Decomposed granite path - powered compactor or hand tamper?
 

I'm installing a stabilized (mixed-in) DG path, and need to compact it. I'm sure that a powered compactor is going to be easier and better, to a degree. My question is: to what degree? I can rent a powered one but the problem is strictly logistical. It weighs 150 lbs, and I have no helper. So I either hire someone for the day to help me, or go with a hand tamper. On a small (200 sq. ft) job, would a hand damper be good enough? This sort of thing: http://tinyurl.com/handtamper.

Decomposed granite path - powered compactor or hand tamper?
 

On Sat, 22 Feb 2014 09:23:51 -0800 (PST), wrote:

I'm installing a stabilized (mixed-in) DG path, and need to compact it. I'm sure that a powered compactor is going to be easier and better, to a degree. My question is: to what degree? I can rent a powered one but the problem is strictly logistical. It weighs 150 lbs, and I have no helper. So I either hire someone for the day to help me, or go with a hand tamper. On a small (200 sq. ft) job, would a hand damper be good enough? This sort of thing: http://tinyurl.com/handtamper.

A powered plate compacter is best IMHO.

Aside, if you use the hand tamper, do the DG compacting in layers of ~
2 inches or less and mist the area on each layer. The hand tamper can
be used with reasonable results. Do not try to compact 4 inches DG at
a time without using a plate compactor. HTH / YMMV

Decomposed granite path - powered compactor or hand tamper?
 

On Saturday, February 22, 2014 10:00:36 AM UTC-8, Oren wrote:
On Sat, 22 Feb 2014 09:23:51 -0800 (PST), wrote:



I'm installing a stabilized (mixed-in) DG path, and need to compact it. I'm sure that a powered compactor is going to be easier and better, to a degree. My question is: to what degree? I can rent a powered one but the problem is strictly logistical. It weighs 150 lbs, and I have no helper. So I either hire someone for the day to help me, or go with a hand tamper. On a small (200 sq. ft) job, would a hand damper be good enough? This sort of thing: http://tinyurl.com/handtamper.



A powered plate compacter is best IMHO.



Aside, if you use the hand tamper, do the DG compacting in layers of ~

2 inches or less and mist the area on each layer. The hand tamper can

be used with reasonable results. Do not try to compact 4 inches DG at

a time without using a plate compactor. HTH / YMMV

Be sure to moisten. I wasted a lot of DG, time and energy (hand tamp) before someone took mercy on me & explained why weeds were popping through big-time.

HB

Decomposed granite path - powered compactor or hand tamper?
 

On Saturday, February 22, 2014 12:40:57 PM UTC-8, Higgs Boson wrote:
On Saturday, February 22, 2014 10:00:36 AM UTC-8, Oren wrote:

On Sat, 22 Feb 2014 09:23:51 -0800 (PST), wrote:







I'm installing a stabilized (mixed-in) DG path, and need to compact it.. I'm sure that a powered compactor is going to be easier and better, to a degree. My question is: to what degree? I can rent a powered one but the problem is strictly logistical. It weighs 150 lbs, and I have no helper. So I either hire someone for the day to help me, or go with a hand tamper. On a small (200 sq. ft) job, would a hand damper be good enough? This sort of thing: http://tinyurl.com/handtamper.







A powered plate compacter is best IMHO.







Aside, if you use the hand tamper, do the DG compacting in layers of ~



2 inches or less and mist the area on each layer. The hand tamper can



be used with reasonable results. Do not try to compact 4 inches DG at



a time without using a plate compactor. HTH / YMMV



Be sure to moisten. I wasted a lot of DG, time and energy (hand tamp) before someone took mercy on me & explained why weeds were popping through big-time.



HB

I've got about 3" of DG. Do you think I should put in half, compact, moisten, then put in the rest? Or put it all in, pack, screed, compact, fill in the low spots (I'm assuming there will be low spots) then moisten?

Decomposed granite path - powered compactor or hand tamper?
 

On Sat, 22 Feb 2014 12:40:57 -0800 (PST), Higgs Boson
wrote:

On Saturday, February 22, 2014 10:00:36 AM UTC-8, Oren wrote:
On Sat, 22 Feb 2014 09:23:51 -0800 (PST), wrote:



I'm installing a stabilized (mixed-in) DG path, and need to compact it. I'm sure that a powered compactor is going to be easier and better, to a degree. My question is: to what degree? I can rent a powered one but the problem is strictly logistical. It weighs 150 lbs, and I have no helper. So I either hire someone for the day to help me, or go with a hand tamper. On a small (200 sq. ft) job, would a hand damper be good enough? This sort of thing: http://tinyurl.com/handtamper.



A powered plate compacter is best IMHO.



Aside, if you use the hand tamper, do the DG compacting in layers of ~

2 inches or less and mist the area on each layer. The hand tamper can

be used with reasonable results. Do not try to compact 4 inches DG at

a time without using a plate compactor. HTH / YMMV

Be sure to moisten. I wasted a lot of DG, time and energy (hand tamp) before someone took mercy on me & explained why weeds were popping through big-time.

HB

If I were to hand tamp DG. I would likely dust the first layer with
some mortar mix too; once wet down good. Then move to the next layer
without it, but wet and packed well.

Decomposed granite path - powered compactor or hand tamper?
 

writes:

I'm installing a stabilized (mixed-in) DG path, and need to compact
it. I'm sure that a powered compactor is going to be easier and
better, to a degree. My question is: to what degree? I can rent a
powered one but the problem is strictly logistical. It weighs 150 lbs,
and I have no helper. So I either hire someone for the day to help me,
or go with a hand tamper. On a small (200 sq. ft) job, would a hand
damper be good enough? This sort of thing:
http://tinyurl.com/handtamper.

I've done some tamping with both devices.

The machine is in an entirely separate class.
I've had rock dust that was a lot like cement after the machine.
I don't think you'll be happy with the hand tamper result.

Can you call a neighbor over to help load/unload?
Someone will help at the rental center.
Operating one of those things isn't that hard.

--
Dan Espen

Decomposed granite path - powered compactor or hand tamper?
 

Can you call a neighbor over to help load/unload?

Someone will help at the rental center.

Operating one of those things isn't that hard.

Yeah that's what I'll do. I don't want to create a sub-optimal result because of the lack of one helper. I'll work it out. Thanks all for your advice.