How to make cinder blocks at home. Briefly about the manufacture of expanded clay concrete blocks with your own hands. Wall blocks have many properties

Cinder block is one of the most demanded materials today. It is used for the construction of objects for various purposes and of various sizes. It can be small outbuildings or industrial buildings.

For the manufacture of cinder blocks, a special device is used, the principle of which is to vibrocompress the concrete mixture. To significantly save on building material, you can make building blocks with your own hands. To do this, you need to purchase or independently design a vibropressing machine.

To start making concrete blocks with your own hands, you need to prepare all the tools and materials that you may need in the process. The standard size of the cinder block is 390x188x190 mm. The inside of the product remains hollow. Two or three holes act as a void, the shape and size of which directly depend on the configuration of the machine.

Thanks to such voids, the cinder block provides sufficient sound absorption and thermal insulation of the house. But, despite such a hollow construction, the material is very durable and will last for many years. Starting to manufacture, you can significantly save on building material.

Initially, concrete blocks were made from slag. In order to prepare the classic version of the cinder block, some proportions should be observed:

  • 7 parts of coal slag from a blast furnace;
  • 2 parts of expanded clay sand (it is better to give preference to a large fraction);
  • 2 parts of gravel, the fraction must be at least 5 and not more than 215 mm;
  • 1.5 parts of cement brand 500;
  • 3 parts water.

Other materials can be used as a filler, but in the classic version, it was slag that was used. Today it is difficult to get it, so brick waste, expanded clay, ash, gravel, screenings, crushed stone, gypsum or processed sawdust can be used instead. The amount of water may vary slightly depending on the filler. Its quantity must be adjusted during the preparation of the solution. The main thing is that it should not be too dry, but the spreading of the solution is also considered unacceptable.

In order to check the consistency of the solution, you need to throw a small amount on the ground. Smooth spreading of the mixture without water streaks is considered normal, and if the mixture is squeezed into a fist, it should stick together.

If do-it-yourself concrete blocks are made using slag, it is very important to control that there are no foreign objects. The slag must be cleaned from various chips, earth. It is unacceptable that unburned coal is included in the composition of the solution. In order to eliminate contamination, the material must be sifted through a sieve.

If gypsum is additionally added to the composition of the cinder block, then the proportion of materials will be slightly changed. Gypsum (1 part) is mixed with three parts of the slag mixture, water is added during mixing. Such a solution must be used immediately after preparation, since the gypsum will begin to dry quickly. It is recommended to soak the slag for some time in water before preparing such a solution.

The modern building materials market offers various additives that significantly improve the quality of the mortar. A plasticizer can be added to the solution, about 5 g per cinder block is needed. Such additives increase frost resistance, water resistance and strength.

There are two types of concrete blocks. They can be hollow and solid. The first ones are much lighter, they are used for building walls, since they do not create too much load on the foundation, in addition, such blocks have good sound and heat insulation. Solid blocks are most often used for the construction of the foundation.

In order to make a cinder block, two technologies can be used. One is based on the use of a wooden form in which the concrete mortar dries. For the second method, you must purchase or make your own special machine.

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Manufacturing method using molds

Both wood and metal can be used as the material from which such molds are made. If wood is used to create the form, it must be very well dried. It should additionally be treated with a tool that will increase moisture resistance. Otherwise, after a short time, the forms may be deformed, which will affect the geometry of the concrete blocks. The inner size of the form should be 400x200x200 mm. But this is not a limitation, the form can have a variety of sizes.

This form consists of a bottom and side walls. To make the production process faster, it is recommended to make several molds. In order for all corners of the form to be well filled, the solution should be prepared more liquid. To make the blocks hollow using a mold at home, you can use empty glass bottles.

After the solution is poured into the mold, the bottles are lowered into the mixture with their necks, the surface is leveled and the required height of the concrete block is made. After 5-6 hours, the bottles should be removed and the blocks left to dry further. Drying of the blocks lasts at least a day, after which they can be removed from the molds and stacked. Before construction, such blocks must lie down for at least 1 month.

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Concrete blocks using vibrocompression machine

Using special equipment, concrete blocks are more durable and of high quality. Is it possible to make a vibropressing machine with your own hands? Quite.

Tools that are needed to create special equipment:

  • grinder for cutting sheets;
  • welding machine;
  • meter and chalk (pencil) for basting;
  • pliers;
  • a hammer.

For the manufacture of matrices into which the concrete mixture will be poured, it is necessary to take sheet metal with a thickness of not more than 3 mm. The machine must be equipped with a 100 W motor, in addition, a load should be prepared that will create imbalance and vibration.

In order to make such a machine, it is necessary to use sheet steel. Workpieces are cut from it:

  • 2 pieces measuring 400x250 mm;
  • 2 pieces measuring 200x250 mm;
  • visor 400x150 mm;
  • ribs - 4 pieces 40x40 mm in size;
  • clamp size 39.5x19.5 mm.

