Do-it-yourself cinder blocks: analysis of the production process and recipes + construction of a vibrating machine

Do-it-yourself vibrating machine for cinder blocks

Making cinder blocks at home is a very profitable investment. Especially if you make a vibrating machine for cinder blocks for this work with your own hands. In this case, you will be able to save on the purchase of a factory vibrating table, without any loss in the quality of the resulting product.

Everyone knows that cinder block is a building material for any time. Houses made from it are strong and reliable, and the material itself is harmless and has excellent performance properties.

Features of the material

Cinder block is a building material that has proven itself to be one of the most durable and unpretentious.
It has considerable dimensions, especially if you place an ordinary brick next to it. You can make slag blocks not only in a factory setting. Some craftsmen undertake this work at home. If you strictly adhere to the technology, you get high-quality and strong blocks from which you can build a house or any outbuilding. If a decision has been made to independently produce such products, then a number of its features should be taken into account.

• Cinder block is a fireproof material. It does not ignite itself, and does not intensify an existing flame.
• Really good quality blocks make long-lasting and sustainable homes/outbuildings. Such buildings will not be harmed by harsh climatic conditions, hurricanes, or constant gusty winds.
• Repairing cinder block buildings does not require extra effort and free time - all work can be completed in a short time.
• Cinder blocks are also distinguished by their large sizes, thanks to which buildings made from them can be erected very quickly, which pleases many builders.
• This material is durable. Buildings built from it can stand for more than 100 years without losing their previous characteristics.
• Another feature of cinder block is its soundproofing component. Thus, in dwellings made from this material there are no annoying street noises.

• The production of cinder blocks is carried out using various raw materials, so it is possible to select the optimal products for any conditions.
• What distinguishes cinder block is that it is not subject to attacks by various kinds of parasites or rodents. In addition, it does not rot, so it does not have to be coated with antiseptic solutions and other similar compounds designed to protect the base.
• Despite their decent dimensions, such blocks are light in weight. This feature is noted by many masters. Due to their lightness, these materials can be easily moved from one place to another without calling a crane. However, it must be taken into account that some types of such products are still quite heavy.
• Cinder block is not afraid of low temperatures.
• These blocks are distinguished by their high heat capacity, thanks to which they make cozy and warm homes.
• Temperature fluctuations do not harm the cinder block.

Cinder block buildings are usually decorated with decorative materials to give a more aesthetic appearance.

However, it is very important to remember that the cinder block cannot be covered with ordinary plaster (any “wet” work with this material should not be carried out). You can also use a special decorative block, which is often used instead of expensive cladding. When working with cinder block, it is important to take into account one important feature - this material is characterized by high water absorption, so it must be protected from contact with moisture and dampness. Otherwise, the blocks may collapse over time. Unfortunately, the geometry of the slag blocks leaves much to be desired

That is why, when laying floors from such material, you will have to constantly adjust individual elements - trim them and saw them. Cinder blocks have a relatively low cost.

Otherwise, the blocks may collapse over time. Unfortunately, the geometry of the slag blocks leaves much to be desired. That is why, when laying floors from such material, you will have to constantly adjust individual elements - trim them and saw them. Cinder blocks have a relatively low cost.

Creating a Form

First of all, you need to decide what kind of machine you need. If you want to build a garage or temporary shed, then a machine with two or even one mold is enough. If you are going to organize a small business, then you will need a more productive machine, at least for 3-4 matrices.

Cinder block dimensions

The most important part of the machine is the shape. The remaining parts and assemblies are additions that allow you to perform various manipulations with this form.

For example - filling, lifting, compacting the solution, moving, etc.

When producing cinder blocks, the plant uses standard iron molds, as well as professional equipment that presses concrete into a mold under a weight of several tons. Do-it-yourself cinder block molds are most often made from wood. There are many types and designs.

In essence, the form is a container into which concrete is poured and where it remains until it hardens completely. It should be noted that the forms must be collapsible so that the finished cinder block can be easily removed. In most cases, they are even made without a bottom, and a plate of material to which concrete does not stick is placed under the bottom.

The easiest way to create voids in a block is to immerse plastic water bottles or glass champagne bottles, which is preferable, into soft concrete at the desired location. But, if you want to set up a small production of cinder blocks with your own hands, then the void formers must be fixed in the mold.

