AL_n wrote:
The Natural Philosopher wrote in news:jg66jd$or4$1
@news.albasani.net:

that about 3:1 so .08 cu meters

What yer man is saying is that half a cu. meter of goodies is gonna be
a shade over a ton = I'd buy a tonne and a half meself - of stuff.

Of which 1 tonne will be sand (I like sharp for render - nice rustic
feel) and the rest a mixture of cement and possibly lime.

if you go for a 3:1 mix which is quite 'strong' you need something like
1/4 tonne of cement - that's ten 25kg bags - and about 5 bags of
hydraulic lime, to give it a bit of plasticity.

That takes the total up to about 1.375 tonnes in all, which is probably
what half a cu meter weighs.

HOWEVER bear in mind that 'tonne bags' are often only about 875kg or
so..so you may find you need a bit more sand in the end.

get yourself a tonne bag of sand, and then buy the lime and cement as
needed. Unless you think you can render that much in a couple of days.

at this time of year use a frost additive as well.

This is where a trade account and delivery from a builders merchant is
worth considering.


Very helpful - thanks. I'm thinking of more like a 5:1 mix. Thanks for the
account suggestion; I do have an account at Jewsons, and I do remember them
saying they deliver. That'll save some aggro...


Well then get that tonne of sand and a few bags of whatever and some
winter mix, and play around with ratios till it feels right.

This is not an ideal time of year for rendering.

It can take a couple of days to set. Mild and damp is best. Subzero is
awful.





Al