After all the blanks are made, you can begin to assemble the main matrix. For this, parts with a size of 400x200 mm and 200x250 mm are used. It is very important that all welds are on the outside. Otherwise, the finished concrete blocks will have rounded corners. As a result, a matrix of 400x200x250 will be obtained. To make voids inside the cinder block, you need to use a pipe with a diameter of 80 mm. The length of the blanks should not exceed 250 mm.

After the main matrix is ​​ready, it is necessary to install pipe blanks inside it. It is very important to control their distance from each other and from the walls. All dimensions must be identical. In order to connect the pipes together and give them additional strength, prepared stiffening ribs measuring 40x40 mm should be used. This design is welded to the matrix.

The final stage includes the installation of the vibrator, it is attached to the longest side of the matrix. Bolts are used to secure it. After the bolts are tightened, they are welded for extra strength. To protect the motor from water and mortar contamination, a protective visor is welded on top. A leg is welded on the edge of the visor, which will give additional strength. For convenience, handles are welded to the matrices.

Homemade machine for the production of building blocks with your own hands


The modern building materials market offers a wide range of wall blocks. But not everyone knows that it is quite possible to reduce the cost of building a private house, cottage, garage or utility room. Instead of buying a brick or cinder block, it is enough to start making them yourself. To do this, you need to use a machine for the production of blocks, and if the budget does not allow, make a vibrocompression machine yourself.

Inexpensive factory models of vibrating machines do not have high performance, but this is not required for private use. True, buying a machine for building a small house, where about a thousand standard-sized blocks are required, will not be entirely profitable. Therefore, as an option, you can consider renting equipment for a certain period. This will be enough for the procurement of building materials for the future.

Factory machine for making building blocks with your own hands

Varieties of building blocks

Brick is still the main material in the construction of high-rises, but for low-rise construction it is cheaper to use other building materials. If you exclude wood, which is now expensive, the choice will still be varied. Modern wall materials are made from:

  • foam concrete;
  • slag concrete;
  • aerated concrete;
  • expanded clay concrete.

Block characteristics comparison table

As a filler for cinder blocks, a variety of and sometimes exotic materials are used, which are waste products: screenings, glass and brick cullet, sawdust, wood chips.

First, let's consider how expanded clay blocks and cinder blocks are made independently, as the most budgetary among all the above building materials.

Expert Opinion: Cinder Block Making Machine

If you do not have the necessary knowledge and skills to independently manufacture the machine, we advise you to rent equipment. If you want to independently manufacture a machine for the production of building blocks, use only high-quality materials. We advise you to pay great attention to the stage of creating a design drawing and calculate all the nuances in advance. For a sample, take factory equipment or ready-made equipment of friends and acquaintances.

Dmitry Orlov

DIY claydite blocks

If there are no problems with expanded clay in your region, you can consider yourself lucky: expanded clay concrete, despite its cheapness, is rarely found on sale, but this building material is characterized by a whole range of positive properties. For the manufacture of expanded clay blocks you will need:

  • actually expanded clay;
  • cement;
  • sand;
  • water.

The main material for creating the mixture will be expanded clay of fine fraction

When mixing the solution, it is important to follow a certain sequence: expanded clay is added to the water, then cement, and finally sand. The proportions of the solution are as follows: for nine liters of water, use 54 kg of expanded clay, 9 kg of cement and 27 kg of sand. You will get a mixture weighing about 100 kilograms, with the output of finished blocks in the amount of 9-10 pieces.

Manufacturing technology of expanded clay concrete blocks

If it is not possible to use a specialized machine (such equipment is not cheap), expanded clay concrete can be produced on a non-industrial scale using special matrices. You will also need an appropriate container for the solution, a flat platform and formwork made of wood or metal in the shape of the letter "E".

To reduce temporary losses and reduce labor costs will allow a concrete mixer - standard equipment in the builder's arsenal. With a shortage of time, the problem is solved by using a vibrating machine; a simple model of such a machine can be made independently.

To do this, it is enough to attach a low-power, but high-speed electric motor to the form, which is turned into a full-fledged vibrator with the help of an eccentric. Matrix oscillations force the mixture to be distributed in the form as densely and evenly as possible, improving the strength characteristics of finished products. Factory-made vibropresses have maximum productivity: professional machines are equipped with additional equipment that automates the process, eliminating heavy manual labor. But such vibropressing machines cost a lot.

Do-it-yourself cinder block production

Expanded clay is an excellent and inexpensive material for making building blocks, but an even more economical way of building is to use cinder blocks. Possessing comparable characteristics in terms of sound and heat insulation, slag concrete is made from materials whose cost is an order of magnitude lower.

The industry is not interested in producing cinder block building material - it is more economically profitable to produce expensive analogues (building blocks made of foam concrete, aerated concrete, brick). But there is special equipment for the formation of cinder blocks on sale, and a lot. The range of prices for such vibrating machines is huge: from simple models with a static matrix, which can be assembled in garage conditions from improvised materials, to fully automated lines.

