This week, at terrazzo, we have created a support for a mosaic. A simple tile made of cement and sand, stabilized by an iron line bent in shape with tongs. The nice thing is: you can create those concrete forms in whatever form you like. Vases, bowls or planters, for example, can be produced in this way. The advantage is that the material costs are very low. The effort should of course be in relation to your project. Give it a try. You can use any negative mold (also plastic cans, tubs or mugs) as a base. Just do not forget that you should be able to lift the object afterwards. The concrete form is weather resistant – even in freezing temperatures.
How to make a concrete tile
Material
Sand, cement, water, iron wire (diameter 0.3 mm , length 2 meters), plaster, butter or soap
Tools
Tongs, spatula (rounded tip), plastic container (for mixing the cement mass), iron rods (height is equal with hight of future tile), hammer
Method
Tile shape: For the limitation of the tile we have simply taken 4 iron rods, layed them in a square forming the desired dimensions and fixed them with plaster. If you have a form in the size you need, just skip this.
Iron shape for stabilization: The iron wire (adds stability to the form) is hooked into the head of the drilling machine and “smoothed out ” into a rod. From the iron rod form a slightly smaller form, which must be very flat of course, so that it fits to the form of the tile.
Cement-sand mixture: Mix 1 part cement with 3 parts sand thoroughly and add water gradually. Stir well until a homogeneous clay-like mass is formed, which is not too moist.
Filling the tile shape: After you have well greased the inside of the form, spread the cement-sand mixture evenly in the mold with a spatula. First, approximately half the height. Now you push the iron mold for stabilization into the ground (it should of course be positioned as centrally as possible) and cover it with another layer of cement-sand mass. Pay attention when filling out that no air bubbles remain and fill the corners of the form well. Fill the form with a little more mass than necessary (about 1-2 mm higher than the form). Now you take an iron rod and stroke slowly over the ground, sliding along on the boundary, so that the mass gets further compressed and the surface gets even.
Remove the tile shape: Now we have to wait until the mold has hardened (approx. 24 hours). The limitation of the tile can then be removed by beating off the plaster and gently dissolve the iron bars with a hammer.
Tips: At school, we work on a concrete table, but a plastic table cloth should also be okay as a base. It is important that the inner surfaces of the form are smeared with grease or soap so that the concrete doesn’t stick to the surface.
All information without guarantee
An interesting post. There is something very satisfying in making your own substrate. I do look forward to seeing some images of your work so far.
Best wishes.
Luis
Dear Luis, yes it’s beautiful to have made everything on your own. At the moment we are still finishing our rovescio su carta bird htttp://www.bit.ly/183fWTJ but I will show you my work. Hopefully I will also find the time to work at home.
Cheers
Miriam
Thanks for this tutorial. The job looks very easy. I will try…!
Fine, let me know how it worked, Andrea!
Greetings, Miriam