Any crafters/do it your selfer's that use concrete for decoration? see details???

Question

I have a "form" I bought long ago, that makes "cobble stone" by using quickcrete/concrete mix.....you can make one little 3x3 area of stones, or turn the form every other time and make complete paths....works great, used it a long time ago...would like to use it again, while on my days off, hubby has to work, so it's my little project, and the weather is perfect for it this Mon/Tues....My question is can I do the mixing without having a wheel barrow...??? I would appreciate any advice, thanks ahead of time!!!

have a large "rubber maid" type container, big, could I mix it in that, what I am worried about is mixing too much also at one time, and having a concrete "chunk".....ANY experienced suggestions I'd be grateful!

Answer 1

All valid answers so far and YES work small areas at a time. I've also been involved in theater as long as in contracting and for many projects PRE-MIX is as long lasting as I will be.

The bucket idea is fine, and the consitency easy enough to control, perhaps even in doing the job with a half full bucket of dry mix and slowly adding water till you have masked potato. As a "crafter" I'll assume you won't mind mixing even doing so with your hands.

In any case GOOD on ya, just enjoy the results.

Steven Wolf

Answer 2

If the size of the rubber made container is about 18 to 24 wide and as long or longer they work well for smaller projects get a spade or hoe to do the mixing as they work well also for getting a good mix without hard spots or dry spots .
To know how much place you're template on a piece of ply wood fill it up with dry and see what you have left this way you have a close idea of measure and you can take the dry from the plywood and place it in you're container to mix without much mess! Make sense?

Answer 3

I have used quickcrete before in theatre for textural surfaces. We mix it in a 5 gallon paint bucket with an electric paint mixer. Make a hole in the the center of the lid and make a slice from the hole to the edge of the lid. This will allow you to put the mixer in the bucket but will keep the mixture from slinging everywhere. If you are mixing a full 5 gallons worth I would recommend using a 1/2" chuck mixing paddle with your drill. A paint store will know what you are looking for-home depot will not. They only have small paint mixing paddles. Good luck to you!!!

Answer 4

Try finding a 5 gallon bucket to mix in. That way you can mix only what you need and not the whole bag at once. And much easier to handle and get a better direct pour.