Sketch of a wooden mold

Made of wood

First of all, you will need planed boards, the width of which will correspond to the height of the cinder block. Then it is necessary to make the outer cross members, which will be connected to the longitudinal boards with “sliding grooves”.

Then cuts are made from the inside of the longitudinal boards at a distance equal to the length of the cinder block. The transverse grooves should have a depth of 7 - 8 mm. The width of the cut corresponds to the thickness of the separating plates, which can be made of iron, getinax, textolite.

Sketch of a form filled with solution

The plates can be made from other sheet material, the main thing is that it is smooth. The drawing above shows how to make wooden molds for cinder blocks with your own hands. It is advisable to open the mold details with any oil paint. This will make it easier to remove the cinder blocks from the mold.

Please note that the sketch shows smaller dimensions than a standard cinder block requires. Before creating the mold, you can make your own cinder block drawings

This procedure will not be superfluous and will not require much work.

The above forms are used without a vibrator. The solution in them should be poured into a softer solution with a higher water content. However, with a little effort, you can create a more advanced vibrating machine.

Form-stretcher

The molds for the vibrating table look a little different. Handles must be attached to the sides so that two people can lift them and place them on the vibrating table. There should be two cones at the bottom of each cell.

You should not make a mold with a large number of cells, as such a stretcher will be very difficult to lift. Such forms cannot be disassembled, and the cinder blocks from them are shaken out by tipping them over. The internal surfaces of the mold must be smooth so that the products can be easily removed.

The photo shows a metal form

Made of metal

When creating a machine for making cinder blocks with your own hands, you will need a steel sheet 3-5 mm thick. Shape elements should be cut out of it based on the size of the cinder block. The standard is 190x190x390 mm; in accordance with these dimensions, do-it-yourself cinder block drawings are made. The height of the form should be 5 mm above the block so that you can pour the concrete mixture and press it on top with a plate

Since the cinder block must be hollow, it is important to make the void formers correctly. The easiest way to use pipes for these purposes is

Please note that they need to be given a conical shape. Thanks to this, the product will be easily shaken out

Blanks can be ordered from a turner so that he can remove a few mm from one side of the pipe. Sometimes rectangular void formers are made. Their shape doesn't matter, the main thing is that they are conical. Keep in mind that the cinder block should be no more than 30% hollow.

A wooden or rubber seal should be made at the bottom of the mold along the perimeter to avoid deformation of the edges of the matrix. You can also weld metal plates 20 mm wide along the edges.

Vibrating table of the simplest design

What is the best way to fill the forms?

If you are setting up the production of cinder blocks at home, know that there is no universal composition; each master selects his own unique recipe, which is more suitable for a particular bathhouse and which depends on the existing slag. But the standard cinder block recipe is as follows: 7 parts slag, 2 parts sand and 2 parts gravel, 1.5 parts good cement (grade M400) and from one and a half to 3 parts water. The accepted dimensions of a cinder block are 39x19x20 cm, but dimensions of 40x20x20 cm are also used in private construction.

In addition to the slag itself, ash, other coal combustion waste, gravel, processed sawdust, perlite, stone and granite screenings, gypsum, broken bricks and the like are used as fillers for such blocks. For greater plasticity of the blocks, a plasticizer is also added - this is 5 grams per block, during vibration casting. For what? It is this substance that significantly increases the strength of the block, its frost resistance and water resistance, and eliminates cracks.

You need to measure the amount of water especially carefully: the blocks should not spread during removal. You can conduct the following test: if the solution crumbles when it falls to the ground, but comes together in your fist, this is what you need. By the way, concrete for the construction of a small bathhouse can be prepared manually, but for a more serious structure it is better to initially acquire an electric concrete mixer designed for a volume of 0.2-0.5 cubic meters.

The entire work process in 4 steps

It is advisable to make cinder blocks with your own hands not in the open air, as the craftsmen do in the video above, but it is better to do it in a room with a flat floor and good ventilation.

Here's how to make a good, high-quality cinder block at home:

• Step 1. Place a heaping solution into the mold, turn on the vibrator for 3-5 seconds and the solution settles. If it is not enough, you need to report, insert the clamp and turn on the vibrator again. As soon as the clamp settles on the stops, the formation is completed.
• Step 2. The vibration mold is turned on again for 5-10 seconds, after which the mold is removed - without turning off the machine.
• Step 3. The blocks will need to dry for five to seven days. And their complete hardening occurs within a month, at high humidity and in warmth.
• Step 4. After just a day, the blocks can be carefully moved - they will not break, but they need to be placed together after a week. But if a plasticizer was added to the blocks, then after 6-8 hours they can be removed from the site and stored.

