Customer Reviews

Concrete Secrets Driveways and Sidewalks [VHS]

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Author James Belville is on the right track in this video. For the first time finisher, the tips covered here are essential to finishing concrete. As a profesional finisher, I find that the biggest problems that do-it-your-selfers make are covered in this video. James also talks about "walking tools", which people in other states may not be aware of. These tools help a home owner do a better job while also saving his back. This video is only a place to start on the art of finishing concrete, but it gives a person a good idea on the basics of the final product.

I recently order this video and am very disappointed. I am a beginner and the video doesn't seem to cover enough information to make me confident in finishing concrete. There is very little detailed information. James Beville appears to be working at a job site and just explaining what he is doing to someone who happen to be videotapping it(not very professional video editing). There is no information on how to avoid problems such as scalling or cracking. The video is about 30 minutes long making it about a dollar a minute. I found more information for free on the net or spend your money on a good masonry book which will probably be less.

Video makes no mention of site preparation (excavating,
tamping,compaction etc etc)There is no mention of the
use of gravel or reinforcing steel mesh that are used in
conventional concrete work.The sidewalk/driveway video
is also very short (approx 30 minutes) ...overall I
feel this video is overpriced and a good book from any
local library would far surpass any "secrets" to be
found in this video.

Im a proud owner of this video and it really makes it very easy for the homeowner or do it yourselfer to under stand and to follow. Great job.

As a craftsman of concrete construction for over 17 years in several different states, I feel confidant in saying that I have seen just about every level (good and bad) of concrete work done by both the inexperienced and the professional. I,am forever being asked by homeowners to give them a price for some concrete work at there residence, most of the time the job is smaller and therefore generally costs more than they expect. These people unfortunately have to choose a less costly solution,usualy one that thay feel confidant in doing themselves. This is unfortunate becouse I've always known that with just a littel training and a few simple tools they could easily do it. I'ts about time somebody took the time to put together a simple easy to understand and follow do it yourself vidio on concrete finishing. I was very impressed! I've seen other (backyard) vidios on concrete finishing that left out crusial imformation, but Mr.Belville's vidio definitely has the "secrets" a person needs to be confidant enuff to get the job done right. A very professionally done tape I not only would recommend to the do-it yourselfer but the seasoned finisher as well.

Having little or no knowlage of how concrete was finished, I decided to order Concrete Secrets to see if I could pour my own patio. There are books on the subject, but the books just didn't quite illustrate concrete finishing enough for me to feel confindent in doing it my self. After reviewing the video and illustrated instructions, I called James Belville the producer of Concrete Secrets and asked him If he thought I could do it with help from my brother and one of my friends. He said "As long as the job was not to large, and you have enough help with you to get it placed in the forms, you will do fine, just follow the instructions that are included in the video." We poured the patio and followed the instructions in detail, two of my friends wheelbarrowed the concrete, my brother shoveled it in place, and I Rodded it off. My brother Tamped while I Bullfloated the patio.
The work was a little harder then I thought and took a little longer then I expected, and using the tools took a little getting use too, repeating Edging, Jointing and Fresno, after 5 hours we broomed it. I have to say, I'm proud of my work. I recommend Concrete Secrets to anyone who is thinking of doing there own concrete work and remember this type of work is physical.

For someone with no knowledge this video would be of some help. However, he shows no use of reinforcement in the driveway paving. Depending on your location (southern USA) you might not need it but here in Ohio it is critical. He makes no mention of stone as an underlayment which in areas with severve cold helps to prevent one area of the "slab" from raising above the surrounding pieces. Unfortunantly, I have not found any videos which are as comprehensive as this one. (Which isn't very good) In conclusion, if you're from a warm climate, this will serve you well.