Cinder block: manufacturing technology

A modern cinder block has dimensions of 188x190x390 mm, a full-bodied building material is characterized by sufficient strength for arranging foundations and multi-storey construction, hollow ones are used in all other cases. The voids can be round, rectangular or square in shape, the number varies from one to 8-10 voids, the voidness index lies in the range of 25-50%. Practically not inferior in terms of strength to monolithic products, hollow cinder blocks can save almost twice as much expensive cement.

For quick and high-quality mixing of the mixture, it is advisable to use a construction concrete mixer

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The filler during production can be:

  • coal slag;
  • fine gravel;
  • screening of crushed stone;
  • sand;
  • brick waste;
  • glass battle;
  • ash;
  • perlite;
  • gypsum;
  • sawdust;
  • wood chip.

When mixing the solution, the proportions will depend on the composition of the filler. The main condition is that the finished solution does not spread. Cement in the production of slag concrete is used grade not lower than M400, to improve the performance properties of the finished product, plasticizers can be added to the solution.

DIY portable cinder block making machine

A reference point in the independent production of a solution for cinder blocks can be the factory recipe: for seven parts of blast-furnace slag - two parts of coarse sand, one and a half parts of cement and up to three parts of water. The way to check if the consistency of the solution meets the requirements is simple: we throw a handful on the ground, it should crumble. If you collect the solution and squeeze it in a fist, it should return to the shape of a ball.

It is not necessary to focus on standard dimensions: making blocks with your own hands is an individual process, and many prefer to set up production using multiple mold sizes (for example, 200x200x400 mm), which simplifies interfacing with other structural elements of buildings under construction.

Preparation of cinder blocks without special equipment

In the presence of free time and the inability to make the simplest vibrating machine for the production of cinder concrete, it is advisable to use a form, the walls and bottom of which are boards or sheet metal. It is preferable to use one matrix for the manufacture of several cinder blocks, at least in order to save materials. Bottles, scraps of metal pipes, wooden cylinders or bars can be used to form voids in the mold for pouring the solution.

Manual machine for the manufacture of cinder blocks and expanded clay blocks at home

The procedure itself is simple: we prepare the solution, pour the cinder concrete into the molds, level it, removing the excess. After a day, the blocks can be carefully removed by laying them out to dry on a horizontal surface. To protect the finished material from cracking and getting wet during drying, cover the cinder block stacks with plastic wrap.

You can use homemade cinder blocks a month after they are made. This moment should be taken into account and deal with the manufacture of building materials in advance.

We make a vibropressing machine

Adding to the above production scheme, cinder concrete, vibrator, provides an opportunity to significantly improve the quality of products and at the same time speed up the process.

It is not difficult to assemble such a machine; subject to all recommendations, this equipment will work no worse than factory analogues. The simplest version of a vibropressing machine involves the use of a home-made matrix, a vibrator and a hand press. To reduce physical exertion, the manual press can be improved by using a lever system.

Drawing of a home-made machine with a vibration motor for the manufacture of cinder block and expanded clay blocks

A set of tools and materials necessary for the manufacture of a vibrating machine with a metal mold:

  • welding machine;
  • Bulgarian,
  • keys set;
  • vise;
  • sheet metal with a thickness of at least 3 mm;
  • pipes for creating voids with a diameter of 8-10 mm;
  • channel, strips of metal;
  • low-power electric motor (up to 1 kW);
  • connecting elements (bolts, nuts, cotter pins).

The main element of the machine for making blocks with your own hands is a matrix, the dimensions and shape of which are selected based on production needs.

The sequence of actions in the manufacture of a homemade vibrating machine:

  • We cut out the walls of the matrix with a grinder from sheet material. If the form is intended for the manufacture of several block products, we provide for the presence in the matrix of the corresponding number of partitions.
  • We cut off the required number of blanks from the pipe (at the rate of 3 pieces per brick), the height of which should be 3-5 mm less than the height of the matrix. The taper of the pipes is achieved using the following technique: cut the pipe to half and compress the workpiece in a vice (for thick-walled pipes, you can use a lathe).

Drawing for the manufacture of a machine with lightweight extrusion of building blocks

  • Each section of the pipe is welded tightly on both sides.
  • We weld the plates to the pipes, connecting them together. For fastening to the walls, it is better to provide a removable connection, which will allow, if necessary, to remove the limiters for the production of monolithic cinder blocks.
  • Using welding, we fix the bolts for mounting the electric motor on the long outer wall.
  • We weld a metal apron on top of the mold.
  • We make a press in the form of a thick-walled plate, we provide for the presence of holes with a diameter slightly larger than the smaller diameter of the restrictor pipes (so that the press enters the matrix at a distance of no more than 50 mm).
  • We weld handles to the press.
  • We install the motor. We weld an eccentric onto the motor shaft (ordinary bolts are suitable as a material for the eccentric, which are welded parallel to the shaft and leave room for tightening the nuts, which will allow you to adjust the amplitude of oscillations).
  • We carefully clean the device, polish the surfaces, paint a home-made unit for blocks.

