Re: Making patio stones from cement?

[WileyCoyote]

I've done it msta. The problem is not with the cement I think so much as the separation between the stones that weakens the tensile strength. I used mine for a walkway; initially they broke up a little on the edges (as expected; I separated them a bit more) but the stones have been there 5 years now without any further breakage.

[WileyCoyote]

Yes, I put a sand bed down - after I dug up everything and smoothed the dirt, then smoothed the sand as well as I could while trying to pour the stones! LOL! Then I lightly sprinkle-poured the sand over the stones while they were still damp (not wet) for traction increase, and when they were completely dry poured sand all over the top and brushed it off with a broom to fill cracks and gaps.

The most important thing to have when pouring concrete or cement is a flat and level base, to keep the stones from cracking.

And you're right, the mesh sounds like too much trouble! I only used that when I poured a walkway bridge across a ditch.

[MadTripper]

Here is a pretty quick article on cement just fyi:

http://archive.tri-cityherald.com/home/HOME/home39.html

I know that the amount of water used when mixing cement has a profound affect on the strength in the final product. *The dryer you can make the concrete during the mixing process, the better off you'll be. *
As far as reinforcement goes, I would think small pieces of chicken wire would work great but I would think you could avoid it. *

I stumbled on this article as well that may help:

http://www.themoldstore.info/Make_Stone.html

Tripper

[WileyCoyote]

Yup, your molds are different! Mine I got from home Depot; lay 'em on the sand and pour the entire 50 pound sack of cement mixed with water into them, wait a few minutes til they set (use that time to mix up the next bag), then pull up the mold, reset it, and on to pour the next set. Lazy yet fast way. Sorry; I didn't think about the other type molds, and I should've - I have a ceramics shop where I use the same type!

[flatwater]

The base for the cement is important , a fine driveway gravel then sand makes a better base and try to tamp both surfaces down. Most of your molds are the 2 inch variety. I made my own and went 4 inches with rabbit wire for re-inforcement. But again I'm the worlds biggest overbuilder.
flatwater