Ready-made cinder blocks are stored in so-called pyramidal stacks, hundreds at a time and with small gaps between each other - so that the sides dry out well. A couple of months of drying - and you can build a new bathhouse!

What can you make a cinder block from?

What cinder blocks are made of is clear from the very name of the building material. One of the components of the cinder block solution is slag, which is formed as a result of coal processing.

Additionally, the blocks may include other materials: sawdust, crushed or old brick, metallurgical waste or products of coal combustion in boiler houses. All these materials will not interfere with the production of cinder blocks, as they will give them good thermal insulation properties.

The mixture also includes coarse sand, water and cement. To increase density, you can add concrete strengthening mixtures.

The standard composition of the mixture for blocks includes sand (2 parts), cement (1.5 parts), gravel (2 parts), slag (7 parts), 1.5-3 parts water. But in fact, not all craftsmen adhere to the standard recipe, preferring to make the composition depending on the available slag and the parameters of the future structure.

To ensure plasticity, when making cinder blocks at home, you can add a plasticizer to the composition (5 g per block). This component allows you to improve the strength of the block, its frost resistance and water resistance, and prevent the appearance of cracks. A plasticizer is added during vibration casting.

General requirements when performing work

You can make good blocks in the garage - the main thing is to know the technology and stick to the recipe. So, a standard cinder block is 39x19x188 mm, with three small holes. And to make it high quality and durable, it is important that:

• The sand was coarse;
• Slag – blast furnace;
• Cement – ​​high quality, not less than M400;
• Equipment – ​​with vibrocompression.

The slag itself is obtained by processing coal, and, in fact, it is an ideal filler for blocks. However, recently, thanks to the active conduction of gas, much less slag and ash from coal has begun to be produced. Therefore, slag is increasingly being replaced with zito concrete, which, unfortunately, is much more expensive.

This building material is rapidly gaining popularity mainly due to the fact that it is inexpensive and has excellent heat and sound insulation. In addition, let’s make calculations: making cinder blocks at home requires 0.011 cubic meters of solution at a ratio of 1:7 (this is for one piece). This means that one bag of cement will yield exactly 36 blocks – which is not bad at all!

One of the most important requirements for the quality of cinder blocks is their geometry. After all, the larger the unevenness and flaws in the blocks, the more money you will have to spend on building the walls. And in order for the cinder block to turn out perfectly smooth, it is important that the vibroform itself is always filled to the brim - otherwise the blocks will turn out crooked. And not just to the brim - but with a slide, because the vibration will then slightly shake the concrete.

The whole process looks like this: the vibrating mold is turned on once, after 5-15 seconds it turns off, and the level of the solution in the mold is assessed - if it is below the edges of the mold, you need to put a clamp on, turn on the vibration again - and when it hits the limiter, turn it off. This must be done at the same time: turn on the vibrator and pull out the shape.

How to make a block mold?

In production, the molds are made of iron or steel so that they can handle large volumes of solution, up to several tons. To produce such blocks with your own hands, you can use a wooden mold. In essence, you should get a formwork into which the cinder block mixture will be poured.

It is necessary to take into account the thickness of the wooden sheets when measuring, so that the dimensions of the future cinder block are the inside of the mold.

As a rule, to make it easier to remove the cinder block, the mold is made without a bottom, placing a film underneath. But it is necessary to ensure that the surface of the base is level, as are the wooden parts. The surface can be a flat table, a concrete surface or a sheet of iron.

To build load-bearing walls, hollow blocks are used, for which they use hollow bottles that form voids; they are pre-filled with water so that they do not float out of the solution.

Manufacturing method of a vibrating machine

Making a vibrating machine with your own hands is not a difficult task for an enterprising performer. Using a drawing, use a grinder to cut a steel sheet and, using welding, form a shape consisting only of side walls (if you plan to produce two, three or four blocks per cycle, take care of constructing partitions, which can be made from thin-walled material, 1.5-2 mm). If you adhere to current industrial standards, the size of a cinder block will be 190x188x390 mm, but no one forbids making blocks according to your own dimensions. From below, strips are welded to the shape of the vibrating machine, making the device stable (in case of strong vibrations, this is a mandatory requirement).

