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It’s important to know the correct 2 stroke mix ratio for your engine. The first thing you need to do is check the manual that came with your machine. It should tell you the correct ratio required for your 2-stroke mix. If you can’t find the specific ratio for your mix, 40:1 is accepted as an average ratio for two-stroke engines. This is 125mls of two stroke oil to 5L of fuel. 2 Stroke Fuel Mix Calculator Quickly and accurately calculate fuel/oil mixes easily in seconds! To calculate the amount of oil you need to get the exact 2stroke oil ratio for your 2–stroke engine, use our fuel ratio calculator. 2 Stroke Oil Mix Calculator 2 Stroke Oil Mix Ratio : 1 Quantity Of Petrol/Gas Litres   400 milliliters of oil for 2 liters of gas at 5:1 Whether you need a 50 1 calculator, 40 1 calculator or any oil to petrol ratio, our 2 stroke oil mix calculator can tell you exactly how much oil you need per litre of fuel. Got another ratio and need to work out how much oil to add? Then just enter your ratio and oil amounts in our 2 stroke fuel calculator above. What Machines use 2 Stroke Engines? Even though most cars and motorcycles have four-stroke motors, there are still a few bikes with two-stroke engines (also known as two-cycle engines) . Also plenty of other machines use two-stroke engines — like model aeroplanes, chainsaws, mowers, leaf blowers, string trimmers / whipper snippers, construction machinery, and snowmobiles. What is 2 stroke fuel? Two stroke fuel is basically unleaded petrol mixed with 2 stroke oil. The oil to fuel mix ratio should be specified in your engines instruction manual. The oil in 2 stroke fuel is extremely important in lubricating your engine as two stroke engines do not have an internal oil reservoir. Without the oil, you risk destroying your engine. That is why it is so important to get your 2stroke oil mix right the first time! Why Shouldn’t You Put Straight Petrol into a Two Stroke Engine? Four stroke petrol is straight unleaded petrol (known in the USA as Gas) will rapidly reduce the lifespan of your 2 stroke engine — and by a considerable amount. This is the wrong fuel for a 2 stroke motor, as it doesn’t provide the quality of lubrication that you need. It almost goes without saying, by forcing an engine to run without the correct lubrication you are almost guaranteed in damaging the piston and cylinders. Unfortunately, it’s hard to replace these parts and can be expensive, as its what you call an “engine rebuild”. This is easily preventable just by mixing the fuel and oil correctly. What is the best 2 stroke ratio? The precise 2 stroke oil ratio depends on your manufacturers instructions, as each engine can have varied requirements. The two stroke mix ratio depends on the year your equipment was made, and/or the make of your equipment. Your mix needs to be as accurate as possible, putting neither too much, or too little oil. If you put too much, it may stop the engine, generate carbon buildup, and blow smoke which is particularly bad for the environment. But if you put in too little, it will (with time) damage your engine permanently and overheat. 40 to 1 ratio If you are unsure 40:1 is a middle range 2 stroke fuel ratio. This equals 25mls of two stroke oil to 1 litre of petrol. It is pretty easy to calculate, you just multiply the litre amount by 25. But since we like to keep things as simple as possible you work out your 40 to 1 mix with our calculator above, we have included a 40:1 mix chart for both litres and gallons. 40:1 Fuel mix chart Litres Many brands also recommend a 40 to 1 ratio, if that’s the case then just input into our calculator ’40’ in as the ‘2 stroke oil mix ratio’ and ‘1’ as the quantity and it will work as a 40 to 1 calculator for you. But if you are wanting a physical table that shows the 40 to 1 mix in Litres, the chart below will give you the correct measurements. Fuel – Litres (L) Oil – Millitres (mls) 1 25 2 50 3 75 4 100 5 125 6 150 7 175 8 200 9 225 10 250 12 300 14 350 16 400 18 450 20 500 40 to 1 Fuel Mix Chart Gallons The following is a 40 to 1 Fuel Mix Chart in Gallons. You can print this handy table and keep it in your shed so you always have it available. Just remember, if you ever need to work out your 40:1 ratio in gallons just multiple the number of gallons by 3.2, so a 40 to 1 oil mix for 6 gallons is 19.2fl oz. Fuel – Gallons (gal) Oil – Fluid Ounce (fl oz) 1/2 1.6 1 3.2 1.5 4.8 2 6.4 2.5 8 3 9.6 3.5 11.2 4 12.8 4.5 14.4 5 16 5.5 17.6 6 19.2 6.5 20.8 7 22.4 7.5 24 50 to 1 ratio The best thing about the 50 to 1 ratio is that it is so each to calculate! To work out this 2 stroke ratio, all you need to do is multiply the litre amount by 2 and add a zero. But as you know we like to keep things as simple as possible. So not only can you work out your 50 to 1 mix with our calculator above, we have included a 50:1 mix chart for both litres and gallons. 50:1 Fuel mix chart Litres Many brands also recommend a 50 to 1 ratio, if that’s the case then just input into our calculator ’50’ in as the ‘2 stroke oil mix ratio’ and ‘1’ as the quantity and it will work as a 50 to 1 calculator for you. But if you are wanting a physical table that shows the 50 to 1 mix in Litres, the chart below

