When forming up footing do you use a hammer drill to drive the steel stakes or hand drive them in??

Hammer drive if you're smart. sledge hammer if you're young.

Not a concrete guy but have been on a lot of construction sites and all I've seen used is 8 lb. and larger hammers. Guys who work concrete are tough.

Hand drive them in we just formed 3200 ft of footings today wood stakes work best if possible

Yep use a hammer. Keep it below the form so you can skreed on the form. Screw them in or concrete can lift the form. Oil up the forms. If you are finishing the face wiggle the forms off after it sets enough or chunks of concrete can get pulled off when removing. My old boss always said, " I want to work the concrete. I don't want the concrete to work me."

I use a 6 lb maul everyone has preference on size

I was just wondering what the practice has been these days. I help a guy out in doing a few jobs a year and in the past everything driven by hand. That is one of the hardest things for me to do and was wondering if any use the hammer drill to a point then hand pound them to where they need to be. I plan helping again but getting tougher on the this old guy.

I've driven a lot of wood for a very long time. My biggest problem is loss of flexibility bending over. Granted they're survey hubs, I've found kneeling on one knee makes it easier and still prefer a 6 lb. hammer.

They call em BFH's.

^ well one thing it is only doing to be a few jobs. Hard work for sure when not in shape for that type of work.

I remember those days. Always hated those sex stones.

I wouldn’t use cement for footings. Concrete would work better. Calling concrete cement is like calling cake flour.

That's what the kids are for. I'm old and in the tunneling business. The kids are phasing me out (I can't keep up with them).

Only time I use a hammer drill is we are down to bedrock. Otherwise 4 pound hammer. I like stakes below the forms unless impossible and do things right the first time.

No kids just two old SOB's doing these crawl spaces and walls etc.. He is a lot older then I and is an animal.

bankrunner >>> I use a lighter club also, those heavy mauls are to much for me.

Only get the mall out for wood stakes if we are in sand or really need something to hold and brace for pressure. Smack stake and vice grips to pull. Iowa soils( clay, sand, and mixed rocky crap.)

Pretty hard to drive a spike with a tack hammer !!

A heavier hammer requires less effort in the long run Snowy.

Wood stakes are generally easier unless you are in rocky soil. Then everything gets challenging

^ ya, that is true but seems to be easier for me then a heavy maul. No wood all steel stakes.

Whatever is the easiest for an old guy works !!

Short handled 8# sledge. For one time use wood stakes, if it is your business then steel stakes,