Cheap-Ass Tools: Living on the Edge
By Benjamen Johnson
Everyone wants that curb-and-gutter finished look for their driveways, but most of us are afraid to ask what it’d cost. Here’s a possibility of doing it on the cheap: you could buy Harbor Freight’s Curb Machine. The Curb Machine includes three different curb molds – flat mower style, curb style, and slant style. This 42″ x 19″ by 34″ machine runs on standard 115V power, so get out your extension cords if you have a long driveway.
Apparently, this same machine is sold nationally for $2,995, but since we’re talking Harbor Freight the price is a slightly lower $600. If you are the intrepid do-it-yourselfer, how can you pass up this deal?
Curb Machine [Harbor Freight]
November 26th, 2007 at 1:16 pm
This has got to be one of the biggest piece of **** I’ve seen lately. I did this for a summer job during college using something similiar. You need four people.
One to drive the truck, one to shovel hot top into the machine, one to guide the machine, oh and one with a FLAMETHROWER to keep the chute hot. Now throw in an electrical cord and this machine is not powered and it looks like the front wheel would melt in about twenty seconds. Hey but it is a good way to get a tan in November.
November 26th, 2007 at 1:21 pm
@Brtus: I had assumed the machine was for a thick concrete mortar, not asphalt
November 26th, 2007 at 1:23 pm
Yeah - definitely concrete, not asphalt
November 26th, 2007 at 1:25 pm
What are you talking about? This is a freaking CURB machine, it uses cement, not asphalt.
November 26th, 2007 at 3:16 pm
Nonetheless, the opportunity to use a flame thrower is appealing…
November 26th, 2007 at 6:10 pm
No wonder Brtus hated his summer job.
November 26th, 2007 at 7:53 pm
Ah concrete that would make a lot more sense, not too much concrete curb up north.
November 27th, 2007 at 12:11 pm
@Brtus
How far north are you talking about? I was just in Vermont this weekend and saw plenty of concrete curb.
November 27th, 2007 at 12:23 pm
Vermont’s not north
Most of Canada uses concrete curbs. Even a few concrete roads.
November 27th, 2007 at 10:36 pm
I just got one a these, it is alot heavier than I thought it would be, built well. I cant weight to try it.
But, ya still gota buy a mortar mixer, and those are not cheap. A decent used one is $1k if you can find it. And dont forget about the bed edger…$2500
November 29th, 2007 at 8:29 am
Harbor Freight forgot the trowels. You’ll need to get trowels made that fit the shapes of the forms. The professionals use trowels, A do it yourself person will need to also.
November 29th, 2007 at 9:37 am
Lil, you might have me at the mortar mixer, I’ve never put down curbing before, but I assume that the concrete has to mixed very stiff. I don’t know if a regular cement mixer would be up to the job.
But the bed edger seems a bit much to me. What are the chances that the ground is going to be the correct height to match the curb anyway, wouldn’t it just be simpler to dig about 3-4 feet into the lawn with a bobcat, then backfill to the curb?
They are putting in curb and gutter throughout our town starting next year so I’ll have to watch how they do it.
November 30th, 2007 at 9:06 am
A mortar mixer is best. A cement mixer will work, but it takes forever to mix. You use a real dry mix in these curb machines less than 0 slump.
You’ll need a trench approximately 2″ deep by 7-8 inches wide. The trencher pays for itself if you are going to do a few yards (time is money), but if you are doing one yard use a shovel.
January 14th, 2008 at 9:03 am
I was thinking of buying one of these for use in my own yard, has anyone used it yet that can review its performance? Anyone know the ratio (concrete/sand/water) in the mix for curbs?
February 27th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
THE mix ratio is on the pdf file from harbor frieght, done in 5 gallon buckets, says to use motar sand, anbody used one yet?
March 18th, 2008 at 10:48 am
There is a huge issue with this maching… no trowels to match the forms, so you cant finish the curb…. The company has no answer to this problem. Anyone else have any luck?
April 1st, 2008 at 10:07 pm
Look at any curb machine web and you will see how the trowels are so sinple to make. Just a reasonable thickness metal and bend to match the shoot shape then weld a vertical piece on top with a small pipe on top.