Manufacturing hollow products allows you to significantly save on cement and other components of the solution.

For this purpose, the matrix design provides for the presence of removable or rigidly fixed conical void formers. Since it is highly desirable to produce cinder blocks with exactly repeatable geometric dimensions, to ensure a standard height of the finished product, make a limiter below which the press will not fall.

Vibrocompression - compaction of a semi-dry concrete mixture when the latter, while in a mold, is subjected to pressure from above

The press is a plate with cutouts for void formers, to which handles are welded. It is with the help of a mold (and a vibrator, of course) that the mortar is compacted.

The motor is installed on the side face of the concrete block mold; the motor is turned into a vibration unit by an eccentric - this is an additional weight rigidly mounted on the motor shaft.

Minor design improvements will make it easier to form building blocks with your own hands. By providing the device with a simple lever system, you will reduce the physical effort expended when lowering the press. Equipping the brick making press with small wheels will make it possible to produce cinder blocks directly on the construction site, without the need for stacking.

Homemade machines with a vibrating device

Homemade machine diagram

Vibrating machines for making cinder blocks are more advanced equipment. Making blocks using them is faster and more convenient, since you don’t have to wait for the solution to set. In this case, the concrete solution is prepared more rigid and thick, it should have a slight shrinkage.

Technically, this is implemented in two ways:

using a vibrating table;

Vibrating table

equipping the mold itself with a motor, on the shaft of which an eccentric with a displaced center of gravity is installed.

A machine with an eccentric is more convenient for producing large quantities of material, since it allows you to obtain a finished block in one go without turning over.

Homemade machine according to the “laying hen” scheme

Machine – “laying hen”

The given drawing of a machine for making cinder blocks is one of the simplest.

Its design includes the following basic elements:

• molding box - matrix (it has no bottom);
• vibrator on the side wall;
• drawer handles designed for easy removal without damaging the impression shape;
• replaceable sets of pressure plates;
• void formers for various void shapes.

The current standard provides for the established dimensions of one such block - 39 x 19 x 18.8 cm. In this case, the voidness should not exceed 30%.

Matrix manufacturing

• Sheet metal is taken (from 3 mm);
• A shape is cut out of the sheet to the size of one block (5 cm is added to the indicated dimensions for compaction);
• A through box is formed (no bottom);

• Special strips welded at the ends give the box greater stability. For this purpose, profile pipes with a small cross-section are used;
• The base of the matrix is ​​upholstered with sheet rubber, which will serve to protect the lower edges of the matrix from deformation;
• An apron is formed for the edging, which will prevent the solution from spilling when filling the mold;
• Handles are attached.

Making cinder blocks at home

The cinder block is made in a special form by vibration shrinkage of concrete mixture poured inside. After the material hardens, the hollowness of the block is about 30%-40% (depending on the shape - round or square) of the total area. The resulting cavities not only save consumables during the production of cinder blocks, but also serve as air cushions for sound insulation. They are also excellent for reinforcing masonry, which gives walls maximum stability.

During manufacturing, it should be taken into account that the standard size of one cinder block is 39 x 19 x 18.5 centimeters. This is a standard, a generally accepted value from which builders build when designing and performing calculations. Therefore, strictly follow the parameters during home production of building blocks.

To produce cinder blocks on your own machine you will need:

• cement (M400, but better than M500);
• water;
• coal slag;
• gravel (about 10 millimeters in diameter);
• sand;
• plasticizer (strengthens and dries blocks much faster in 2-3 days);
• mesh seeder for cleaning sand from impurities;
• concrete mixer;
• shovel;
• pallets on which you will dry the building blocks.

Homemade machine for making blocks

This device will make it possible to obtain more reliable building materials, as well as speed up the production process itself. Assembling it does not promise any special difficulties in manufacturing, however, such equipment will be able to compete even with factory analogues.

The most basic version of a vibrocompression machine consists of a matrix, a hand press and a vibrator. To minimize physical stress, the “press” can be easily improved - use a lever system.

Materials, tools

To assemble a machine for making blocks, you need to prepare and/or purchase:

• sheet metal, minimum thickness - 3 mm;
• pipes for voids, diameter - from 8 to 10 mm;
• channel, metal strip (3 mm);
• electric motor (up to 1 kW);
• grinder, metal disc;
• welding machine;
• metalworking tools;
• vice;
• cotter pins;
• fasteners: bolts, nuts, washers.

