OT - Making fake rocks

[whateg0]

I have a project that needs a pedestal/base, and while I could make it out of a simple metal disk, I think it would be neater to have a fake rock to set it on. I could use a real rock, but it would be unreasonably heavy, so fake it is. I'll still need to make a metal frame since it will be fairly large, so it's not entirely off topic.

I've found a few websites with instructions and everybody has differing opinions on what to use for materials, technique, etc. So, just to add to the pot, does anybody here have any experience making fake rocks? In particular, I'm after a limestone look.

Dave

[84ZMike]

Probably not exactly what you are looking for but....

http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/la_walls_floors/article/0,2041,DIY_13992_2269135,00.html

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=RNWE,RNWE:2004-22,RNWE:en&q=Faux+limestone

[Monte55]

I have a project that needs a pedestal/base, and while I could make it out of a simple metal disk, I think it would be neater to have a fake rock to set it on. I could use a real rock, but it would be unreasonably heavy, so fake it is. I'll still need to make a metal frame since it will be fairly large, so it's not entirely off topic.

I've found a few websites with instructions and everybody has differing opinions on what to use for materials, technique, etc. So, just to add to the pot, does anybody here have any experience making fake rocks? In particular, I'm after a limestone look.

Dave

Not sure how big your fake rock has to be. Some home centers and others
have fake rocks to put over meters and other ugly stuff in their lawn. Might be worth checking out.

[Sandy]

Don't the do something like the subframe you are talking about, then styrofoam then chicken wire and gunite??

Think that what I saw.

[Hotfoot]

...or...make your fake rock from sheet metal, then paint it with various flat paints, put some sand in the paint for texture. Look at the rock you would most like, study its form and color, then do it!

[whateg0]

Thanks all! I did see one page where the styrofoam method was discussed. I may end up doing something like that. I think right now the main thing I need help with will be the colors. I know I'll need some yellow and white and probably a black or gray.

As far as the pre-made rocks, all of the ones I recall seeing were the rounded smooth types. I've seen a lot of them used to hide phone boxes, or gas meters. It may be over my head, but I'd rather have a jagged limestone look. I have thought about making the form and then getting real stone and mortar and making it that way, but I think the single piece of concrete will be stronger. It doesn't have to be 'strong' per se, but it does need to be able to be moved occasionally, and since it will weigh more than a few pounds, I'm afraid it won't be handled gently.

The purpose of this is to cover a spot about 18" in diameter. I'm not sure what the guy is trying to cover, but it might be a gas meter or something like that. It doesn't have to be tall, maybe 6" or so, and shooting for an overall dimension of about 2' in diameter. Also, because of the size, I'm a bit concerned that somebody might stand on it. I can make the top less 'stand-on-top-of-me-friendly' but I keep reading that for the novice, simpler is better.

Anyway, I've done some more searching today, and I'll keep Googling away. In the end, I'll need to just dive right in.

Thanks again!

Dave

[Broccoli1]

So, just to add to the pot, does anybody here have any experience making fake rocks? In particular, I'm after a limestone look.

Dave

Yes- but when I did, many moons ago, we used large chunks of Foam. We also had the Set Sprayed with Foam and then carved out what we needed.

You can make yer Skeleton out of Chicken wire or out of wood and use regular ol' Spray Foam (for sealing cracks around the house)- any brand should do.

Shape it with a rasp.

Seal it with clear coat and then Paint

[whateg0]

Ed, I guess I shoulda known you'd have some set making experience. I remember back when I was in HS acting and making sets. Seems like only - sorry, got to daydreaming of times when I didn't have any bills or other 'real' responsibility. Back to the task at hand. I think I want to stay away from foam. For something that is protected from the elements and rambunctious kids, it would probably be okay. I'd still need something for ballast, but the wooden frame might be enough. For this, though, I think I want something less likely to show damage from a teenager with a mower, or a weed-eater, which would surely make quick work of the foam. Thanks for the idea, though.

I actually have a few cans of that spray foam around. I use it for making molded foam packaging for my hitch covers. Works pretty slick!

Dave

[CF1975]

Limestone

How big does the rock need to be? Also, how much interior space do you need? I am way off in left field, but it got me thinking. Here in North FL, we have a lot of exposed limerock and it is VERY easy to shape and cut. I guess they used to cut tombstones out of it. There is a little sink here that has multiple slabs cut from the outcroppings. Just wondering if you could actually use a chunk of the real stuff. You could drill a series of holes on the bottom, chunk it out, continue until you get the clearance you need. It would be heavy, but definitely convincing as a rock

-Chuck

[usmcpop]

How about playing with a concrete/perlite mix? You can mold, carve (before it hardens), whatever. Use more white cement if you want it lighter in color, and experiment with different sand or fine filler materials.

http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/how-to/articles/make-hypertufa-trough.aspx

http://www.artificialrock.ca/concrete.html

http://mysite.verizon.net/bonniehill/ponds/pages/recipes.html

[whateg0]

Thanks, Pop! I did realize that I'll have almost or just a little more than 1 cubic foot, which should be about 160# of Quikrete. So, I think some Perlite is in order. I'm not sure how much I can add before the durability drops off significantly. I think I want to try to keep the weight down to about 100# or maybe just a little more. It needs to be manageable for 1.5 people.

Dave

[wroughtnharv]

I thought you meant a rock.

[whateg0]

Dang Harv! Where have you been??? I don't think I've seen you 'round these parts (Weldtalk) in, well, close to a long time, or somethin' like that. I'd forgotten about your stuff. I need to go back to your website and see how you painted some of that stuff!

Thanks!!!

Dave

[Broccoli1]

Dang Harv! Where have you been??? I don't think I've seen you 'round these parts (Weldtalk) in, well, close to a long time, or somethin' like that. I'd forgotten about your stuff. I need to go back to your website and see how you painted some of that stuff!

Thanks!!!

Dave

Dave-

http://www.hobartwelders.com/weldtalk/showthread.php?t=29447

[whateg0]

Uh, yeah. I saw that. Oops.

Dave