While there are great systems available on the private market place, this is not suitable for everyone. When you’re just starting out, or if you’re used to the good old pen and carbon paper invoicing book, you might be looking for something to make it easier. You want this because it doesn’t cost you a monthly fee. We like to help our tradies out where we can. Therefore, we have created a template that you can use. To use this template, you will need Excel or a freeware compatible software for Excel. A simple search on Google should help you find one. Customisation of the template This template is 100% free for you to use. We haven’t password protected it or placed any advertising in it. We want you to maintain your professional and expert look when managing your business. Once downloaded, we recommend you fill in all your details first up and save that as your master template. That way you only have to fill those details once. Each time you open it, save it as a new name. Then just enter your builder’s  details and job details and quantities. We have ‘protected’ the cells containing the formulas, which are the brain of your spreadsheet. They perform all those calculations. The reason we have done this is so you can’t accidentally type over them. If you want to add your logo to the template to give it that extra professional look and feel – that is easy. First, you will need to go to the Review tab and select “Unprotect Sheet”. Then go to the “Insert” tab. Click in the top right corner and click “Pictures”. Browse your computer for your logo. After that, go back to the Review Tab and select “Protect Sheet”. Finally, just click OK. That action just re-protects the spreadsheet’s formulas so you can’t overwrite them.  Tell me if you like it If you have found this useful, please leave us a Facebook like. Or even better, a Google review (you will need a Gmail account to do a Google review). You don’t have to, but feedback inspires me to create more useful content for you! DOWNLOAD THE INVOICE TEMPLATE HERE We also have a free Quote Template available here Legalities: This template may not contain everything required for your business. In using this template, you accept that it is your responsibility to ensure you have appropriate financial and legal advice for your business or company. We are not financial or legal advisers. By using this template, you also agree that you are responsible for checking calculations and ensuring accuracy on an ongoing basis. You will not hold CDBS Construction and Garden liable for any inaccuracies within the template. This template is for individual use for the purpose of preparing individual business invoices. This template is not to be copied, distributed or used in any other way without seeking consent from CDBS Construction and Garden Centre. This template is protected by copywrite. © CDBS Construction and Garden Centre – All rights reserved. See website T&C for further information.

Quoting jobs can be time consuming and nerve wracking. You’ve got to think ahead, and make sure you don’t miss anything or it could cost you. It could cost you big time. At CDBS Construction Centre, we want to help our customer’s work smarter. Don’t reinvent the wheel each time you do a quote… you’ll be just asking for trouble. Not only will it take longer each time, but one day you’ll forget to include something… and it will hurt. To get your business to grow, it’s good to get into the habit of streamlining tasks… think about how you can work more efficiently… What can you do to save time? And if you’re smart… how can you reinvest that time to get better results? Quoting Bricklaying Jobs can be easier and faster with CDBS Construction Center’s Free Expert Quote Checklist. You might be wondering why a brickie tool shop would create a free quoting checklist? It seems a bit out of scope? We don’t think so. The whole reason we own a bricklaying speciality store is because we own a bricklaying business. We bought this store because of this experience and passion with the trade. So we have first hand experience on what it takes to build a bricklaying business from the ground up. We have done this through hard work, plenty of mistakes, some guts, and lots of learning… The most important thing we learned is how to focus. Focusing on what the dream is, and what tasks  are most likely to get us there. While other people are stuck in the daily grind, dealing with small issues that stop them from making real progress… we try and focus on the most important things that usually make all that little stuff just disappear. We believe you can do the same to grow your business. We use our little tool shop to share our experiences, and our learning. We use our tool shop to give some time back to brickies Writing articles on tools, and providing free templates like this to help build businesses. Sending professional tools directly to homes and worksites … getting rid of just another insignificant job of your to-do list. So why use a bricklaying quote checklist? There is no better way to save time than to record all the variables that you might need to quote for in one spot. That way you’re less likely to miss something which will end up costing your hip pocket. We have got you started with this checklist. It contains common things you may need to quote on for bricklaying jobs. Even better, if you input your quantities and price it will auto-calculate the totals for you. What’s best is you can add to the list yourself as well… and it is simple to do. Once added, your extra items will auto-calculate as well. How do I use this checklist All you need to do is enter your Unit Price and Quantities and the rest works like magic. All the sums will total up for you. Once you are sure you’ve included everything, you can go ahead and put your quote together. All you need is excel, or a freeware compatible software for excel (a simple search on google for “freeware excel” should help you find one)

