i want to know how to build a wishing well in my yard out of rocks and mortar?

Answer 1

Easiest method is to get something to stack around... a roll of sheetmetal, (simply screw the ends together), 'bendy' plywood (unlike normal plywood with the outer layer running lengthwise of the ply, the 'bendy' ply is only 3 layers, with the outer layers running ACROSS the play... the center layer is very thin... this comes in 1/4" and 3/8" thicknesses...very handy for making plywood tubes, hehehe)...even wire fencing can work, if you get some that is stiff enough to work with.

Now... a stone and mortar wishing well is going to be a bit heavy, so you should give some thought to pouring a small pad for it to sit on.

Once you have your 'tube', start by putting down a layer of mortar, and then start placing your stones. You want to keep working with a 'wet' edge to the mortar....so, once you start, keep at it... it will help the mortar bond. Put down a little mortar, and put in a few stones to begin with, putting mortar beside the stone as you go, to stick the next stone into. Do this to your desired height. If you are going to put a roof over the well, as is often commonly seen, you have a couple of options... you can put a couple of bolts into the wet mortar, with the threads sticking up, that you can drill some lumber to go over after the mortar dries... or you can go ahead and build and assemble the roof, and then simply attach it to the stone 'ring' with some construction adhesive.

This isnt a terribly complicated process... just time consuming heheh.

Have Fun!

Edit: Adding some additional requested info :)

Ok, Lets plan on using wire mesh... for the tube, and for the reinforcement of the pad. You can simply 'twist tie' the wire mesh into a cylinder shape for your wishing well. Most concrete mesh comes in about 4 inch open squares... depending on the size of the stones you are using, you might want to get something with a smaller hole spacing, like 2 x 4 inch, or even 1 x 4 inch. This is typically called wire fence, rather than mesh... typically used for pet pens, like dogs, rabbits, etc. "Chicken Wire" could also be used, tho, you might have to make two loops of it for the tube, to make it strong enough to hold up... it's made of a smaller wire, than the other mesh, or fence products. All of the wire products can be cut with wire cutters, or snips. Make the tube, only as tall as the stonework is going to be, even if you have to cut it down a bit. (Most wire mesh comes in 3 to 4ft widths, about 8ft length, or on a roll, of anything from 2 ft to 4ft widths)

The purpose of the pad is just to help spread the weight of the wishing well out a bit. You can make it flush with the ground, or have it lay on top, either way is fine. You do need to at least scrape the dirt level, and remove any large clumps of grass.

To make the pad, I would use some 2"x4" lumber, and simply screw the 4 pieces together at the corners. The 2 smaller pieces should be at least 2 inches longer than the outside diameter of your wishing well. The longer pieces will need to be about 3" longer than the shorter pieces to account for the thickness of the lumber. This will keep your pad, roughly, square. Screw thru the longer pieces into the ends of the shorter pieces, making a square frame, with the wood sitting on its edge.

I would use a piece of wire mesh cut just a couple of inches smaller than the inside of the wood frame as reinforcement. Pour a little concrete into the frame, when are ready, say about half full. Then lay the mesh in place, centering it roughly. (Just so long as you dont have any of the wire touching the frame, youre ok). Finish filling the frame with concrete, and use either a concrete floate, or a piece of scrap 2x4 to smooth it off, by running it over the top of the concrete, much like you would wipe a countertop. (Another method, is to use a piece of straight lumber about 8" larger than the frame,and holding it up on edge, slide it back and forth, as you push it along the top of the frame, from one side to the other... this will level off the concrete with the top of the frame, and cause the gravel to settle a bit, leaving a smooth finish.)

There is an 'edge' tool you can buy, when getting your concrete and mortar... that will put a small rounded edge along the perimeter of the pad. Wait about 1/2 hour or so, after pouring the concrete, and leveling it off... then run this tool, around the inside of the frame. Doesnt cost much, and makes for a nice neat edge.

For the "tube" -- I would use wire mesh, or fencing...the same stuff you used to reinforce the pad. The mortar you use between the stones, will tend to overlap the mesh wire, and this will actually help strengthen your stone work. Just leave it in place.

One more item.... on your first layer of stone.... put a small piece of plastic water pipe, from inside the wire, to outside the stones... this will act as a drain tube, just in case you should get some rainwater inside the wishing well. So, if youre using 4" stones, the tube should be about 6". Just make sure not to cover the outer end of the tube with mortar, hehehe.

I think that covered all your questions... I could not reply by the email, because your email hasnt been verified it said. You can take care of that by going to your profile page, and setting it up.

If you have any further questions, don't hesitate to ask :)

Here is a link showing what the concrete edger and float look like:

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productCompare&lpage=none&referurl=productList%26No%3D96%26Ne%3D8000%26N%3D0+5001075%26category%3DCement+and+Masonry



Have Fun!

Answer 2

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