I'm thinkin yours comes in under granite? RIDE SAFE.

Three pieces roughly this size (one a tad bigger but one a tad smaller) so three of these is $1000

[Hook#3287]

Looking good

[Chrisj CMA]

Ok, so its taking a while with two hurricanes and other things getting in the way but all the pieces are in.  ITs up to the customer now to finish the lower parts and get it looking real nice

[Savago]

Looks great, really pro-level.
:-)

[Chrisj CMA]

Looks great, really pro-level.
:-)

Thanks 

[Hook#3287]

Looks great, really pro-level.
:-)

I agree

The questions are, did you make a profit and would you do another?

I always wondered if concrete counter tops were a labor of love?

[Chrisj CMA]

Looks great, really pro-level.
:-)

I agree

The questions are, did you make a profit and would you do another?

I always wondered if concrete counter tops were a labor of love?

ya, done 5 or 6 so far.....lots of work.  you do have to love it

[Hook#3287]

I thought you had done others, it obviously shows in the quality of the last one.

Can't beat skills learned from experience.