Grouting the Gorbel Jib Crane Column Base

This was my first time grouting in a machine base so it was all new to me. I did some research on the standard procedures and just went for it. It wasn't bad at all but not having a lot of experience with handling and mixing grout or concrete proved to be a little challenging. In the end, the job got done and I'm happy with the results. This step is important in making sure that the column base has 100% contact and help prevent any flex and stress in the bottom plate when the crane is under high loads. This is an industry standard technique used widely for machine and column bases.

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[richardwilson]

I used to grout bridge bearings, and what we found is that for best results you need to have the grout mixed fluid, mix all the grout you need at the start, then pour in one go, as fast as possible, and from one side only. That way the grout flows right through the base, and across the middle. Pouring from each side can lead to a big trapped air bubble under the middle of the plate. We only found this when we had to take a bearing off and found the hollow area. Grouting something that size isn't a one man job. One mixing, one carrying and one pouring. We also had one man with a length of net curtain wire, rodding through to make sure the grout kept moving. That stuff is thixotropic, like non drip paint. If it stops moving, it will thicken up, you need to keep it on the move all the time.

[dennislin]

Good for you on trying something new and learning. Thanks to you and Abby for taking us along.

[ryanshadders]

I'm am an electrician up here in New York state just outside of Rochester and Gorbel is from this area in Fishers New York . They are one of our customers so not only have I literally wired hundreds of their cranes of all different types I also have done tons of work at their plant. About 10 or 12 years ago they decided to completely rearrange the main building they do the vast majority of their fabricating in to maximize efficiency so I had the task of unwiring and rewiring pretty much all of the machines in the plant so I wired the machines that made your crane. It is crazy watching how they fabricate all that stuff. That's one of the satisfying parts about my job is wiring machines that make some very interesting stuff

[TheLastTater]

You are your harshest critic. There will always be someone who knows more. You do amazing metal work, don’t stress so much about being perfect when you’re out of your element! This is the kind of thing a lot of us can relate to. Great job!

[jayb]

I appreciate the time you take to bring your world to the public. You and your wife seem like very kind hearted genuine people i wish you the best and happy holidays

[avnsteve]

You're one fine machinist. You made that grout project look hard! You know more now! Thanks for the vids

[CarmichaelsRestoration]

That's actually the best grout shuttering I've ever seen. Good job, Adam!
My boys would do square column bases and manage to turn them into parallelograms!!

[StubProductions]

Nice work! And Abby is gold! A voice of positivity and reassurance. We all should be as lucky. 😊

[allenahale]

Next time - 1. Brush hammer the footprint of the concrete before setting your equipment. 2. Drill some vent holes in the base plate of your equipment if there are not any. This allows air to escape and eliminate voids beneath your equipment. You want full contact of the grout to the surface of your equipment. 3. Add a 45 degree chamfer strip along the outside top perimeter of your form. 4. Saturate the concrete surface to be grouted prior to pouring grout. 4. Pour grout from one direction only to avoid trapping air beneath your equipment. 5. Monitor the grout pour to ensure grout weeps out of vent holes every where. 6. Use wet burlap to keep grout surface moist for curing. Definite use your idea of using a chute or funnel to pour the grout - you want some head on the grout to help it flow completely under the equipment and drive the air out underneath it to ensure full contact.

[brosselot]

You did a good job, I've grouted literally 1000's of base plates and machines in the last 35 years. You did it right, grouting is more of an art and not just a process. If I were you I would take a rub stone and break that sharp edge and the corners some, but you don't have to. It will be good to see the machines in there working.

[gannas]

I really enjoy the interaction between you and Abby... Reminds me a lot of my wife and I. Thanks for sharing - this has been a neat project to watch come together!

[capitaleyes]

A few seconds with a hammer drill on the crane base would help to vibrate that grout into all the voids. Pretty excited to see the work that comes out of that new shop of yours. Keep that great content flowing, Adam.

[BrooksMoses]

Looks good, especially for a first time! If you decide you're not perfectly happy with it, though, there's always that old saying: "A diamond saw and some concrete paint, makes me the grouter I ain't." Although personally I'd just get a diamond blade for an angle grinder and debur the corner, at most. And paint it only if I were sealing the rest of the floor.

Also, thank you for showing all the things you learned the hard way along the way; that'll make it much easier if I ever do something like this.

[stevecook]

Always add the grout to the water . In other words, put all the water in the bucket then mix in the grout . This results in a consistent mix with no dry spots . Pour from one side only, this will ensure there are no voids in the grout .

[stanlamborn]

You both were great. Do it your way and let the geniuses tell you how. It’s cool your wife joined in with some commentary.

[MrJeb]

Adam, you and your wife have an awesome dynamic. Very nice to see a team operate together so seamlessly. Keep up the awesome work, and may you have much success in your new adventure!

[JgHaverty]

watching super precise machinists that deal with fractions of thousands of an inch mess with wood always cracks me up how "sloppy" they are with it haha.

[zeerealdeal]

It's kinda cool to witness the 'ground breaking' of the new ABOM79 shop, but probably because I (we) have watched so much of ABOM79 for the last few years.
CONGRATS!! I'm so happy for you! You are a skilled and talented dude... you deserve this.

[jackiejones]

So funny watching you use the lift to load that saw, which is lighter then then lift.

[williammorrison]

Old tile installer here. pour the liquid in first, before the cement. It makes mixing much easier