What could be worse than choosing the wrong chainsaw for the job? Picking the wrong chainsaw blades. But it can be hard to navigate all the different types of chainsaw chains available. You might be wondering what is the difference in chainsaw chains? There are a large number of different chainsaw blades. Each type is made up from a configuration of the following 5 elements: The pitch and gauge are predetermined by your chainsaw. Once you know this, you can choose from the remaining elements to design a chain. When it comes to making sure you have the right replacement chainsaw blade, you don’t want to cut corners with your chainsaw’s chain. So we have pulled all the information together in one spot to make this the only chainsaw chain guide you will ever need! We have made sure this guide to chainsaw chain types has enough detail to equip you to make an informed decision just like pro. What is the difference in chainsaw chains? We are now going to go through step by step each element in our chainsaw chain types chart pictured at the top of this blog. We have put together the following detailed outline of the different types of chainsaw blades, and a chainsaw chain replacement chart pictured at the top of this blog. This chainsaw chain identification chart goes through all the elements you need to consider at a high level to choose the right chain saw chain. Read on to learn more detail about each element outlined in our chainsaw chain types chart. This will help you work out the best chainsaw chain for your wood cutting project. First up: Choose a chain saw chain that matches your chainsaw settings! Before you delve into all the different types of chainsaw chains. There is something vitally important I have to tell you about chains for chainsaws. Some aspects of your chainsaw chain you can choose based on your skill levels and the type of chainsaw cutting projects. Other aspects are set by the machine you have. There are many chainsaw chain differences across the board, and there are no universal chainsaw chains. The ‘pitch’ and ‘gauge’, and also to some degree the length of the bar, are determined by your chainsaw. You can’t choose these aspects of a chain saw chain. Pitch and Gauge The pitch and gauge are key compatibility components of the chain saw chain. It is for this reason that there are no universal chainsaw chains. You need to make sure the chain saw chain you choose is actually going to fit into the part that drives the chain around the guide bar. If your chain saw chain does not match the settings on your chainsaw, the chain will jam up and won’t work, and the guide bar will lock up. You need to know your chainsaw’s pitch and gauge This is the first thing you need to know when working out which chainsaw chain to choose. You should be able to find your chainsaw’s pitch and gauge marked on your chainsaw or in your manufacturers handbook. When it is marked on the chainsaw, it is usually on a label under the handle. You can see in this picture of a Husqvarna chainsaw, the chainsaw pitch and gauge is noted as well as the length of the guide bars that can be used. We will also go further into the different types of pitch and gauge below for those of you who are in the market for a new chainsaw. Length of the Chainsaw Guide Bar When it comes to the length of the guide bar you have a little bit of room for choice. Technically, any length guide bar will fit on any size chainsaw as long as the pitch and gauge match. But… The bigger the chainsaw guide bar the more force you need to apply when driving it into the wood. For a bigger bar, you also need more power (cc’s). Especially when you consider a bigger bar is normally used on thicker pieces of wood. For this reason, manufacturer’s provide a recommended guide bar length for their chainsaws. It’s probably a good idea to stick with the recommendation. If you want to put a bigger bar on, we advise you to only go up one size from the manufacturers recommendation. Ok, now you know the importance of the pitch, gauge and bar length, lets talk about what sizes and configurations are available. Let’s now delve into the nitty gritty of the different chainsaw chain types… Guide to the Different Type of Chainsaw Blades So now you understand what the gauge and pitch actually are, we are going to start looking in detail about the different sizes, shapes, and styles of all components of a chainsaw blade and what each is good for. Also, to use a chainsaw safely, you must know about the different types of chainsaw blade options, and when one is better to use than another. If you don’t use the right type of chainsaw blade, you run the risk of breaking it. This can not only cost you money but can also be dangerous. There are a large number of different types of chainsaw blades. Various configurations of pitch, gauge, cutter material, cutter style and chain arrangement all create unique chainsaw chain types. Each chainsaw chain type has different cutting characteristics and is suited to different machines and user skill level. Read on to learn about each of the configurations that can be put together to make different chainsaw chain types. 1. Chain Pitch Chain saw chains come in different pitch sizes. The pitch of the chains is the distance between the drive links. As mentioned above, the pitch is an important compatibility component of your chainsaw chain. The pitch of the chain, the pitch of the guide bar and the pitch of the chainsaw drive sprocket need to all match. The pitch that is compatible with your chainsaw is usually marked on

