Do i need to use a wacker plate before laying my patio?

Question

Planning on laying a patio in the next few days. I've prepared the ground and at the point of laying hardcore, but wasn't sure if it was totally neccessary to use a waker plate before laying sand & slabs. Don't really want to hire one, due to access & other difiiculties, won't jumping up & downsuffice?!

Answer 1

4-by-4 square post or tamper. A tool with a long handle and a flat metal head, used in a "stomping" type motion to flatten ground, gravel or other type of materials, for gardening or landscaping tasks.

I think using the proper tool would be best, in the longer term.

Answer 2

They're called plate tampers and yes you do need to tamp the stone before laying the patio.  You can rent these machines at a reasonable price.  There are hand tampers but you shouldn't use it because you can't generate the force needed to tamp the stone properly.   The machine is required as you won't get the same force from anything else.