timber formwork for concrete steps

Espoo

Hi all
A few questions for ya on building entrance steps
I'm goin to go and make up some timber formwork to pour concrete steps at patio door, front, and rear entrance. I want about 7 or 8 inches fall for each of 2 steps. Whats the best size of timber to get for this. I mean whats the standard. If the standard is say 7x2 then best I go with 7 inch rise. Anyway 8 inch might be a bit much? as in too high?
What do I get to brush on to timber so concrete doesen't stick to it? I heard cooking oil mentioned by someone? Does this really work?
Cheers

ART6

Espoo wrote: »

Hi all
A few questions for ya on building entrance steps
I'm goin to go and make up some timber formwork to pour concrete steps at patio door, front, and rear entrance. I want about 7 or 8 inches fall for each of 2 steps. Whats the best size of timber to get for this. I mean whats the standard. If the standard is say 7x2 then best I go with 7 inch rise. Anyway 8 inch might be a bit much? as in too high?
What do I get to brush on to timber so concrete doesen't stick to it? I heard cooking oil mentioned by someone? Does this really work?
Cheers

Any time I have done this sort of thing at home I have made the formers out of 9 mm ply, cutting strips to the rise that I wanted. The most I have ever done to stop the concrete sticking is to slap on a coat of varnish, although even without it I have not experienced and stiction problems. It's just that the varnish seems to give a better finish.

Espoo

ART6
Thanks for that. Of course ply would be ideal. Its fairly strong too if
I support it with plenty of rebar. And its cheap. How much is a 8 x 4 ft sheet?
Good idea with the varnish
So I'll get all my formwork in place and get some ready mix. Did you leave it to set for about 4-5 hours before removing the ply and rounding off the steps?

Espoo

paddy147

Cooking oil,grease,varnish or fibreglass mould releasing agent will all work fine.

12-15mm ply and a few 2 x 1 or 2 x 2 wooden stakes will do the job for formwork.

8 x 4 sheet of ply is around 20 euro from a builders provides.

Espoo

Thanks Paddy
I should be able to manage.
nice pic

paddy147

Espoo wrote: »

Thanks Paddy
I should be able to manage.
nice pic

Thanks.:D