When you’re just starting out, this quote template is professional looking and easy to use. We like to help our tradies out where we can. This is why we provide this template for you. All you need is excel, or a freeware compatible software for excel. A simple search on google should help you find one. This quote template will auto-calculate your sums. However, it’s always good practice to double-check with your trusty calculator old pal just to be sure! Customisation of the template This template is no strings-attached free for you to use. There are no password protections or any advertising placed within the template. Such additions would make the template look cheap and nasty. That’s the last thing we would want for you in managing your business. Once downloaded, after you have input all your details save a copy as your master template. That way you only have to fill those details once. Every time you open it, save it as a new name. Then just enter your builder’s details, job details, and quantities. The parts are ‘protected’ as they contain the formulas. These formulas are the brain of your spreadsheet, performing all the maths. The protection is just so you can’t accidentally type over them and ruin the calculation functionality. If you have your own logo and want to add it- it is simple. You will first need to go to the Review tab, and select “Unprotect Sheet”. Then go to the “Insert” tab, click in the top right corner and click “Pictures”. Afterwards, browse your computer for your logo. After that, go back to the Review Tab and select “Protect Sheet”. Finally, just click OK. Let me know what you think! I hope you are loving what we do. Please give us a Facebook like. Alternatively, you could leave a Google review . You will need a gmail account to do a Google review. Any feedback inspires me to write more content for you! DOWNLOAD THE TEMPLATE HERE We also have a free Invoice template available to download. Legalities: This template may not contain everything required for your business. In using this template, you accept that it is your responsibility to ensure you have appropriate financial and legal advice for your business or company. We are not financial or legal advisers. By using this template, you also agree that you are responsible for checking calculations and ensuring accuracy on an ongoing basis. You will not hold MRWB Trust Pty Ltd trading as CDBS Construction Centre liable for any inaccuracies within the template. This template is for individual use, specifically for preparing individual business quotes. This template is not to be copied, distributed or used in any other way without seeking consent from CDBS Construction Centre. This template is protected by copyright. © CDBS Construction Centre – All rights reserved. See website T&C for further information.

When you’re in the market for a new electric pressure washer, you need to know how to find the option to get your specific job done. But with so many pressure washers on the market these days, it’s easy to get confused. There are pressure washers designed to help you wash a home before a paint job. There are also smaller options designed to help you clean a deck, and even pressure washers for gutters. Of course, you also have more industrial options for larger jobs. We’ve created this post to help connect you to the product that’s the best fit for you, your employees, and your job site. Read on to find the perfect electric pressure washer for you. How To Find The Right Electric Pressure Washer Step 1: Consider The Size When it comes to pressure washers, there are three different types to choose from: If you’re interested in handling smaller jobs, like gutter cleaning and deck washing, then consumer grade will likely be the best fit. It’s also good for more delicate objects and areas. Consumer grade pressure washers usually only pump out cold water. They use anywhere from 4 to 15 litres of water and cleaning solution a minute. Semi-pro pressure washers also pump out cold water and can use about eight to 23 litres per minute. Usually, these options will also come with a larger engine and a pump. Do you frequently use pressure washers on your job sites, even if you don’t always have huge jobs? Well then, these options may work best for you. However, if you need to run your pressure washer for hours at a time, every day, you’ll need the professional grade option. These washers use cold, hot, and warm water to get the job done. They can also use up to 38 litres of water a minute. Step Two: Consider The Job Now that you know about the different sizes of pressure washers, what comes next? Well, you need to think about the type of work you need to get done. In general, you can use a consumer option for things like getting rid of small stains and washing cars. You can also use them for getting grime out of shutters and window units and blasting away surface-level mold. If you need to handle small to medium-sized jobs and want to shave off the time they take, then go for the semi-pro option. It works for washing decks, cleaning signage, and even stripping off chipped paint. They’ll also work on cleaning sidewalks and driveways. Additionally, semi-pro washers use less water than their consumer grade cousins. They also don’t need as much power to boot up and run. Do you have a bigger job that needs to get done, like getting rid of graffiti or stripping the paint off of a home? Do you have to eliminate deep-seated mildew or mold, or even removing siding? Then it’s best to call in the big guns, especially if you’re working on a commercial job site. Nothing’s worse than wasting time dealing with shoddy pressure washer. Ensure you stay on schedule and do a thorough job by investing in a professional washer. Where Can You Buy The Equipment You Need Online? Thanks to this guide, not only do you know what to look for when you’re in the market for a new electric pressure washer, you also have a few suggestions to get you started. We also have the Aussie Pumps range of ultra tough petrol pressure washers for serious construction applications and we just order them in on request. Read more about our Garden Center here The only thing left to do? Start shopping. That’s where we come in. At CDBS Garden and Construction Centre, we’re committed to selling you the latest advancements in equipment and machinery, no matter your price point, industry, or industrial needs. If you are in Canberra and surrounds we are even able to repair any of your faulty construction machinery, as well as to rent out the machinery and equipment you need for a one-time job. What are you waiting for?

