Stone Screed

[cgland]

It's not real new, but has anyone tried it? I believe it is http://kalcometals.com/stonescreed.htm looks cool, but I wonder how accurate/sturdy it is.

Chris

[mckeeland]

i tried ordering that several times this season, never get a call back. i finally just made my own out of my old 2' levels. it came good and works just as well. only cost me a couple of dollars for the bolts and wing nuts. i will take a pic and post it. i haven't really got a chance to use it, but i guys seem to think its ok.

[cgland]

I would love to see your handy work

Chris

[chardscapes]

My buddy has one and he loves it. I am going to try to use it next season then maybe buy my own . (If I can find a link to buy one on their site ;) ) Might be a sweet invention for you inventors here . !!

[csavage]

I'm thinking of buying one, but I believe you have to buy it from a distributor.

[SCgreenscapes]

If You Scroll Down On His Website, You Will See That He Only Has 53 Hits. I Sure Hope That This Is A Mistake. Geese. I've Looked At My Own Website More Times Than That. Lol

[mckeeland]

i am probably gonna get sued for copyright infringement, but i honestly tried to call this guy and buy it from him. i did not have the time to make this at the time, but needed it. honestly it to me 20 mins at the most and maybe $5. i had the aluminum already. so here it is.

[chardscapes]

Yesp - exactly the same thing.

[cgland]

Nice work! Calling all cars, calling all cars!

Chris

[limerickallied]

Chris:

I am looking into stocking this tool...waiting to hear back from a rep. Need to get cost, minimums ect...

Chris Stevens
Allied Landscape...Limerick

[cgland]

Cool - I think I will definately buy one. Let me know.

Chris

[Majland]

looks like a useful tool.

[STLPONDS]

I know I'm going to feel stupid when I hear the answer, but what is it used for?

[GreenMonster]

It seems like most guys here are screeding their base anyway.... is this tool really necessary?

The other thing to be careful for is not compounding error. I would say you'd have to continuously check with 2' level to adjacent block, and with your 6' level as well to make sure your entire base course is staying true.

[rake eye]

I rarely screed my base. I use the laser and make sure that my footer is on and just level the block. IMO all the other stuff is a waste of time. However, on very large layouts I have screeded so that I could snap chalk lines. Either way I think for me personally a stone screed is a tool I would never use.

[Evening Star Lighting]

Hey McKee,

You could have probably have used a Polypropylene or Nylon "cutting board" for your project. Next time, take a trip to Bed Bath and Beyond. LOL.. how does it work? Your opinions?

Don't forget... just because one block is level, screeding off that block and making another pad will not keep everything level. It's probably good for small steps or hard to reach areas. Best bet is to use a laser, and frame the site out. Screed with one big sweep and start there.

[mckeeland]

i use a laser, 2' and 4' level too. i mainly like that it gets the leveling sand ready for he next block without picking it up and putting it back down several times.

it works the way you would expect, i dont have alot of hours with it, my guys do and they seem to like it.

the poly is a good idea, maybe even a piece of lexan. i had the aluminum so i used that.

[Andy]

I made my own as well. It worked well and did speed the process. I would suggest some rubber washers or piece of pond liner between the plate and the level. On my first version I had some slippage between the plate and the level.

[SCgreenscapes]

I would think that to get the rigidness necessary you would have to have a fairly thick cutting board or piece of lexan and that would add a good bit more weight than the aluminum would. too much weight could possibly allow for user error and allow the screed side to sag and dig.