I have the Neomix from Cheng, polisher and all the materials I need for my Concrete Counter trial. I am awfully fussy, so I thought I best start with a trial that could be thrown away should I hate it. I am planning to build a mould and cast face down since I fear my finishing skills would lead to far too much grinding. I would like to use the decorative aggregates I have. Is it best to add them into the mix or try to adhere them to the finish surface? I read somewhere that a good start was to add 1/2lb of the dec aggs per cu ft, but that seems very very light after looking at a 1/2lb quan.
Thanks
Replies
If they are decorative, why would you want them buried in the bottom of the finished top? I would spread them in the bottom of the mold before the mix goes in. That way you get to adjust the layout to get the best finished look.
"Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
I was concerned they will float once I turn on the vibrator, but if that is how it is done I will give it a whirl. I know any pieces (shells or other) that they embed are siliconed down.
Thanks
Brad
The other option is to mix more than one batch, with the decorateve aggregate in the first batch.
Personally I would use a bit of wax to adhere decorative objects to the form instead of silicone. I think any residual wax would polish in quite easily.
glad I asked this Q. thks
Brad
108112.1
if you find a piece of lexan for your mold ( i get and use old sign faces ...use the back side) leaves a very slick finish... i use johnsons paste wax (floor wax) as a release agent... i also use it to fill corners to a slight curve... it's also what i'd use to hold things in place i wanted to embed..... if you have decorative aggregates the only way you'll expose them is thru grinding... so like was posted i'm make a decorative aggregate rich mix and place it first (maybe 1/2" thick) ... then back it up with a standard mix....
let us know how it turns out...
oh yeah just cause you make a sample doesn't mean you'll ever be able to make one just like it again... i've never had 2 come out the same even when the mix came from the same batch
p
Glad to see you post here. I tried search for some of your comments on this work and couldn't get any to pop up. Edit for spelling .
They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.
Edited 8/8/2008 10:35 pm by dovetail97128
Thks for the tips. Yeah I suppose they will not turn out the same. I will call it practice to make sure I get the mixing and polishing right.
The more I think about it the 1/2" batch with the dec agg makes the most sense. It would take a lot of time to glue the individual stones down.
Brad
http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=101058.1
Hi brad. Lots of info shared in this thread. Don't know if you've seen it.
I'm working away from a computer during the week but I'll check how you go next weekend.
Listen to Ponytl-got some great tips from him.
Cheers,
Pat
Couldnt find that one. Big thanks.
How's it coming?
that thread, again - 101058.1
If you still can't link into it, use the search function for 'concrete counter' and you'll find a week's worth of reading.
Pictures?
Thx,
Pat
I tried sprinkling the dec agg on the mold surface and it turned out to be a bad idea. I had a few spots where the decrative aggs were a little too thick so some flecked off when I flipped the piece (instant fill spot) plus it didnt bind very well with the concrete due to the small piece sizes. After a bit of work I am amazed I salvaged the piece. A bit of the slurry and some patience and it is going to be a good table top. I will post a pic when it is done (not much). All in all a great learning excercise.
How do you edge your pieces? I know you silicone the corners to make the profile but you must have to clean it up a bit. I used my polisher, but I am finding that this is pretty hard on the discs. I have seen the ones the granite guys use, but I thought you might have another idea. Your rotary hammer tip idea was great. I am going to use my air one on the next cast.
Mold #2 is ready to go.
Brad
I tried sprinkling the dec agg on the mold surface and it turned out to be a bad idea. I had a few spots where the decrative aggs were a little too thick so some flecked off when I flipped the piece (instant fill spot) plus it didnt bind very well with the concrete due to the small piece sizes. After a bit of work I am amazed I salvaged the piece. A bit of the slurry and some patience and it is going to be a good table top. I will post a pic when it is done (not much). All in all a great learning excercise. Yeah, Ithink it's better to put it in the mix--perhaps a small mix just to line the form--for the surface. Vibrate well, then lay in the rest iwth less, or without the dec. agg.
How do you edge your pieces? I know you silicone the corners to make the profile but you must have to clean it up a bit. I used my polisher, but I am finding that this is pretty hard on the discs. I have seen the ones the granite guys use, but I thought you might have another idea. Your rotary hammer tip idea was great. I am going to use my air one on the next cast. That little bead of silicone that I put in my molds creates a perfect little radius. I try to avoid it when I finish the top b/c it's so clean. For polishing and finishing, you need the 4" diamond wet pads, run on a variable speed grinder--down @ less than 3,000 rpm. Is this what you're using? Those are really it. I wish they made that outfit bigger though. 4" is so small. There's a seller on ebay that will send you what you need for less than 50$ Good luck!
Mold #2 is ready to go.
Truth be told, I didnt find all the tips for vibrating before casting the trial piece. That added to the slurry part of the excercise.
I did buy a flex polisher and am looking at some diff polishing stones for edging. I polished the edges with the discs
Pics of my setup are attached if anyone is interested.
Brad
http://s272.photobucket.com/albums/jj176/Brad805/?action=view¤t=4338fc89.pbw