Maybe it’s because your home, like a majority of the other residential dwellings in Australia, consists primarily of bricks. Or, perhaps because of the fact that this industry is worth $3 billion. Or, maybe it’s due to the surge in new construction and engineering projects, which means demand for these professionals will rise. Or it could be for the simple reason you love doing it, which is why you want to keep honing your skills and mastering the art and science of laying brick. Whichever the case is, we’d like to congratulate you for wanting to improve your techniques even more. Now the question is, which ones can really help you become a better bricklayer? Worry not, as we’re here to help. We’ve rounded up the top tips that can help you pave the way to your success as a bricklayer. So, make sure to read on! First and Foremost: Make Sure You Have All the Basic Tools of the Trade Before you can even start laying bricks, you first need to have the basic tools. Even if you already have a bricklayer’s toolbox, it’s still important to make sure you’ve got all the essentials. And that they’re not rusted, with broken handles, or suffer from any other flaws. The basic tools of the trade include pointed trowels, bolster chisels, club hammers, spirit level, spade, and tape measure. Don’t forget to have some soft brushes and a tape measure. These tools are so important that you can already build a mansion with them. To take things to a castle level, you may want to invest in the following too: Now, you have the essential tools, but what about the bonding tasks? Good quality cement, sand, and stone are crucial to brick laying. And for you to mix mortar, you’d also need a hose pipe and a bucket. With these, you’re all set to start shopping for bricks. Polish Up on Your Knowledge of Brick Types In Australia, we’re lucky to have access to various types of top-of-the-line bricks. And knowing what your options are is a critical step to learning how to lay bricks (or at least improving your techniques). This is especially true since there are now so many to select from! There are the standards and the specials, and you can even have them customised. To make classification of these brick products easier, it’s best you know them according to their types. Let’s take a look: Facing Traditionally, the term “facing” in bricks used to only refer to ornamental elements placed on the exterior side of a building wall. Nowadays though, you’ll find these have extended into any bricks with a good frost-resistance rating. Hollow Hollow bricks feature a hollow space of about 20% of their entire dimension. These are great for improving a building’s heat insulation. Their low weight, combined with their bigger sizes, makes laying them to build walls quicker. Keep in mind though, that these bricks aren’t ideal for load-bearing walls. The huge empty space inside them can make the wall easy to topple when placed with immense weight or forces. Solid High frost-resistance rating, extreme hardness, and ease of use are three of the characteristics of solid bricks that make them popular. Perforated If you’re planning to put up a DIY brick interior wall, perforated bricks can do the trick. The same goes for the innermost portions of cavity walls. Just be sure that they’re in compliance with the rigorous Australian standards. Cut and Roll A lot of newcomers to the world of bricklaying find the cutting and rolling of mortar too slow to their tastes. The thing is, the cut and roll technique is far more efficient, not to mention cost-saving since you can get the most out of your mortar. Just think about it: When you stick your trowel into your mortar pile and then lift a huge chunk of it onto the wall, what do you think will happen? Most likely, most of what you’ve put on the trowel will fall off. And from there, the mortar smears the brickwork’s surface. Even when you successfully get the mortar onto the surface, you still are at risk of “overbedding.” When this happens, you’re only creating more work and problems to deal with later on. Not to mention the added pressure and stress on the wet course. The result? Your bricks may tip and dislodge. More work right? Not to mention a lot of waste of materials. As such, make it a habit to cut the mortar down starting from the very top. Use the trowel’s blade for this. Then, roll the mortar before you lift it to the wall. Relaxed and Slow is Key Everyone wants to finish brickwork projects as soon as possible. After all, it’s very exciting to see the results of one’s hard work. But when it comes to laying brick, especially the bedding part, make sure you keep yourself relaxed. Slowly and gently pile the bricks on top of each other. Avoid putting too much pressure as you apply a downward force on each brick. This way, you can prevent tipping of the bricks. Also, prepare yourself to catch any surplus mortar as you lay the bricks. Remember, bricks will sink into the bed because of their weight, which will then “squeeze out” excess mortar. To do this, run the trowel blade’s sharp side along the brickwork’s face. Make sure that the back of your trowel sits as near to the surface as possible. Then, as the surplus mortar oozes out, quickly turn the trowel to catch it before it falls. Laying Brick the Right Way is Only as Good as Your Materials and Supplies As a final reminder, make sure that the materials you use when laying brick are of top-notch quality. Your techniques may be the best out there, but if you use cheap or low-quality materials, then you can expect your hard work to go to waste. Want more useful and handy articles like this? Then make sure you check our blogsite out!