The dimensions and shape of the matrix are chosen independently, since these parameters depend only on the scale of block production.

How is the equipment made?

The manufacture of a homemade vibratory pressing machine occurs according to the following scenario:

1. Using a grinder, blanks are cut out of sheet metal for the walls of the mold, as well as for internal partitions. An extra 50 mm is added to the height; it will be necessary for compacting concrete.
2. The pipe is cut into as many sections as necessary for the voids of all bricks made at the same time. Each of them must have three holes. The length of each element is less than the height of the matrix: the difference is 3-5 mm.
3. Cylindrical segments are converted into conical ones. The pipes are first cut to the middle, then the blanks are crimped in a vice. Now it’s time for welding work: this is connecting the sides of the crimped pipes, tightly welding the elements on both sides.
4. The next step is to connect each three blanks with metal plates. Then a plate is added from both edges of the “tubular” row for fastening to the walls. Holes are made in them for fixing to the eyes.
5. Cuts are made in the middle of each compartment. Eyelets are welded on the outside of the mold. They make it possible to temporarily attach pipes to obtain voids. In this case, by removing the cylinders, you can make solid cinder blocks.
6. By welding the outside of the long (or transverse, it depends on the size of the machine) wall, four bolts are welded to fix the electric motor-vibrator. A metal apron is welded on top, and blades are welded along the edges.
7. A press with handles and holes for limiter pipes is made from a thick plate. Their diameter is slightly larger than that of pipes: the press should go 50-60 mm deep into the matrix, but no more.
8. Mount the engine. Eccentrics are welded onto the shaft. These are bolts that are fixed parallel to the shaft, leaving room for the nuts. The axes of the fasteners must coincide. Nuts are screwed onto the bolts; they will make it possible to change the strength and frequency of vibration.
9. The machine is cleaned, polished, primed, dried, and then painted. The last necessary operations are cotter pinning (locking) of threaded connections and grounding of the electrical part.

Performance

This unit will not be able to guarantee large volumes of production, however, such goals are not usually set in the household. They say that by working together with a matrix of several cinder blocks, you can make dozens of stones in a day. The numbers here vary greatly, so it makes no sense to cite them as an example.

Vibropress for blocks

For the production of concrete blocks, paving slabs, cinder blocks and expanded clay concrete blocks, one single main device is used - a brick press. Having a brick making press on your farm, you can stamp blocks in an unlimited quantity, providing both your own construction and the opportunity to sell some of the unused material, and if the brick making press is productive and of high quality, then you can even open a small business. But this is in the future, but for now let’s figure out what kind of brick making machine this is, why it is needed, what it’s made of, and what’s the point of assembling a brick making press with your own hands.

Machines for the production of pressed blocks can differ greatly in many respects:

All this greatly influences the choice of device for producing blocks or tiles. No one has ever classified these machines, but conditionally, guided by sound logic, they can be divided into several categories.

Preparing a solution for cinder concrete

A concrete mixer is the best option.
Before we talk about how to make cinder blocks at home, let's consider preparing a solution for them. The solution for slag concrete blocks includes a filler, preferably slag remaining after the combustion of coal in the furnace, in an amount equal to seven parts by volume.

Coarse expanded clay sand - two parts, gravel, fraction 0.5 - 1.5 cm - two parts, cement, grade M500 - one and a half parts and water - three volume parts. But not only slag can be a filler; gypsum, expanded clay, ash, gravel, screenings of crushed stone, sand, brick waste and even processed sawdust can be used as such.

When using blast furnace slag as a filler, no unnecessary additives should be present: wood chips, earth or unburnt coal. Therefore, the slag must be sorted in advance and sifted using a special sieve.

If the filler is gypsum, then the components of slag concrete are taken in the following proportions: gypsum - one part, slag mixture - three parts and water. The solution is thoroughly mixed and used almost immediately.

This mixture is prepared within a maximum of six minutes. The slag mixture is pre-moistened. To prepare one cubic meter of solution, about 350 liters of water are used.

In order to make high-quality slag concrete blocks at home, a special plasticizer is added to the solution. As a result, the mixture becomes very plastic, and the blocks are strong, waterproof, frost-resistant and not brittle.

In addition to hollow ones, blocks can also be made solid. They are the strongest and most durable, and most often they are used to make the foundation. In contrast, hollow blocks are lightweight and have excellent heat-insulating and soundproofing properties.