We make cinder blocks

It is desirable to prepare the solution using a concrete mixer: the presence of coarse-grained fillers in the composition of the solution makes it difficult to obtain a high-quality mixture manually. Before pouring the cinder concrete into the matrix, the wall surfaces must be lubricated with machine oil or a similar product. This will prevent the solution from sticking to the walls of the matrix.

Pour the mixture into the mold, press down with a press and at the same time turn on the vibrator. After 10-20 seconds, the solution will thicken and shrink, so add the mixture to the matrix and repeat the procedure without turning off the vibrator until the pressure plate drops to the level of the limiters.

Depending on weather conditions, it is possible to get cinder blocks out of the mold either the next day or three days later. Next, the material is laid out for natural drying for a month.

As you can see, the main difficulty in the production of wall materials is to make a machine for cinder blocks with your own hands, observing the required precautions (cottering threaded connections, grounding the electrical part of the installation). Super-productivity should not be expected from such a unit, but some design improvement will facilitate the production of cinder blocks: a simple lever system can be provided for pressing down the press. By welding the wheels to the carrier frame, you can get a mobile version of the device (the so-called "layer").

The purchase of factory machines equipped with additional equipment for automating the production of cinder concrete products will provide an opportunity to organize your own small business. On such professional equipment, it is possible to produce not only block products. Interchangeable matrices will allow you to form paving slabs, curbs, decorative elements - in fact, any analogues of concrete products.

Home-made machines cannot boast of such versatility, but this is not required for individual construction.

Online: Author and editor of articles on the site website
Education and work experience: Higher technical education. Experience in various industries and construction sites - 12 years, of which 8 years - abroad.
Other skills and abilities: Has the 4th group of the admission on electrical safety. Performing calculations using large data arrays.
Current employment: For the last 4 years he has been acting as an independent consultant in a number of construction companies.

Cinder block is one of the most requested materials for the construction of walls of one-story buildings. It is distinguished by its low cost and the possibility of its independent production at home.

Cinder block - wall stone

This building material is intended for low-rise construction. There is an opinion that if cement of a “high” grade is included in the mixture, then a solid foundation for a bathhouse or a house can be made from home-made blocks. However, the foundation blocks must withstand huge loads, so the blocks should be purchased at the factory, and not made independently.

Cinder blocks are:

  • hollow;
  • corpulent.

Due to sufficient strength characteristics, solid cinder blocks are used for cladding and construction of load-bearing walls, as well as partitions. At the same time, hollow products have good heat and sound insulation. Due to voids, raw materials are significantly saved, which means that the cost of production is much lower.

Cinder blocks are also used as an additional insulation in the construction of frames.

How to knead a solution to create a cinder block?

The name of the building material "cinder block" speaks for itself. This means that the main component of the solution will be the slag obtained in the blast furnace, which should be sieved through a special sifter (sieve).

We will need:

  • 7 parts of the main filler (they will serve as slag);
  • 2 shares of gravel having fractions of 5-15 mm;
  • one and a half parts of cement (it is best to take the brand M 400, 500);
  • about 3 parts water.

In addition to slag, other components can also act as the main element: clay, expanded clay, sand, gravel, crushed stone, gypsum and many others. It should be noted that if you have chosen blast-furnace slag as a filler, then other additives are prohibited to use. If you want to get a colored cinder block, then you can add chalk or red bricks brought to small crumbs into the solution (they should be crushed).

In addition, during the production of cinder blocks, make sure that the solution does not spread.

Name of componentsQty
components
Density, kg/m3Water absorption, %Мрз, cycles not less thanCompressive strength, kg/cm2
Cement, kg
Sand, kg (m3)
Crushed stone, kg (m3)
Water, l (depending on the humidity of the components)
500
900 (0,52)
900 (0,52)
100...200
2350 4 200 410
Cement, kg
Screenings, kg (m3)
Sand, kg (m3)
Water, l
500
920 (0,54)
1150 (0,7)
100...200
2160 4,5 200 400
Cement, kg
Sand, kg (m3)
Water, l
600
1550 (0,9)
100...190
2200 5,3 200 436

Tip for obtaining durable blocks: a plasticizer must be added to the solution (you can buy it at any hardware store). Then you will get not only durable, but also frost-resistant and waterproof blocks.


When you are going to independently establish the process of creating cinder blocks, you should understand that there is no universal solution recipe. Each master, through trial and error, selects his own unique formula. If you are a beginner, you can resort to the standard.

Cinder block production methods

There are two ways to get such blocks on your site.

  1. With the help of formwork, that is, a form made of lumber or steel sheets.
  2. Based on the work of a special machine.