Wondering how to boost your concrete finishing game? You need the right speciality tools to get the job done, no matter what the job is. With a good arsenal of concrete grinding tools at your disposal, you’ll never have to turn down concrete finishing work opportunities. In this guide, we’ll walk you through what you need to learn about concrete grinding and the best tools for the job. Keep reading to learn what concrete grinding tools you need to keep on hand for your concrete finishing needs. What is Concrete Grinding? The concrete grinding industry is still relatively new, so you may not be familiar with it yet. Before we get into the best tools to have on hand, let’s take a look at what you’ll be using those tools for. This industry is growing fast, thanks to the attention of architects, property owners, engineers, and other influencers. If you haven’t added concrete grinding to your repertoire yet, you should – this industry is sure to grow even more. Industry Growth If you’re new to the business, you may think that grinding or polishing is as simple as applying abrasives to the bottom of a machine. However, you’ll quickly learn that it’s much more complex than that. This process is actually quite technical, and there are a number of variables you’ll need to keep in mind while you work. If you’re not experienced with the equipment and methods, and don’t know how to factor in the variables, you could run into problems quickly. Some variables will be outside your range of control, while there are others you’ll need to learn to control while you’re working with concrete grinding. One more thing to keep in mind while building your business is to price things appropriately. With a new, popular service like concrete polishing, it’s tempting to base prices on what other contractors are charging. However, you should actually price based on your expenses plus the profit you need to make. You’ll have even more success in the industry if you know how to impact your knowledge to the customer, so they know exactly what you’re doing every step of the way. Grinding, Polishing, or Processing? Concrete grinding is slightly mislabeled: it’s actually concrete processing. You’re not exactly polishing or grinding the surface with your tools, so much as you are processing it the same way an optical lens would be processed. In concrete processing or “grinding,” what you’re really doing is changing the current surface of the concrete by a mechanical process that cuts or otherwise refines the surface until it has the right finish. Polished concrete is a common end goal of this process, but it’s not the only one. Abrasives can be used to get a variety of different textures, hence the term “grinding.” For the most part, people talk about either grinding or polishing as separate processes. However, if you get the right specialty equipment and training, you’ll easily be able to tackle both jobs. If the end goal is polished concrete, the process will involve first grinding, then honing, then polishing the surface. You’ll need to invest in the correct equipment for each step. And, of course, within each step, there are really multiple steps. You can’t hone a concrete surface all at once, for example. Instead, you’ll need to work through a series of abrasives with a consecutively finer grit, leading you to the finish you want. While in this process, you also need to know the correct times to apply a densifier or hardener to make the concrete more hard or dense using a chemical reaction. Although there are similarities between grinding, polishing, and processing, they aren’t quite the same. Using just grinding and honing, you can get a finish of a high, medium, or low sheen, without ever going through the polishing process. A Closer Look at the Steps Since it’s important to understand the steps involved in this processing when choosing your equipment, let’s take a closer look. 1. Ground Concrete This is the lowest category of processing steps. A grinding step uses grit abrasives of about 50-grit resin and below. These surfaces have dull, flat appearances with minimal or no sheen. 2. Honed Concrete This is the next-highest category of steps. Honing steps use abrasives that run from 100-grit resin to 400-grit resin, give or take. These honed surfaces are generally matte in appearance, but may also have a slight, medium, or even high sheen to them. 3. Polished Concrete Finally, polishing is the highest category in the concrete processing steps. For polishing, you’ll need abrasives of 800-grit resin to about 1000-grit or even 1500-grit. Polished concrete has a very reflective, shiny, mirror-like surface. Variables in the Process This process may sound simple, but it’s actually fairly technical, which is why having the right equipment is so important. Now, let’s look at the variables that can influence your results. First, things like equipment and abrasive quality are easy for you to control. Other variables are outside of your control, though, like how flat or level the surface is, and the design of the concrete mix. You’ll need to learn to work with your equipment through all of the variables you may encounter. Specialty Tools to Use Which speciality tools are best for concrete grinding? For small jobs, a hand-held grinder is a great choice. These are also great for detail work. Angle grinders allow you to reach every corner easily. If you want to polish your concrete floor slab, you probably want to use a large grinder that can cover surfaces fast. If you’re not a concreter by trade, you are probably best to hire a machine out or look for a professional. In addition to grinders, you’ll probably want polishers to round out your capabilities. Don’t forget diamond tools to get the job done effectively. The whole process creates a lot of toxic concrete dust, so don’t forget to invest in an industrial floor vacuum for safe cleanup. Compacting and