Well, one more important property: cinder blocks can be colored if dyes are added to the solution, which can be chalk or crushed red bricks

Features of homemade machines

Types of equipment for the production of expanded clay concrete blocks:

1. Manual vibration machines.
2. Mobile mechanized machines.
3. Vibrating tables.
4. Vibrating presses.

Manual vibrating machines

Consist of an electric motor and a vibration stand. The mixture is placed into molds. The equipment allows you to produce solid or hollow blocks. Technical equipment has stationary or removable void formers.

The disadvantage is low power and low productivity. All processes take place with the direct participation of humans. The equipment power does not exceed 2.0 kW.

Mobile mechanized machines

Equipped with vibration equipment for expanded clay concrete blocks with a power of 2 to 10 kW. Trailed or removable casters are used for movement. To perform additional functions they are equipped with modular systems.

The advantage is the ability to move freely, small dimensions, low cost.

The disadvantage is the low productivity and energy consumption of the equipment.

Vibrating tables

They are a spatial structure with an electric motor and a vibration device. The table surface consists of a steel tray. For its manufacture, galvanized steel sheet with a thickness of 3 mm with sides is used.

The molds filled with the mixture are placed on a pallet. Under the influence of vibration, the solution is compacted and takes the required shape. After this, the products are sent for drying.

The advantage of vibrating tables is their simplicity of design, maintenance, and minimal equipment cost.

The disadvantage is low productivity and a large proportion of manual labor.

Vibrating presses

Used in industrial enterprises. They have a power of up to 500 kW. Equipped with automation and non-destructive testing devices for finished products.

The equipment operates in automatic and semi-automatic mode at all stages of production. Productivity reaches 150 or more cubic meters of products per shift.

Vibropress for tiles

All brick making machines can again be conditionally divided into several categories based on the size of the forming zone. That is, roughly speaking, what kind of products can be produced on such a brick press. The smallest and medium ones are suitable for making paving slabs and small borders. The maximum size of their forming zone is no more than 0.3 m². Therefore, they can only produce tiles. As a rule, they all involve manual selection of the finished product, which dictates the maximum load weight that one person can handle. This is no more than 35 kg.

Each of the brick making machines for paving slabs has its own performance indicators and speed of formation of the loading cycle. The fastest of them form a block in 8-10 seconds, and the time it takes to form a block with handicraft machines is two to three minutes. Consequently, productivity is very different, and mass production of tiles using such equipment is out of the question.

Do-it-yourself cinder block manufacturing technology

Cinder block is a modern building material that is very popular in the construction of various structures. It is distinguished by its strength, reliability, and ability to retain heat. All these characteristics will be transferred to the buildings and structures that you are going to build. This building material is distinguished by its low cost, which makes it even more popular. But despite this, it can still be made cheaper in a simple way. Today we will tell you how to make a cinder block at home.

The composition of cinder block is unique, and at the same time very simple. Cinder block is a very affordable building material that you can make with your own hands, and then take and build a wall from cinder block, also with your own hands, even without experience in the construction field. Compared to brick or other building materials, you can make a cinder block at home, without having any special equipment (except for a cinder block machine) or skills. Now we will tell and show you how to do this.

STEP 1: materials. To start producing this building material, we need to decide what materials we will need for this business. If you want to get reliable blocks, then you should not skimp on materials, because this can play a cruel joke on you in the future.

Sand. Clean sand, without unnecessary inclusions. Large faction.

Slag. To make a cinder block, you must take blast furnace slag, because it has the necessary strength characteristics and does not collapse under the influence of moisture.

Gravel. It is also necessary to increase the strength characteristics of the cinder block.

Cement

The main attention should be paid to cement. After all, the further formation of the block depends on it

To form reliable blocks, you need to use grade 400 cement. The best building materials are made from this cement, which can withstand absolutely any weather conditions, loads, etc.

Above we have presented a list of necessary building materials that you will need when creating a cinder block. In addition to all this, you will need water, a cinder block machine, and a concrete mixer. You can do without a concrete mixer, but without a machine it will be difficult. If you are going to make cinder blocks without a machine, then you may end up with them, just the wrong ones. The vibrating machine promotes uniform distribution of the solution in the mold. Due to this, the strength of the block increases.