Video - Making a cinder block by hand

Video - Cinder block walking mobile machine

Video - Cinder block making machine

Tools and materials for the production of blocks:

  • forms (wood or metal), or vibration machines;

    2,3,4 - pallet blanks. 5,6,7 - framing the matrix from below (corner 25x25). 8 - bar for fastening voids. 9 - void. 10 - the upper plug of the void. 11 - lower plug of the void










  • concrete mixer;
  • spatula for leveling;
  • shovel for pouring mortar;
  • solution.

Instructions for making your own mold

The design of the form has the following form: bottom and side walls. Between a pair of transverse boards or sheets of metal, you should fix the crossbars at the distance you need. Maintain a step corresponding to the size of the required cinder block.

Since it will be difficult to get the finished product out of the mold, the design of the container must be collapsible. For production efficiency, make formwork designed to receive 4-6 cinder blocks.

To make a mold in order to create cinder blocks, you will need:

  • sheets of iron 3 mm thick;
  • iron strips 5 mm (several pieces);
  • cylinders, 4 cm in diameter;
  • welding machine;
  • Bulgarian;
  • chalk for marking.

Stages of manufacturing a single detachable metal mold

Step 1. We mark the sheet according to the size of the blocks: we need two longitudinal sides and two transverse ones. We cut our plates with a grinder.

The width of the longitudinal plate is 210 mm, the length is 450 mm, the transverse plate is 210 by 220 mm.

Step 2 Wings, 3.5 cm high, should be welded to the bottom of the mold for the cinder block so that the mold does not move, and a handle to quickly release the poured solution from the mold.

Step 3 Notches are made along the contour of the transverse and longitudinal walls in order to hook the mold on the longitudinally installed walls.

Step 4. We collect our form.

Step 5. To create voids in the cinder block, we make hinged cylinders. They must be welded to a plate 3-4 mm thick, which should seem to penetrate the cylinders closer to the top. We make notches on the end walls of our container to hook them.

Video - Do-it-yourself mold for cinder blocks

Production of cinder blocks using a split mold

Forms have any dimensions. The standard dimensions of the structure are 90x190x188 mm, in private construction other sizes can be used, for example, 40x20x20 cm. In order to save material, it is better to use molds with cells of 4-6 blocks and cylinders (squares) to create cavities.

A metal self-made form (detachable) has the following appearance.

Consider the phased process of manufacturing cinder blocks.

Step 1. We mix the solution in a concrete mixer.

Step 2 Pour the mixture into our mold with a shovel. In this case, the mixture is thick. You can also use a liquid solution.



Step 3 Be sure to ensure that the solution fills the container evenly. To do this, we tamp the filled solution. We control the filling of the form to the brim. Level the top layer with a spatula.

Step 4 If the solution is dry, then a special lid should be used, the holes in which will block the bayonets in the mold. This device will help to compact our cinder block. For a liquid solution, such a cover is not used.

Step 5 We move our block to an open area for the purpose of further storage. After 30-40 minutes, remove the bottom, sides and top cover. For a better extraction of the cinder block, we will beat the walls and the longitudinal strip with the cylinders on top with an ordinary hammer.

Step 6 For complete drying, we need at least a day.

Production of cinder blocks using a vibrating machine

Step 1. We knead our solution, taking into account the proportions. Particular attention should be paid to the right amount of water, because the cinder blocks should not spread when you remove them from the mold.

kneading

In order to find out the correct consistency of the mixture, conduct a small test. Squeeze the solution in your hand: if it connects in it, and does not blur when it falls to the ground, this is a good and correct solution.

Step 2. We fill our form with a solution, with a slide.

Step 3 . We turn on the machine for 2-4 seconds, after which the loaded composition will be compacted. We level the mixture with our hands so that the iron pins (cylinders) are visible.

Step 4 If there is not enough mixture in the mold, it needs to be supplemented, the clamp is inserted and the vibrator is turned on again. The completion of the formation is evidenced by the sediment of the clamp on the limiters.

Step 5 . Our vibroform should again be switched on for 6-10 s.

Step 6 . We close the top with a lid with holes for the cylinders. And we make another ramming by raising and lowering the lid 4-5 times.

Step 7 . Then, without turning off the machine, the form is removed - it is enough to take the machine to you.

Up to 500 cinder blocks can be produced per shift using a vibrating machine.

Step 8 . We dry the blocks for 5-10 days. The complete hardening of the resulting building materials will be completed after a month, while the humidity should be high and the air warm.

Step 9. After a day, the blocks can be transferred to storage places (they will not be broken), but they can only be placed together after a week. And if you still add a plasticizer to the solution, then after 6-8 hours they can be moved and stored.

Of course, it is not worth buying a vibrating machine for a single production, but special attention should be paid to tamping when creating cinder blocks (the quality of the product depends on this process). In this case, you can use a conventional grinding vibrator, on which it is enough to place our mold with the mixture.

Video - Production of cinder blocks using a vibrator

Features of storage of cinder blocks

The received products are stored in pyramidal piles, one hundred pieces at a time.

