Concrete finishing tool

[KARL]

I have had no success in tracing a source for a tool commonly used to add the finishing touch to cast-in-situ concrete paving. This tool makes the pattern of little dimples that you see so often in concrete pavement areas (not pre-cast slab types). It looks very much like a standard paint roller (perhaps slightly shorter and larger diameter) and once the concrete is 'floated' (smoothed to a quite flat surface) you carefully roll this thing over the still soft surface again and again until you have sort of stencilled in the pattern. Does anyone know where I can get one ?

[paulz]

Karl - go to your local hire shop, HSS definately have one you can rent [or used to] failing them try a builders merchants

[KARL]

I have tried HSS and builders' merchants, most say they know what I mean and none has it. I have tried numerous other leads but drawn nothing but total blanks.

[coggles]

This may sound like a daft suggestion, but I have done something similar in the past. If you buy a good quality, strong roller, you could wrap something around the roller, like astroturf, 'spiky' plastic (like the sort that you put down on the floor to protect your carpet). Off-cuts or samples from flooring stores are good. It does work, honest!

[paulz]

Karl - you don't say where you live. Try typing "Indent Roller" into MSN search or whatever engine you use. Hire I'd reckon on �10 for a w/end and around �5 - �6 per day.

[banana]

I watched workmen finishing off large sections of concrete paths on council houses and they all used a simple yard brush to get a surface. Some dragged the brush across the still wet concrete which gave shallow ridges -and others stippled the brush which gave a more..um.. stippled effect.Failing that -Im supposing you want a 'posher' effect- you could try making your own as previously suggested.

[KARL]

At least I now know what the thing is called, thanks paulz. But I still have not found a local source, nor any sales outlet anywhere - but I think I'll give up now. What I did not mention before is that I am doing a patching job where the dimples (indentations) are in the original and I want to match the new with the old. I think I will end up using a stick or top end of a cheap ball-point pen and do each indentation manually ! Thanks all.