Hi I went to pics, there not the cheapest but you will get all the training you need and all the backup and help you can take in. They do a classroom day and then a on site day when they will talk you through your first proper printing job. The picture was my first job and a training day
Print Master
Beware you should read some of the other posts before you go on this course. From what I have seen they don’t have good feedback and most of the course is about being sold a franchise do your home work first mate
The step (Which is more of a trip hazard) and this nice manhole are across from each other and the home owner could not get his car past without driving over the step.
Print master. Fair play to you for posting your first job. Many others wouldn't have the balls, it shows you are willing to learn and take criticism and for me that is a good attitude. It's a tough job this printed concrete game and no matter how good you are you will get caught out every now and then.
Basics are keep everything flat, straight and clean. You will pick up the feel of the concrete going off and strengths as you go on. I would suggest you go on a course though as it will give you some useful tips. I don't mean to patronise but keep your prices low and don't promise the earth, you won't deliver.
As you lay the concrete round the edge with your mag have the colour in a bucket to hand so that your not throwing it from 10, 15 mtr's away. Unless you're a champion 10 pin bowler. That should reduce your colour up walls and so on. Dont get on too early with your mats, that might be one reason why there is some space between them, they have to butt up perfectly otherwise 10mm at he bottom of the drive will be 25mm at the top. Keep your work simple and good and you'll find you are better than others.
Keep at it fella, I have been doing it a fair while and still it challenges and tests me out.It ain't a perfect science.
dam forgot about the BT man ! i say good luck to you, you are trying your best ok the groungworks not up to spec but its serving it purpose hardstanding, weed free, surface. ive seen a lot worse . have a look at my rogues gallery at http://www.dhdriveways.co.uk most work by a local contractor who is still going believe it or not, no its not me!
my first job it pissed down all day did it under cover with drips coming in all over worked my ass off to save it turned out ok customer was pleased with it not the best job ive done but served its purpose.
hi printmaster i was in your position about 6 years ago the best advice i would give you is try and get a job with a good printing company and learn from them then go it alone thats what i did for 2 years then went my self for the last 4 years and never look back it takes a long time to learn this game so many things can go wrong
hey mr marklances you set up ultimatefixit.com yet looks like it could be a busy summer for you lol
lol the driver was funny gave us extra at no extra cost though
my friend did not want a border i did say it would look better where it was for a friend he jus wanted it covered to stop weeds so did not get extras like drainage etc only silly things would of made it look better he is cleaning round sides him self was just an experiment before i start my training course and start of properly am sure everyones first job was the same mats were not a very good fit but i suppose you get for what you pay for
would be interesting thought if some people on here had pics of there first job and put them up 5 years time who knows im only young
Last edited on Tue May 11th, 2010 10:39 pm by print-master
Please do not take this the wrong way but You have asked and most will tell...
You havent dug out enough for a patio, one of the pictures shows that because you can judge the depth off the man hole cover and I would say a maximum depth of 3" of concrete in total. The man hole cover should of been changed for a recessed lid. a soldier course would of been nice. the print looks poor not too sure why though. where the mats covered in old concrete????
Also far to much colour hardener spilt all over thedges and not cleaned off. and also what the hell is going on with the drains across the front of the door they dont go all the way across?????
Sorry if my coments seem harsh but you where the one asking..
PS what the hell has it got to do with the lorry driver!!!!!!!!!!!
it doent look deep but concrete driver said we over dug for a patio over 4 inches of concrete went in like i said the bt man walked over it after we left and the owner wanted the shuttering in so harder for weeds to come in from next doors looks a good job and got more work in alreasy
The print work is rough, no soldier course, havnt taken the shutering out, no expansion joints. More important than this your levels and the amount you dug out are a joke. You only dug an inch out, put an inch of sub-base back in, and looks like 2 inches of concrete, which brings you up over the damp-course. Fair enough your just starting out, the printing would be a bit rough, but the excavation you should get right. All the best, cause your gonna need it.
job is now done please comment on the pictures only had one problem. a bt man walked across it hour after we left even though there was bins and tape in front of the gate and next door neighbour told him he cant walk on it lol i think it has turned out ok seeing as there was not very good access
what can go wrong ! let me think ! rain ,frost ,wind,sun,dogs ,cats ,kids,pigeons (yes the bird)late deliverys, early deliverys,cracks ,sealer,employees(ex-employees)the list goes on !