At the same time, they fit with small intervals. It is enough for you to dry the material for a couple of months, then you can start building a bathhouse, an extension or a barn.

What are the features of the production of cinder block?

In the production of cinder blocks, special attention should be paid to drying. So, for example, any dent or unevenness will spoil the building material. Another requirement for the quality of the material is the geometry. A large number of irregularities and flaws is a prerequisite for increased costs for finishing the erected walls. Therefore, in order for the product to turn out even, it is necessary to fill the form or vibroform to the brim. Do not skimp on pouring the solution with a slide, because the vibration will shake your mixture.

For better plasticity, when mixing the solution, do not forget to fill in the plasticizer at the rate of 5 g per block. This will save the product from possible cracks, increase strength and frost resistance. To build a small bath, you can knead the solution manually, but a concrete mixer will help speed up the process. It is enough for you to buy or borrow for a while a small unit with a capacity of 02-0.5 cubic meters. m.

Video - Homemade concrete mixer

Before preparing the mixture, the slag is moistened 5-6 hours before. This will allow you to better bind the grains of cement and fractions of the filler. It should be noted that if you are filling wooden or metal molds without the possibility of vibrating, the mixture should be watery.

Pros and cons of using cinder blocks

The advantages of cinder block should include:

  • the possibility of manufacturing in a summer cottage or in a private house;
  • drying of the material can take place both in an autoclave (industrial production) and in the open air (with self-production);
  • a cinder block building carries minimal heat loss;
  • the material is inexpensive;
  • the construction of the building is carried out quickly, given the large size of the blocks;
  • when mixing the solution, you can, by changing the proportions, give it certain qualities;
  • You can produce a cinder block of any size.

Disadvantages of cinder block:

  • low frost resistance, but with the use of a special additive they can be increased;
  • there are doubts in terms of environmental friendliness, especially for products made on the basis of blast-furnace slag;
  • As for the liquid absorption characteristics, the material has strong moisture absorption and requires special protective coatings;
  • fragility (this material is clearly not suitable for the construction of skyscrapers).

  1. The blocks made with the addition of cement have the highest strength. The next place is occupied by blocks of lime.
  2. If small granules are replaced with part of the sifted sand, then the strength of the products will increase slightly.
  3. The combination of cement and lime (or clay) in a ratio of 3: 1 will save money, which will absolutely not win back on quality.
  4. Before you start pouring the solution, the molds should be cleaned and wiped. This will prevent the resulting blocks from sticking to the bottom and walls. For such rubbing, diesel fuel, used oil, or similar means are used.
  5. The density of the solution is a direct indicator of the rate of solidification. The thicker it is, the faster the block can freeze. The main characteristics of the quality of cinder blocks depend not only on the production technology, but also on the choice of solution. Below are the different types of mixtures, the use of which demonstrates certain characteristics that are required for the material.

Video - Cinder block. Instructions for a beginner

Cinder block is one of the very popular materials from which buildings of any type are built. The technology for manufacturing a cinder block at home is a vibration pressing of a certain mixture, which is in special forms.

The very technology of production and the composition of cinder blocks provide that the blocks use special devices and machines that can be made by hand. The dimensions of the standard block are 39x29x19 centimeters, there may be three identical holes inside.

Advantages of cinder blocks

The composition of the cinder block (however, like the foam block) is truly unique:

  • Cinder blocks have excellent heat and sound insulation.
  • Such blocks have sufficient strength and durability.
  • Good cement economy. So, for the preparation of 36 pieces, one bag of cement will go.
  • The current Russian legislation does not provide for mandatory certification of either the slag concrete material itself or the equipment with which it is produced. That is, there is no need for mandatory testing for safety and quality.

Hence the conclusion: it is the cinder block that is the most profitable material for construction on its site, because in this case the process is fast, economical and reliable.

Preparing a solution for cinder concrete

Before talking about how to make cinder blocks at home, consider preparing a solution for them. The composition of the solution for cinder blocks includes a filler, it is better if it is slag left after the combustion of coal in a furnace, in an amount equal to seven parts by volume.

Large expanded clay sand - two parts, gravel, with a fraction of 0.5 - 1.5 cm - two parts, cement, brand M500 - one and a half parts and water - three volume parts. But not only slag can be a filler, as such it is possible to use gypsum, expanded clay, ash, gravel, crushed stone screenings, sand, brick waste and even processed sawdust.

Attention: The proportional composition of water is indicated approximately, and in the process of mixing the solution, it is necessary to control its density. To check, just take a lump of solution and throw it on the ground. A high-quality solution will crumble, and clenched in a fist will stick together.

When using blast-furnace slag as a filler, no extra additives should be present: chips, earth or unburned coal. Therefore, the slag must be sorted in advance, sieved using a special sieve.

If gypsum serves as a filler, then the components of cinder concrete are taken in the following proportions: gypsum - one part, slag mixture - three parts and water. The solution is thoroughly mixed and used almost immediately.