Most people think that picking the right masonry drill bit is easy and straightforward. But that’s not true. Choosing a drill bit that matches your project’s needs can be confusing and time-consuming because of the diverse drill types available. It’s much more complicated than you might think. Tips to get you the perfect Masonry Drill Bit for Your Project In this piece, we are going to discuss tips that will help you pick drill bits that match your project needs. The tips will also help you avoid the mistakes that most buyers make when selecting masonry drill bits. Here are the tips and factors to consider when choosing drill bits: The Type of Job You Are Doing The choice of drill bit largely depends on the project at hand. If you’ll be drilling small holes into light concrete or artificial stones, you can go for any masonry drill bit. You should, however, avoid bits made of substandard material regardless of the quality of concrete you’ll be drilling. They’ll overheat quickly and do a shoddy job. If you’re dealing with hard concrete and natural stones, ordinary drill bits are not for you. Go for drill bits that have tungsten carbide or durum tips. They are usually stronger, more efficient, and penetrate hard surfaces better and faster than the typical drill bits. However, it’s advisable to choose a high-quality drill bit if you intend to use it for different tasks. Compatibility with Your Masonry Drill What type of drill do you use? This is another important question that you should ask yourself. You should choose a drill bit that is compatible with your drill type. This will make your job easy and smooth. It’ll also help ensure that your drill will never be damaged by discordant drill bits. You need to examine the drill bit shank and ensure it’ll be grasped perfectly by the chuck of your drill. However, choosing a drill bit that’s compatible with your drill does not necessarily mean that you have to buy bits of the same brand. No! Manufacturers are now coming up with universal drill bits that are compatible with almost all drills. Do thorough research and you’ll find out which drill bits are compatible with your drill and which ones are not. You can even carry your drill to the store to try the bits before you buy them. This will help ensure you don’t make any mistakes. Drill Bit Material When selecting a drill bit, you have to consider the material it’s made of. There are masonry drills bits made of low carbon steel. These drill bits are cheap and can be used to drill soft surfaces. However, they overheat quickly, are less efficient, and don’t last long. Besides, they cannot be used on hard surfaces. Some drill bits are made of high-speed steel (HSS). These bits are a bit more expensive than those made of low carbon steel. Thankfully, the high-speed steel bits can be used on hard surfaces, have good heat resistance and usually last long. If you go for a drill bit made of HSS, however, make sure it’s coated with carbide, diamond powder, or even titanium carbon nitride. This helps make it tough and good for masonry. The coating also helps reduce corrosion and wear. You can also choose masonry bits made of tungsten carbide. These are the bits you want for your masonry project. They’re tough, highly durable, and resistant to heat. Regardless of the of the type drill bit you choose, the golden rule here is to ensure that you pick a drill bit that is made of a high-quality and durable material, which is coated with carbide, diamond powder or titanium carbon nitride. The Size of the Drill Bits Drill bit sizes range from 3mm to 16mm. When it comes to length, there are standard lengths, but there also long masonry drill bits that range from 300 to 400 mm. The size and length of the drill bit you choose depend on the length or the size of the holes you want to make. It’s important to ensure the bit you choose has exactly the same size as the hole you are going to make. Going for a bit that is a little bit larger than the hole you wish to create is also fine. What about the length? In most instances, you’ll need a drill bit of standard length, but like we mentioned, there are longer bits if you need something longer. Make Sure it’s actually a Masonry Drill Bit There are many types of drill bits out there. While some are meant for wood, others are specially designed for glass, metals, and masonry projects. Therefore, you want to ensure that the bit you pick is meant for masonry. There are two types of masonry drill bits: tungsten carbide drill bits and diamond hole saw. These drill bits are effective in penetrating stones, concrete block, solid concrete, and other hard and soft materials found in the construction world. The good news is that they rarely overheat and are highly durable. You can also use them to drill holes in timber is you need to. You should, however, note that the holes will be rough. Avoid Cheap Bits Yes, it’s good to consider the price when buying drilling bits, but that does not mean that you should go for cheap bits. Cheap bits are usually made of substandard material and have a history of overheating and shattering when subjected to pressure. Buying them is a waste of your hard earned money, not to mention that they can ruin or delay your project. Go for quality. There are thousands of high-quality drill bits out there that are reasonably priced. Advice from the Field Drilling into brickwork requires the right tools and techniques to ensure efficiency and safety. The team at Rednax observes that many DIY enthusiasts and even some professionals underestimate the importance of using appropriate equipment. “We often encounter situations where individuals attempt to drill into brick without the proper masonry bits

