Tamping tool for

Six holes, in three opposing pairs. Make sure that the nail lines up with the hole on the opposite side of the pipe. If you try to bang it into solid metal, the nail will bend. As a mold for the cement head, I used a plastic margarine tub. This is going to be a fairly light-weight tamper. If you need something bigger and heavier you may want to use a heavier pipe than I am using here and a larger container as a mold. Over my level work table there is a pulley, with a rope system for raising or lowering lights.

I used the system to hang the tool handle, instead. Lower the handle to the appropriate depth for when it is in the mold. I cut a hole in the bottom of the butter tub to allow filling with concrete when the tub was inverted, and I used the tub lid as a bottom for the mold. I used some plasticine clay to fill in some irregularities around the edge inside where the lid joined the tub.

Eliminating irregularities makes the cement surface flatter when it is removed from the mold. If the lid has an air space between it and the table, shim it up a little with pieces of cardboard, etc. You want the bottom of the cast cement to be flat, not with a belly to it.

I think that the larger tamper I made years ago was made in an inverted container without a lid. I just sealed where the container joined the non-stick table surface with some clay. Mix up some concrete three parts gravel, two parts sand, one part cement with sufficient water to be able to get it into the mold.

Use a stick to jiggle the cement around some to eliminate air bubbles. Let it stand until the concrete is hard enough for you to remove the tub mold.

This tamper has a slightly reddish color because the cement was contaminated with some red pigment from another project. The lid just pops off. I cut the body of the plastic container with a knife to get it off the cement. Before removing the mold, think about keeping the cement moist for a few days while the cement cures. It cures harder if it doesn't dry out quickly. You could leave the cast head inside the plastic mold for a few days, holding in the moisture it already has.

Alternatively, you could remove it from the mold and let the head soak in a bucket of water for a few days. How long did YOU let your tamping head cure before removing the mold? And then how long did you let it cure after removing the mold? Reply 7 months ago. Thanks for the reply.

I'm worried now that I may have mixed my concrete with too much water Otherwise I'll just try again. This is so cool! I'm planning to build myself a backyard garden shed.

This will be perfect for compacting the ground before I pour the gravel and concrete for the floor. Plus I like to idea of making your own dumbbells. Way to go! Nice simple traditional tool. A slight improvement would be to add a "T" handle. Do remember to wear steel toe boots or shoes, could be a mite painful otherwise. How long do you think this should cure before use? Many home improvement stores offer hand tampers as rentals, but the cost of this tool doesn't justify this.

Because of the wide range of uses, a tamper is a tool most homeowners will use again and again after purchasing. So, unless you are absolutely certain you will never use the tool again, it's likely one worth buying.

The main task associated with keeping a tamper in good shape is simply cleaning it off after use. Depending on the specific material used for your tamper's base, storing it dirty or wet may lead to rust and deterioration. So, it's always recommended that you clean and dry it after use. If properly used and cleaned before storage, odds are a tamper's base will last forever. However, the handle, depending on the quality and specific material used, will likely wear out over time.

In this case, many tampers can have a replacement handle added, while others cannot due to their construction. If your specific tamper isn't made to accept a replacement, a bad handle is a sign to buy a new tamper. Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Use precise geolocation data. Select personalised content. Create a personalised content profile.

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Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. What Is a Tamper? Digging Bar. Warning When using a tamper, always wear work boots. Steel-toed boots will offer extra protection.

Tip Use your back and shoulders, along with the weight of the tamper, to provide the force needed to pack and level the surface. Featured Video. Read More. Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for TheSpruce. At any time, you can update your settings through the "EU Privacy" link at the bottom of any page.

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