Hand Tamping

Hand tamping, or jitterbugging with a tool, as shown in Figure 68, is done after the concrete has been screeded. Hand tamping is used to compact the concrete into a dense mass and to force the larger particles of coarse aggregate slightly below the surface. This enables you to put the desired finish on the surface. Use the tamping tool only with a low slump concrete (1”-2”), and bring just enough mortar to the surface for a proper finish. After using the jitterbug, you can go directly to using the bull float.