Vent: Had a young guy ask why I still use a hand float and it got me thinking

I was finishing a sidewalk in Austin last tuesday and this kid fresh out of school asks why I'm not using a power trowel for the whole thing. He said hand floating is for guys who don't trust their tools. But my dad taught me to feel the concrete set by hand (you know, that drag tell you when it's ready), and I realized I never really explained that to anyone. Does anyone else still mix old school methods with new gear just because it works better for certain pours?

3 comments

3 Comments

barbara_jenkins667d ago

My dad taught me the same thing with a sidewalk in 92.

barbara_jenkins667d ago

Ground myself before I said something I'd regret. Counted to ten in my head and focused on my breathing for a few seconds. It helped me calm down enough to not make things worse.

phoenixk647d ago

Yeah I feel that, the breathing thing is solid. I actually started doing something similar after a big argument with my brother a few years back. I step away for a minute and count backwards from ten, but I focus on feeling my feet on the floor, like really pressing my toes down. It sounds weird but it snaps me back to the moment instead of spiraling into anger. Works way better than just stewing in silence.