This mixture is prepared for a maximum of six minutes. The slag mixture is preliminarily moistened. About 350 liters of water are used to prepare one cubic meter of solution.

In order to make high-quality cinder blocks at home, a special plasticizer is added to the solution. As a result, the mixture becomes very plastic, and the blocks are strong, waterproof, frost-resistant and not brittle.

In addition to hollow blocks, blocks can also be made solid. They are the strongest and most durable, and most often they make the foundation. Unlike them, hollow blocks are lightweight, have excellent heat-insulating and soundproof properties.

Well, one more important property: cinder blocks can be colored if dyes are added to the solution, which can be chalk or crushed red bricks.

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Methods for the manufacture of cinder blocks

Currently, such a question of how to make a cinder block at home can be solved in two ways:

  1. The first method uses small molds in which the blocks are hardened;
  2. In the second case, special equipment is used. This equipment can be factory-made or self-made, possibly with the involvement of a familiar turner.

Cinder blocks in molds

Making a cinder block at home is possible using both wooden and metal molds. It is believed that the standard dimensions of the block are 39x19x19 centimeters, but depending on the purpose of the form, you can make almost any.

Forms consist of side walls and a bottom. If the molds are made in such a way that several blocks are poured into each, then material can be significantly saved.

Caution: When using these forms, the mortar must be uniform and thick enough to fill these forms without forming voids.

To make the blocks light and inexpensive, voids are created in them; for this, glass bottles are inserted into the molds. To make it easier to get them, they are located with the neck down. The excess solution is removed, the remaining is well leveled.

The blocks are in the forms for a day, then they are pulled out and stored in low stacks. They are ready for construction in a month.

Slag concrete on special equipment

Making cinder blocks at home in this way is more productive and guarantees higher quality. But this requires special equipment, in particular a concrete mixer and a vibrating table.

For the manufacture of the machine you need:

  • the use of steel sheet, thick 2-3 mm;
  • asynchronous motor, the power of which 100 watts or more;
  • weights to cause imbalance and vibration;
  • cylinders to create voids.

We make a machine for the production of cinder blocks

Equipment for cinder blocks at home can be done as follows:

  • Billets of the following size are cut out of a steel sheet: two rectangles 40x25, two - 20x25, one - 40x15, four - 4x4 and one - 39.5x19.5 centimeters.
  • A form is welded from steel rectangles 40x25 and 20x25 centimeters, the internal dimensions of which will correspond to the dimensions of the standard block. But, as already mentioned, sizes can be varied.

Attention: To strictly observe the dimensions of the blocks and maintain the quality of the ribs, the weld must be located outside.

  • Three blanks are cut from the pipe, with a diameter of 8 centimeters, a length of 25 cm.
  • These blanks are welded to the form, using stiffeners, 4x4 cm in size, while they are located in its upper part.
  • The vibrator is attached to the longer side of the mold using bolts and nuts. The bolts themselves are attached to the mold by welding.
  • To protect the engine from water and mortar, a visor is welded over it, to the edge of which an additional leg is welded. It is necessary for additional stability, because the center of gravity of the entire structure has shifted due to the vibrator.
  • Clamps are welded to the handles and you can start making cinder blocks.

For the construction of residential and non-residential buildings, you can use material of your own preparation, strong enough and durable. We will try to tell you how to make a cinder block with your own hands, as well as your own machine for making cinder blocks, in this article.

What is a cinder block?

Cinder block is a building material that is produced by vibrocompression from a concrete mixture with various additives. The result is a product that looks like a brick with good performance. You can build a cinder block garage, a barn or a one-story house simply and quickly.

In addition, you can make a machine for making cinder blocks with your own hands, and produce building material right on the construction site. Having a high-quality recipe and production technology, making cinder blocks with your own hands, you can create a completely profitable business.

Cinder blocks can be divided into two types:

  • Full bodied. They have high strength and are usually used for exterior cladding and foundations;
  • Hollow. Although they have, in comparison with full-bodied ones, less strength, however, it is enough for the construction of residential buildings. They provide good heat and sound insulation of the premises. In addition, if cinder blocks are made by hand, the consumption of raw materials will be less, and, accordingly, the cost of finished products will be several times lower than when buying finished products from third-party manufacturers.

To increase the heat-insulating properties of the blocks, various fillers are added to a special concrete solution. If slag is used as a filler, then such a block will be called a cinder block, if expanded clay or sawdust, then we will get expanded clay concrete or wood concrete blocks, respectively. Such blocks can serve as an excellent insulation for the outer walls of the house.

In addition, the blocks have large dimensions compared to standard bricks, which significantly speeds up construction work. And the manufacture of cinder blocks with your own hands right at the construction site as they are needed will save you from unnecessary costs for the main building material.

How to make a cinder block at home using simple household utensils is presented in the video below. A mold for a cinder block is made with your own hands, from improvised materials.

