stepping stone molds

[canesisters]

I have one of those blue plastic barrels that will be cut in half this weekend to become my horse's new out side feeder. Originally, I had planned to drop a tire or two over the barrel so that she couldn't tip it over. But then I found out that not a single one of the tire shops in my area has used (trash) tires that will fit over a barrel. So then I thought that I would put several inches of concret in the bottom and hopefully that would make it so heavy that she can't tip it.
Well then, I got this idea:
If I take the other end and cut a ring - about 5" high from the open end - I could use that as a mold for stepping stones. Has anyone done this? I've been searching google for a while and can't find where anyone else has done this. They would be heavy - so I'd pour them in place... but what I can't find is HOW to get the ring off for the next one. Would I have to cut a side so I could peal it off??? Or is there a way to keep it whole and still get if off the stepping stone once its hardened?????

geez... I seem to be just full of half-baked ideas.....

 

[bobm]

Find a tractor dealer and see if they have a used tractor tire of the right size. As for forming stepping stones ... no forms needed : Mix the concrete fairly dry then use a shovel and place a few shovelfuls on the ground to the size and depth that you would like, then using a trowel, smooth out the top , next shape the sides. Make as many as you would like to have.

 

[Lavender2]

I have only used concrete to make the rhubarb leaf bird baths. Very fun and they turned out great, but I need a better back for that!

I have checked out making stepping stones a few times though, and some recommend using cooking spray or petroleum jelly. Your mold/ring would need to be smooth and straight sides I would think.

If I could just sweet talk DH into mixing a bunch of concrete ... Mosaic Stones

 

[digitS']

Mixing concrete isn't so tuff. The bags of pre-mix are heavy. Your wheelbarrow & a hoe is all you need in the way of tools for mixing. A sprinkler can is better than using a hose so you can easily control how much water goes into the mix.

I bet it would work just fine to do as Bob says and shape your mold in the soil. Probably wet it down the night before. The trowel & messing with smoothing it once or twice would be all that is needed. Sure save on trying to move them around.

I have done something like this using boxes. I have sat the cardboard boxes in the ground. They were square and about the right size. Those were my forms.

The basement guys use oil and spray their forms so that they can be pulled off & re-used. Those cardboard boxes just disappeared in a few weeks.

Half-baked ideas are the most fun & often, the best!

Steve

 

[catjac1975]

How will you wash it out and empty rain water if yo fill the bottom with concrete? WOn't it be too heavy?
You could dig a hole and drop the barrel into it to keep it from tipping.

 

[Smart Red]

I made stepping stones with the Grands. I used a plastic grocery bag over the mold and poured the cement into the mold. We let the cement harden a bit and added 'findings' such as old earrings, buttons, pretty stones, and bits of mirror. The Grands thought it was great fun and the stepping stones are still used in the sunny perennial beds.

 

[seedcorn]

What is a rhubarb leaf bird bath?

 

[baymule]

1.Take the barrel ring and spray it with Pam.
2. Place it where you want the stepping stone on smooth ground.
3. Bank the sides with dirt so it will keep it's shape and not leak concrete goo where you don't it.
4. When dry, cut the band off.
5. Clean the barrel band and DUCT TAPE it back together.

6.Then go to the duct tape repair thread and POST PICTURES!!!

 

[Lavender2]

What is a rhubarb leaf bird bath?

You put a large rhubarb leaf over a mound of sand and plaster it with concrete. Let it dry and peel off the leaf, then paint (or leave natural) and seal with concrete sealer. There's more to it than that but you get the idea. They sold as fast as I could make them.

It's a bit hard to tell from the photos but they are about 3" deep ... 12-18" leaves

 

[seedcorn]

You put a large rhubarb leaf over a mound of sand and plaster it with concrete. Let it dry and peel off the leaf, then paint (or leave natural) and seal with concrete sealer. There's more to it than that but you get the idea. They sold as fast as I could make them.

It's a bit hard to tell from the photos but they are about 3" deep ... 12-18" leaves

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Like them. So do you sit on ground, make a stand, etc?