| So you may have started to look around for a way to | | | | the cement/stone/sand/water mixture until you get the |
| make some additional income. You want to make | | | | right consistency. With a mixer you simply add in your |
| good money and be your own boss. | | | | sand/stone/cement/water and let the mixer spin while |
| How about starting your own decorative concrete | | | | you do other tasks. They can be purchased for |
| molds business?? | | | | around $500 and use a simple household electrical plug. |
| What do I need to get started? | | | | 4. Tools |
| Well most of these items you may already have | | | | Shovel - for scooping your sand and stone |
| around your house or shop. So setting up and starting | | | | Bucket - for moving mixed cement and pouring in your |
| your own business can be inexpensive and the profits | | | | mold |
| are huge. | | | | Rasp/File - for cleaning up any edges of the finished |
| 1. Molds | | | | cement garden art |
| Probably one of the most important pieces needed. If | | | | Screwdriver, hammer and pliers - always handy to |
| you have poorly crafted and low quality molds your | | | | have around |
| finished goods will look it as well. There are lots of | | | | 5. Release agent |
| varieties of molds in the market. Aluminum, single use | | | | The release agent is an oil or waxed based product |
| plastic, rubber, fiberglass, wood, and even nature itself. | | | | that is applied to your molds before pouring in the |
| But if you want the best and most reliable molds that | | | | concrete. It creates a barrier between the mold and |
| give you the least amount of grief, a good latex rubber | | | | the cement so they do not bind and are easily |
| mold with a fiberglass casing to support the rubber is | | | | released when dry. Release agents also help to |
| your answer. Sure you can buy cheaper molds that | | | | extend the longevity of your molds by keeping them |
| you need to sit in some sand and pack around it, but | | | | soft and not allowing the cement to pull bits off the |
| you can't always get it right. THose molds can be | | | | mold. Different molds take different release agents so |
| frustrating to use and cut into your profit because of all | | | | it is best to ask the mold manufacturer. Some latex |
| the fiddling around you will have to do. How do you | | | | rubber molds need a non-petroleum based oil so as |
| vibrate any air bubbles out if the item is buried in your | | | | not to destroy the rubber and cause it to soften and |
| sand box? With molds that have self-supporting cases | | | | melt. You can either mix your own release agent with |
| you everything is self-contained and easy to use. You | | | | castor oil and mentholated spirits or buy a premade |
| can pour right in the mold, shake out the bubbles, and | | | | mixture. Release agents are usually hand rubbed or |
| set the mold aside to dry. | | | | lightly sprayed on to your molds. |
| Also when you have a quality rubber mold, it allows | | | | 6. Table |
| you to get the detail of a professional sculptor. | | | | Just a simple place to allow you to work on finishing |
| So quality molds produces quality garden art, which | | | | your dried art work at an eye level vs working on the |
| puts more money in your pocket for your effort. | | | | floor. |
| 2. Cement and Sand and Stone and Water | | | | 7. Paint brush and paint |
| Cement - bagged Portland cement from any | | | | How are you going to finish your dried concrete |
| hardware or building supply store. Yes you can use | | | | garden art off? You can leave them the simple white |
| the QuickCrete mix if you wish but then you are | | | | or grey concrete, but by adding color you can add |
| paying for sand and stone at retail prices. I recommend | | | | more value and charge more for them. A good quality |
| getting a white Portland cement. It may cost a bit more | | | | exterior paint works best. Remember to leave the |
| but produces a nicely colored item. | | | | bases unpainted to allow the cement to breathe. |
| Sand - Dry, clean, and washed course river sand. | | | | 8. Rags |
| Stone - a pea gravel works well. It is not necessary | | | | Ok pretty basic clean up tool! |
| for smaller molds but does give strength to the | | | | 9. Vibrating table |
| cement. The stone will not show in your finished item. | | | | This is an optional accessory. A vibrating table is a |
| Water - fresh clean cold water | | | | metal platform mounted on springs or rubber with a |
| 3. Mixer | | | | vibrating motor attached. The vibrating shakes out the |
| Your mixer could be a simple wheelbarrow or small | | | | trapped air bubbles and settles the concrete for a nice |
| electric mixer. Most people have a wheelbarrow lying | | | | clean finish. They cost from $500 and upward. For |
| around, so by using it does not add to any startup | | | | smaller molds a simple rubber hammer and hand |
| costs. With the wheelbarrow you need to hand turn | | | | shaking will work just as well. |