Advantages and disadvantages of cinder blocks

Making cinder blocks with your own hands at home and finished products has a number of undeniable advantages:

  1. The possibility of manufacturing directly at the construction site without attracting additional costs for transportation and intermediary services of sellers of finished products;
  2. Availability of production methods. Autoclave, steam dry, room temperature;
  3. Low cost of raw materials and short construction time. Low consumption of solution. Due to the large size of the blocks, the construction progress is greatly accelerated;
  4. The possibility of obtaining a material with different properties and characteristics by varying the percentage of components in the mixture;
  5. Various forms of finished products. Making cinder blocks at home allows you to create various shapes and sizes of the finished product, necessary for specific needs, which can greatly facilitate installation.
  6. The building, built of cinder blocks, retains heat well.

Like any material used in construction, cinder blocks also have their drawbacks:

  1. Low frost resistance makes this material unsuitable for construction in the northern regions.
  2. High moisture permeability requires additional insulation.
  3. Fragility. For the construction of residential buildings, a careful calculation of the load is required. Cinder blocks are of little use for the construction of foundations.
  4. Low environmental friendliness. Blast furnace slag refers to non-environmental materials.

Scope and general requirements

The cinder block produced at home can be used for the construction of one-story buildings. According to some reports, cinder blocks can be used in the construction of the foundation, but they are full-bodied and subject to the correct formulation and high-grade cement.

Also, this material can be used as an additional insulation in the construction of low-rise frame houses.

Subject to technology and recipes, good cinder blocks can be made independently. The standard dimensions of the cinder block are 390×190×200 mm with two or three small holes. But there are other varieties as well.

How to make a cinder block with your own hands so that it is durable and of high quality:

  1. High-quality cement (not lower than grade M400);
  2. Blast furnace slag;
  3. Coarse sand;
  4. Do-it-yourself vibropressing machine for the production of cinder blocks.

Due to the fact that slag is a product of coal processing, and the active use of gas leads to a gradual decrease in the volume of slag production, it is often replaced with zitoconcrete (more expensive in cost).

For the production of 36 blocks, you will need one bag of cement (subject to a 1: 7 ratio, that is, 0.011 m 3 of solution is required per block of a standard size).

Advice! Blocks with precise line geometry are needed for the rapid erection of building walls. To do this, the form must be perfectly even and must be filled to the very brim, plus a small margin for tapping.

To create an ideally shaped cinder block:

  1. The vibroform with the solution is turned on for 10-15 seconds, in case of precipitation below the edge of the form, a clamp is set, then the vibration is turned on again;
  2. Switching off is performed at the moment of stop of the vibroform against the limiter;
  3. At the same time, the mold is pulled out and the vibrator is turned off.

In private construction, they can be used as standard-sized blocks of 390 × 190 × 200 mm, as well as 400 × 200 × 200 mm. Each master eventually develops his own proportion and recipe for the preparation of blocks, however, there is a recommended standard according to which you need to mix the components in such proportions:

  • 1.5-3 parts of water;
  • 1.5 parts of cement brand M400;
  • 2 parts sand;
  • 7 parts of slag, which can be replaced with broken bricks, gypsum, stone or granite screenings, perlite, gravel, sawdust, ash, etc.;
  • When vibrocasting, 5 grams of plasticizer for each block for greater plasticity (due to this, strength, moisture resistance and frost resistance of the finished product increase significantly).

Advice! To prevent the blocks from spreading when removed, the amount of water should be such that when the solution is compressed in a fist, it connects, and when it falls to the ground, it crumbles.

Production of cinder blocks

Step-by-step instruction:

  1. Fill the mold with a slide solution and turn on the vibrator for a few seconds to shake. When shrinking below the top edge of the mold, more mortar must be added. Insert clamp and start the vibrator again. The formation of the block is considered complete when the pressure reaches the limiter;
  2. Carefully remove the mold, if necessary, turn on the vibrator for a short time.
  3. Lay out the blocks for drying for 5-7 days. Full hardening, subject to high humidity and heat, will occur in about a month.

Attention! You can transfer the blocks the very next day, stack one on top of the other after 7 days. When a plasticizer is added to the solution, warehousing can be done after 8 hours.

It is best to store blocks in pyramids with small gaps between them for better drying. After two months of drying, the blocks will be suitable for construction.

Self-manufacturing of the machine

For the construction of a small garage, a shed, a gazebo or, for example, a bathhouse, the production of blocks can be established using ordinary boxes. And for the construction of large buildings, a small machine with or without a vibration function may be required.

To make a machine for the production of cinder blocks you will need:

  • Reinforcement with a section diameter of 12 mm;
  • Sheet iron 3 mm thick;
  • Electric welding and grinder;
  • Engine with two shafts, high speed, power 0.5-0.7 kW.

Each block made using a vibrating machine takes about 10-15 seconds. Taking into account the time for pouring the mold and removing the block from it, about 50 pieces can be produced per hour. cinder blocks on their own at home. This is a very good indicator of productivity and financial savings.