I'm trying to even out my dirt/rock garage floor by adding 3-4 in of 1/4" and below limestone fines and mixing/raking in type I / II portland cement into the top 2-3 in.  Idea was to use a plate compactor to get it mashed down then sprinkle with water, compact, sprinkle.  Well, the small rock mixture with the slippery cement powder doesn't seem to be suitable for a plate compactor as the machine tends to borough down through the substrate spitting it out from the sides, even at it's slowest speed.  This is a problem I'm guessing larger rock mixtures don't suffer from.  So now I'm left trying to figure out how to get this stuff compacted, I guess by hand?  The good news is the rock the machine managed to compact looked fairly good with no gaps.  The cement is mixed in thoroughly and fairly deep.  Although I'll be watering/misting I'd say gingerly I plan on giving it enough water so it reaches the bottom layers, and keep it damp over the next week as it cures.

 

My only ideas for compacting so far are either a 8x8 hand tamper or possibly a weighted roller?  Any suggestions?

I'd bet either of the 2 would work, but the hand tamper will be slow (and maybe painful, depending on your age ). The roller idea should be easier and faster. Just a guess.

Concrete cures after water is added.  The first time you wet it sets the curing process in motion.  Wetting and rolling a second time may not be beneficial.

 

Oh I didn't wet it.  I was gonna compact then wet but didn't get this far.

 

I've got myself a 10 x 10 tamper from the big box and just gonna go that direciton.

Well I pulled the trigger on the floor and raked it out even, wetted and tamped it all down.  Looks like it's gonna turn out ok for my first floor but not entirely ideal. 

It's got some shallow places that are gonna need evening out.

 

Any suggestion for any kind of floor leveler that would work on a floor like this that's gonna remain damp (with my continued watering) for about the next week as it cures?

moved topic to home improvement forum.

I can't offer any suggestions bradley, I am not familiar with this type of floor, I am sure some of our folks will be along to offer more great suggestions, best of luck to ya!

Thanks John honestly I hope NO ONE has experience with this kind of floor because it's a booger to work with.  If I did one like this again I think I'd have to throw some 3/4" in to help it lock together.  Thanks for the well wishes brother!

I'm scratching my head over the idea of compacting rock..

They will be about as compacted as they are going to be the moment they are spread out.   They don't really  crush down into each other like soil will.

And since you want concrete I say get that rock outta there and just do a pour..  What you described won't get you a thick enough layer of concrete to take much of a  load at all.

Turns out with this size rock you're right.  I ended up spreading it out then raking about 1000 lb cement into the top 2" and watering it.  Made for a somewhat bumpy but serviceable floor.