I’m just a novice at wood working but as I’m working at creating a work shop by combining two side-by-side buildings that my dad used, I have come to realize that it would be helpful to have a truly level floor.
Of course I’ve come to realize this a couple years after putting in a concrete floor with the help of a few friends, none of us being experts in concrete work.
The floor’s not bad really. I made a form that was fairly level as I ran lines from each side to the others, but it’s not perfect by any means.
I remember years ago, watching as contractors poured a thin, green liquid from 55 gal drums onto what became an indoor tennis court.
If I’m not mistaken, it was thin enough that it didn’t need to be trowed but was self leveling.
My thought is that If I could find a product similar to this that wasn’t so pricey, & I could pour it myself, I would have a floor that is as level as a pond on a windless day.
It may need to be covered with plywood for protection, but the end result would be a level floor that would be easy on the feet & easy to sweep.
I’ve had a person or two suggest that I build it up by adding floor joist on top of the concrete, but the ceiling (especially near the back) is low enough that I can’t spare the head room.
I’ve done a fair amount of searching on the internet & what I’ve found so far that is truly “self leveling” is not sold to DIYers but is installed by contractors, & at prices that I can’t afford.
The area I have in mind is “L” shaped & approximately 400sq ft.
Any thoughts? Thanks. …Tim
Replies
Tim,
The Home despot sells a self-leveling product made by Custom Building Products. The only trouble is it's rapid setting. I have been using the extended set version for years in my tile business and it's pretty easy to work with and has a 30 min working time. Check out : http://www.custombuildingproducts.com/ProductCatalog/SurfacePrep/SelfLevelingUnderlayments/LevelQuikES.aspx?user=pro&lang=en
I buy mine locally at Minnesota tile, but any tile store which carries the custom line should have it. Custom's website has a "where to buy" section.
One thing though, self-leveling products are not meant to be a wear surface, they must be covered with tile, etc.
good luck,
In a woodworking shop, I don't find a need for a super-level floor. As long as you aren't tripping over the floor and you can roll your tools around without difficulty, you should be okay. If you want a level floor for assembly, an easier way would be to build a low assembly table.
Chris @ www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com
- Success is not the key to happines. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer
Yeah, I know that having that level of a floor isn't necessary, but one of the advantages I didn't mention in the 1st post was having movable tools & out feed tables that would always match up, no mater how they are mixed & matched.It appears that the product that seajai linked has to be trowed on. I'm afraid I wouldn't end up much better off if I did it that way<G>.
Yeah, I know that having that level of a floor isn't necessary, but one of the advantages I didn't mention in the 1st post was having movable tools & out feed tables that would always match up, no mater how they are mixed & matched.
I HAD ONE! Untill some Maple tree roots were looking for water! I love trees but!
Spend your money on TOOLS.. A wedge under a tool leg using a level does wonders!
Post this Q over at Breaktime. It comes up over there from time to time. There are a lot of self-leveling products for use over either wood or concrete & the guys over there will be able to give you the info you need.
The problem you will likely face is that most (if not all) of these self-leveling products are meant to be used under some other surface, like tile, since they're not strong enough on their own to hold up to traffic, especially shop traffic.
Mike Hennessy
Pittsburgh, PA
Tim,
The product I linked you to does not have to be troweled on. It is mixed at a ratio of 6 quarts of water to a 50# bag in a large pail. After mixing, the stuff is very watery and can just be poured around on the floor. We have used it for years and have never had to trowel it. It is important to pour it all over the floor and not just in one or two spots. The product will flow but needs to be spread out to achieve a level surface.
Tim,The product I linked you to does not have to be troweled on. It is mixed at a ratio of 6 quarts of water to a 50# bag in a large pail. After mixing, the stuff is very watery and can just be poured around on the floor. We have used it for years and have never had to trowel it. It is important to pour it all over the floor and not just in one or two spots. The product will flow but needs to be spread out to achieve a level surface. AHHHH... I missed that. Thanks. I'll look at that again.
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