Paving without a wacker

[r_c]

My first attempt at block paving, a small 3-ish square metre section where the bins go. Lets see how this turns out. I've already spotted many mistakes, but it has been a great learning experience.

I am at the point of brushing in the kiln dried sand between the blocks. On the block paving videos I have watched I see that a wacker plate is used to help ensure a good distribution of the sand. I don't have a wacker plate.

I've got one of these hand held compactor things, but it doesn't seem right to use for this step:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Roughneck-ROU64379-Rammer-Tamper-8-inch/dp/B003CT4DD6

Is there something else I could use to achieve the aim of using a wacker?

 

[Notch7]

My first attempt at block paving, a small 3-ish square metre section where the bins go. Lets see how this turns out. I've already spotted many mistakes, but it has been a great learning experience.

I am at the point of brushing in the kiln dried sand between the blocks. On the block paving videos I have watched I see that a wacker plate is used to help ensure a good distribution of the sand. I don't have a wacker plate.

I've got one of these hand held compactor things, but it doesn't seem right to use for this step:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Roughneck-ROU64379-Rammer-Tamper-8-inch/dp/B003CT4DD6

Is there something else I could use to achieve the aim of using a wacker?

TBH a whacker plate is a key part of block paving as it beds the blocks down into the sand - usually the blocks are set higher to allow for it.

You can hire them

 

[Munroast]

I have something a bit like that, but it is just a heavy chunk of iron on the end of a bit of scaf, its good for compacting small areas. When i have done block paving and knocking down after sanding; I lay a small plank of wood on the blocks (may be 24" x 5" x 2" thick) then whack that - gets a good even finish

 

[r_c]

Thank you @Munroist - that seemed to work OK ... fingers crossed!

And thanks @Notch7 . I hadn't thought to set the blocks slightly higher to allow for it. Next time I will make sure to hire a whacker plate (and a block splitter!)

 

[Ian H]

When I do drain repairs I never use a wacker.

I use a hand rammer to compact the stone then rubber mallet to smack the blocks down onto grit sand (Or grano).

Then once I brush the kiln dried over I tap the blocks with the mallet again to get them perfect.

 

[Notch7]

When I do drain repairs I never use a wacker

That's cos you are proper 'ard

 

[Ian H]

That's cos you are proper 'ard

Yeah, I just punch them back in