Making a Concrete Millstone Fountain
splats
11 years ago
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gardenecstasy
11 years agosplats
11 years agoRelated Discussions
Disguise a concrete well cover with a thin hypertufa "millstone"?
Comments (3)Thanks for being smart enough to post what zone you are in. People don't realize that it helps in giving suggestions. I've never done this but have added a thick covering to a friend's retaining wall. It can be done but don't know how well it would hold up. It can also add considerable weight depending on the mix you use. If the cover has to be removed there's the possibility of cracking. I thought maybe tiles in your zone but that could have a cracking problem if you have to remove cover. I think even weather (after the Winter cold we've had this year in southern US) could cause tiles to pop off in your zone. What about painting or staining the cover a color to blend in or standout and top with a planter. You could make a planter yourself from hypertufa or buy a fiberglas one and plant with a tree, shrub, perennials or annuals. The planter could easily be removed if you have to remove the cover. If you go with a planter make sure it can stand your winter's. All cement based planters in a freeze/thaw zone either need to be planted with a tree/shrub or left in place, dry soil completely and covered with heavy plastic to keep out water or emptied of potting soil, turned up side down. One of my neighbor's made a small wooden wishing well and placed on top of his well cover. He plants annuals in the wishing well bucket. Hope you find a solution....See MoreMillstone (photo)
Comments (18)Your millstone looks great Mike. I just made one as well yesterday morning....demolded and did some carving (I made some grooves on it and patterned it all the way around) to-day. I used a 45 gallon hard plastic (about 1/4' thickness) drum that my hubby ran through one of his power saws at 6" heights. We were able to get 6 mold rings out of it. My millstone is 24" round and about 4" thick. I will take some pics tommorrow evening and try to get them posted. We were in Aylmer this afternoon and I saw a pretty big millstone at the entrance to their fairgrounds. I asked Steve if he will take some photo's of it for me tommorrow so I will post them as well if he gets them I had been wanting to make a millstone all summer for a waterfall as well..but have been waaay to busy to play much in the mud or get on this forum(although I have been sneaking in every few weeks when I have gotten a moment or two.) With the colder weather settling in around us( I have a nice workshop in my basement that hubby made for me last year) I am hoping I will put it to good use throughout the winter. There are so many things I am wanting to make....See More'Millstone'
Comments (11)I do have some more photos, but they're not transferred to Photobucket yet. I can also take a few shots of the "stones" I have in my garden. I'm going out of town for a couple of days so if you can allow me that I'll be glad to share the details later in the week. Countrygrl: You should be able to find the water heater pans at any DIY place that sells water heaters or replacement parts. I picked up mine at the local Do It Best store. Be sure you purchase a PLASTIC pan, not a metal one. I forgot to mention that the hole in the center is made with a square half gallon milk container. I fill it with water so it can withstand the weight of the mortar mix. I also put it in a plastic bag, I use those plastic sleeves that newspapers come in. This makes it easier to remove when you're ready to unmold your creation. I'll be back in a couple of days!...See MoreMore millstones and info
Comments (18)nmgirl, Your millstones are really, really very nice! Thank you so much for posting your photo's with all this great information for everyone! My DH and I made 2 large spheres this past week, and still working on the stands. Was pondering on making another and one of these stone would look great with a sphere in the middle! Also have checked the prices out on the web for these and know that this would be the answer to 'make one', (can't imaging what the shipping would be either lol); I also like to do 'crete-art' and like the above poster said concrete work can be/is lots of blood sweat and tears...but fun! You really should post this on the Hypertufa Form, junk?? I don't think so...don't take this the wrong way fellow junkers I love this form, you are such happy people and I've required lots of great junk also! Have a good one Wendy...See Moregardenecstasy
11 years agosplats
11 years agoLidror L’Chaim
last year
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