Great job man getting ready to try tackle in one myself countertops look amazing

Great videos Jim, really appreciate the the tips for making these countertops. I'm following your method and using Rapid Set mortar mix with 2 flow control bags and 2 set control bags and just shy of 4 quarts of water. I'm in Northern California and pouring outside in the shade with temperatures between 60 and 68 degrees F, low humidity. Other people may be interested to know that my pours take about 4 hours before the mortar "kicks off". For the first few hours it remains in a stiff putty state with no heat. You can wet it and the water will sit there on top. But, After about 4 hours or so, the mix starts to absorb water like crazy. You can spray it with a little garden sprayer but it pulls that water in after a minute or so. I've started using big swim towels to cover the form and saturating them with water and cover with plastic. It seems to me the set control delays the start of the curing process but once it starts, it proceeds as "normal" for this mortar without the set control. Anyway, thanks again for posting these great series of videos.

Water first then half to three quarters of the rapid set while running the mixer. Then the set and flow while running the mixer. Then the remainder of the the rapid set while running the mixer.

I added perlite to the final pour mix over the wire mesh to greatly reduce the overall weight. The mesh compensated for any loss of support the perlite may have given it. Since I am using this countertop for metal foundry work, the perlite gives it extra heat refractory properties as well.

Your videos are a really great resource for us as we prep a pour in place outdoor countertop. THANKS. What about this combination of mortar, flow and set control, for a pour in place? Is there enough to time to float and trowel to get a smooth topside finish?

Jim , what color pigment brand did you use I’m doing our outdoor bar I cannot find any in our area ,any info will help

Jim is there a way I can send you a picture of what I am doing and dimensions of my counter top?

have you ever mixed more then one bag at a time in a small mixer for a larger countertop? I have a 7x3 island that will take about 4-5 bags of Mortar mix. I'm hoping that using a mixer will cut my mixing time and give me a better chance of matching colour and consistency. Also, is it helpful to use a magnesium float with mortar mix or just the hard trowel for the best finish?? thank you for these videos! They have been very helpful

Would the slower setting mortar type m work just as nice for cast in place?

I have a counter top piece that is 95 x 42. I've seen where they just lay 3/8 in rods throughout the piece after the first pour. What do you think about this? Also I've seen that if it's 4 ft or less you don't need rebar with this kind of mortar mix.

Jim: What are your thoughts on mixing this in a barrel-type concrete mixer -vs- with a drill and paddle? Thanks for the videos - I had purchased the countertop mix, found my test piece I’d to work with (never had ‘Crete act like that stuff, so took I back and bought this, even though by the time you add in the flow and set, it’s about 2x the cost of the other pre-mix)

What color do you use?

We put too much water (5 qts) in our mix and I just realized it and my counters are curing. Does hot weather offset the extra water?Does it help that I used fiberglass mesh? Are my countertops doomed?

How many bags did you use on those counter tops ? Thanks

Great video. What brand of concrete color did you use?

How do you do your vibrating? Thanks mate 😊👍

I've always used concrete to make animal pools for my exotic livestock but we have a lot more flexibility with these types of products, I was given a bunch of fast set mortar that I'd like to use instead of regular concrete... are they safe for drinking water once cured?

Why do you choose to use Rapid Set Mortar Mix versus Rapid Set Cement All, for counter tops?

No "slaking" time?

Ahhh you decided to read the directions on the package. Ha ha....no but really if you add set mixture directly to water it needs to be mixed first. Some people keep pre mixed water on hand.

Mortar mix or cement all ?

Creative but I don't think it's necessary to rig up that framework just to add your wire mesh. Once the first pour is set enough, it should hold that very light weight wire mesh without you having to worry about it sinking to the bottom (or the top of the countertop). But nice instructional vid nonetheless.

Now is this just one 55 pound bag ?

Painful.