With an annual growth of 3.9% in the industry and an average of $1 million in revenue, now is the perfect time to start your own landscaping business. If you’re thinking of creating a landscaping company, there are tons of things to get figured out. One of these is landscaping tools. Despite how trivial it may sound, having the right supplies is essential to your landscaping success. Not only do people want excellent communication, service, and cost, but the job itself should be high quality. Fear not – we have compiled the ultimate landscaping tools list. Here are the best landscaping tools to have for your business so you can grow yards and your company. Basic tools checklist for General Lawn and Gardening To maintain your lawn and garden efficiently, you need reliable tools built for tough jobs. Here are the essentials: Quality matters – Choose tools made with stainless steel, fiberglass, or metal, and look for rubber grips for comfort. Well-maintained tools made from durable materials will serve you longer and improve results in your landscaping work. Moving from basic Gardening to Landscape Construction: Professional Landscapers need to know a lot more than basic Lawn and Landscape maintenance. Because the work they do overlaps in work done by other trades, landscapers need to know a bit about everything. Landscapers need more knowledge and equipment to handle the tasks. Retaining Walls: Retaining walls can be build from a variety materials with the most popular being: Experienced landscapers generally have decent knowledge in basic bricklaying for building low retaining walls. But as a professional you need to know your local regulations on retaining wall construction as they vary from council to council. Factors such as height, proximity to property boundaries, easements, sewers or water lines might mean council approval and a requirement for you to hold a license. Laying concrete Despite what many people think, there is a lot that goes into laying concrete. Within the concreting trade, there are different niches. Some concreters specialise on formwork, which is making the frame (form) for the concrete to be poured into. Others focus on concrete grinding and polishing, which is the process of taking the top off the concrete once it is dry to expose the rock and other aggregate that makes up the concrete and then polishing it so it is a beautifully smooth surface. Landscapers often have to lay concrete foot paths, or even the basic concrete slab for a tool shed. Depending on the size, when they are experienced in this, they will often create the form themselves and pour the concrete. Other concrete may need to be laid to do a neat and profession garden edge. Paving The art of paving can make a landscape look amazing and professional landscapers know that a perfect balance of paving and greenery can also make the area very comfortable to use. From outdoor patio slabs, to walk ways, poolside, and garden edging pavers laid correctly are guaranteed to last. Pavers cover a wide range from brick, concrete, terracotta, granite, limestone and travertine and can be designed in any pattern to suit your style and budget. Hand tools for Landscaping Construction (not Gardening) As professional landscapers are using skill sets across bricklaying, carpentry, concreting, concrete form work and even concrete grinding it makes sense that the hand tools they use are the quality used by the masters of those individual trades. Brick Trowel Just because bricklayer isn’t in your title, does that mean you should go to the chain hardware store and buy the cheapest trowel you can find? There is a reason, brickies don’t buy low grade trowels and that is because they don’t last and they are not built with comfort in mind. Why don’t they last? Cheap brick trowels are spot welded at the shank- that is the point where the handle meets the blade. They will snap at that point. They are fine for the DIY home handyman, but a professional construction worker wants tools that will last job after job. Premium trowels are made from one piece of steel- this is called solid forged. Another thing to consider is the trowel balance. High quality trowels have been designed to reduce the stress and fatigue on your wrist and arm that comes with prolonged use. For any trowel you will be using over and over, look after your body and get one designed for professionals. The most popular brick trowel in Australia is the Marshalltown Brick Trowel, but they are by no means the only high quality option. Also leading the field are WRose Brick Trowels, WHS Brick Trowels, and OX Tools Brick Trowels. If you want to see our recommended high quality brick trowels and the different styles available, we have listed them altogether here. Brick Carrier The inventor of a brick carrier has saved brickies so much time over the years. Picking up 6 bricks at a time, you can really move some bricks with a brick carrier in each hand. This handy tool has many affectionate names like, six pack, brick tongs and brick grabs. The last thing you want to do is waste time, moving bricks by hand without on or two of these useful tools. A good quality brick carrier like the BT engineering brick carrier will only cost you around $30 – a small price to pay for the time saved. String Line, Line Blocks and Line Pins No brickie goes anywhere without his string line, line blocks and line pins, so if you are a landscaper laying bricks, you should not either. Stringline: One of the most underrated tools that produces so much efficiency if used correctly. When using a string line, you do not have to use leveling tools as often which means you get level work at a much faster pace. When choosing your string line there are a couple of things to consider. You want a line that is braided not twisted. Twisted string line will fray making it difficult to use. a Tight