[nazali]

txs guy's going out to Lowes today and picking up an Axe, a fork (my handle borke) and a digging shovel, I've also got a lopper.

I'm going to swing that baby on to that root and see what happens, and then take back some of that soil, I also think I was using the wrong type of spade, I had a square type spade. Which is not too great for digging in, its more for shoveling dirt

Like I said I don't have the right tools. I'll see how far I get and the look at the saw

[chassis]

Consider also buying a hatchet, or buy the hatchet instead of the axe.

Because you are working close to the ground and in somewhat restricted access, the hatchet is easier to swing. The root is not big so a few hatchet blows should do the job.

A small mattock will loosen soil around and expose the root so the hatchet can do its job.

[nazali]

Looks like the thing I was calling a pickaxe is actually a mattock LOL.

I went for the axe as it will help with my other hobby "dismembering bodies"
LOL,

txs for the advise, I'm going to have a crack tomorrow, will post my results

Originally Posted by chassis

Consider also buying a hatchet, or buy the hatchet instead of the axe.

Because you are working close to the ground and in somewhat restricted access, the hatchet is easier to swing. The root is not big so a few hatchet blows should do the job.

A small mattock will loosen soil around and expose the root so the hatchet can do its job.

[nazali]

wow I'm pooped, (I think that's more due to my heart issue) so some points

1 Chassie yes a hatched would have been better, more control
2 God how come the make use an axe so easy, I had problems getting the same spot !
3 In the end after a few chops, I got down on knees and used a bolster an hammer and that finished it off.
4 I've done more of a slope/gradient as I want to run the shingle/stones up to the tree, not how sure that will go or stay.
5> I'll be getting some bags and putting them down and tamping them down a bit

here's the pics not too bad, the nasties that could be scratching my wheels are now gone

[nazali]

wondering if some polymeric sand on top of the shingles as a final coating will help keep them in place ?
Or does it just need to be tamped down
I was thinking of a clear epoxy (I have a can I can't remember the name of it) watered down and applied with a watering can,

[chassis]

Looks good. Yes, a hatchet is the tool as you have discovered, but an axe can get the job done as well.

You have embarked on a paving project. The number one important factor in paving is, "base".

Base is a deep, well-compacted layer of stone, then sand. Base depth depends on the load applied. A patio or terrace load is low, because people and furniture are the use case.

You are attempting to pave an area that carries a high load: a vehicle.

Base depth of 4" - 6" plus a 1' - 2" layer of sand is needed, plus pavers of 2" - 3" thick. This means up to 11" deep excavation (digging) below the existing driveway. Time to get the axe and shovel back out of storage.

You can certainly put thinner pavers down on a thin or no base. If you take the easy route, you will need to repair the area once or twice per year due to insufficient load carrying capability. This is a project that needs to be done right if you don't want continual aggravation.

Have you asked for quote from a concrete company to do a proper job with poured concrete? They can do this in 4 hours. It will take you (or me) much longer.

[nazali]

yeah I can't excavate down, due to the city tree, that's as far as I dare go.
Hence shingles, I don't mind having to maintain it once/twice a year.
And yes your right, I did a small area once, and yes did the 4-6" (no fott traffic just looks) pavers, polymeric the whole 9, came out quite good

[nazali]

started putting some stones down

3/4" white stone,

[chassis]

Looks like a good start.

[nazali]

Well all finished up,
So I put down some dry cement mixture and levelled it off with some 1/2" white rock, I left it for a week, drove over it it also rained and the cement hardend up

yesterday I poured on a couple of bags of 3/4" white rock and tamped it down

and today I put some 1. 1/2 (or 1 3/4) rock down,

I wanted to build up the size of the rocks gradually as I didn't know how it would look, and wasn't sure how much I needed.

It seems ok, there's a small gap as that is where a really big old root is,

It just for driving over to park side by side,
it'll do !

LOL