Using a Demo Hammer as a Compactor

[Flyboy]

This could possibly be the silliest question ever asked on this forum but anyway, I'll give it a shot .....

Got a bit of paving to do and I also own an el cheapo demo hammer. Would there be any way I could use the hammer as a compactor, rather than going out to hire one? The thought never crossed my mind, but I was watching a couple of blokes driving some pile formwork into a river bed, using a jackhammer onto a plate over the cylindrical formwork. Could I use the demo hammer over a square of plywood/metal/whatever those blokes were using in place of a compactor?

Feel free to laugh out loud

[DavidG]

Why not ????????
Cut the point of a drill bit and weld a plate on.

I am looking for an old drill bit to cut off and make into a steel post driver.

[ozwinner]

People use this very same method when constructing rammed earth houses.

Al

[Burnsy]

I think you would have a pretty sore back after using a demo hammer to compact any resonable area of paving, I know mine aches just after digging out a basic hole using mine. As an ex-landscaper I would recommend hiring one, they are not that expensive and you will get a much better finish on your paving. Many hire shops do half day hire. If it a very samll area or a patch you are best using a decent lump of steel on a pole as a hand stamper. Remember that when using clay or smaller cement paving you will get the best result by spreading jointing sand over the paving after it is layed before running the compactor over it again with a piece of carpet under it's plate.

[rat52]

I agree with burnsy, anything over 3sqm hire the right tools for the job.

[Flyboy]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I have 5 small areas to pave, each about 2.5 sqm with a concrete step in between each. I used a hand tamper for the first area, but will give the demo hammer a go. Just want to avoid doing 5 half day hires

Cheers

[Burnsy]

Unless you are building the steps as you go so need one lot of paving done before you can finish the step to set the next level, compact them all at the same time. As long as no-one is running around on them or digging them up they will stay compacted, especially if you have some clay content in your paving sand. If you can't do this I still rekon the hand tamper is the way to go, big lump of sleeper on a broom handle works well. keep us informed if you use the Demo hammer, I would like to know the outcome.

[Flyboy]

Gave it a go yesterday and it seemed to work ok. Still experimenting at this stage but tried it using a piece of board with some plate screwed to it to stop the bit going through. Way easier and quicker than the hand tamper, but can see what you're saying with a sore back doing larger areas.
Don't think it did wonders for the bit either