STEP 2: proportions. If you don’t know how to make a cinder block correctly, it’s not a problem. Each master has his own proportions, but there is one, standardized instruction that will suit you. And so, to prepare the correct solution we will need:

• 7 parts slag;
• 2 parts sand;
• 2 parts gravel;
• 1.5 parts cement;
• 1.5 – 3 parts water.

This is the most optimal recipe for making cinder blocks, which has been used for decades. We will act on it.

STEP 3: prepare the mixture. Next, all materials need to be mixed in the required proportions in a concrete mixer. You can do this manually, but it is better in a concrete mixer. We pour all the materials strictly in proportion into the concrete mixer, fill everything with water, and start the engine. After the mixture is homogeneous (this is easy to determine with the naked eye), we begin to pour it into molds or into a machine.

In this article we will tell and show you how to make a cinder block with your own hands at home, without any experience in construction. We assume that you have a vibration machine available, but if you don’t have one, then you can try to make a special form in which we will make our blocks. This method is not as effective as with a machine, but it also has a right to life.

Vibration pressing and vibration casting

Diagram of a vibrating table and sand sifter.

Vibrocompression is the compaction of a semi-dry concrete mixture when the latter, while in a mold, is subjected to pressure from above and, at the same time, vibration loads. Production using this method is easily automated. The production process itself is as follows:

• a semi-dry concrete mixture is placed into the mold (matrix);
• the punch, vibrating together with the frame, begins to put pressure on the mixture;
• after the mixture is completely compacted, the vibrations stop;
• the punch and then the die rise up, leaving the finished product.

This method was the impetus for the creation of a wide range of construction products. This is not a complete list of these products: building blocks, paving slabs, panels, columns, bricks, curbs, pillars, etc. All of these products have the following positive properties:

• strength;
• wear resistance;
• high structure density;
• frost resistance;
• resistance to external influences.

Vibrator table diagram.

Vibration casting is the production of construction products by vibrating the concrete mixture on a special device, a vibrating table. The concrete mixture is poured into a rubber or plastic mold and placed on a continuously vibrating surface of a vibrating table. To prevent knocking from the walls of the mold, the vibration amplitude must be constant. It is necessary to strictly monitor the filling of the molds with the mixture, otherwise marriage is inevitable.

After vibration treatment, the molds are removed and sent to a warm place to stand (dry) for 46-47 hours. Then the process of stripping begins: the products in the molds are placed in a water bath, and then the products are knocked out of the molds using special devices. The process is very difficult to automate. To increase frost resistance, it is necessary to add plasticizers and modifiers, and increase the amount of cement.

Mixture composition

The production of slag blocks at home obliges the craftsman to adhere to a specific composition, as well as certain proportions of all components. Thus, the binding ingredient in this material is usually cement of a grade not lower than M400. As for the filling component, it can consist entirely of slag or be mixed. The last option is obtained by adding a small amount of crushed stone, sand (simple or expanded clay), crushed brick and fine expanded clay.

When making cinder blocks, the following proportions must be observed:

• 8-9 parts of the filling component;
• 1.5-2 parts of astringent ingredient.

For example, out of 9 parts, at least 6 are accounted for by this component, and the rest is made up of crushed stone and sand. In theory, when making it yourself, it is permissible to use concrete or brick scraps, screenings.

The standard proportions of cinder block are:

• 2 parts sand;
• 2 parts crushed stone;
• 7 parts slag;
• 2 parts of Portland cement marked M400.

As for water, it is customary to add it in an approximate ratio of 0.5 parts. The result is a semi-dry solution. To ensure its high quality, you need to take a small handful and throw it on a hard surface. If the thrown lump crumbled, but under compression conditions regained its previous shape, then the composition can be considered suitable for further use.

If you plan to obtain colored cinder blocks, then the recipe is supplemented with colored chalk or brick chips. To increase the strength characteristics of this material, special plasticizers are used. In some cases, they resort to adding gypsum, ash or sawdust.

Price for machines

On the construction market and in advertisements on the Internet you can find many options for professional equipment for producing cinder blocks.

The standard kit includes a vibrating machine with molds for 4 blocks, a concrete mixer (300 l) and wheelbarrows (2 pcs.) for feeding and transporting the mixture. Such an installation will cost an average of about 170,000 rubles in Russia. There are options for 900,000 rubles, and there are also options for 70,000 rubles. and even for 35,000 rubles.

In general, it all depends on the performance of the equipment, its release date, mobility, functionality and configuration. It’s worth adding to the price delivery across Russia to your destination.