4 Tips For Concrete Casting Success

[@pir869]

I used to work as a brick layer/builder before i went to college to study electronics engineering,but even when i was labouring to a bricky(uk parlance) and laying the bricks myself i was told to use soapy liquid/dish soap as a plasticiser,it stops water from evaporating to quick causing cracks and stops water runs causing cement marks on fresh brickwork,so for a cheap plasticiser use dish soap

[@lynngossland4075]

Absolutely love your channel,, so much information, thankyou

[@ThePeej]

Last weekend I FINALLY attempted my first half dozen casts. And they all failed spectacularly!!! But I’m really happy to have learned so much. I built a DIY vibration table & it worked GREAT. But I used a sand-concrete mix left over from DIY install of a shower-base, and used far too much water. (The water pooled on top of the moulds after a few mins of vibration) The resulting casts were beautiful, and as brittle as half of all living beings after Thanos snapped his finger at the end of Infinity War. I’m pretty sure I heard one cast say “Mr Stark, I don’t feel good good” as it’s crumbled into dust between my fingers!! 😂🤣👍🏼 Going to give it another go this weekend!!

[@slypig24]

Great tips, thanks for another informative episode. Cheers from Australia 🇦🇺

[@creatingconcrete]

No problem - happy to help. Cheers!

[@annehart7667]

Thank you so much. I had the last Q: rolling around in my head unasked, about using a slurry on my mold rubber 1st. The casts are beautiful, finally. I'm getting the results I want, after months of trying. I mixed 2 pts. cement, w/ 1 part acrylic polymer & water (1 to 3 ratio). Towanda. Thank you so much

[@creatingconcrete]

I am happy this information was helpful for you.

[@InspiredEpics]

what is the best shore for silicone rubber mold for decorative stone and brick? thanks for answer

[@brandonmonroe7050]

Nice. If you were to fill a mold with dry concrete would that roughly be the amount of concrete you need for that mold? Trying not to waste concrete here.

[@billparsons7732]

Thank you Steve!

[@henryhull4456]

Thanks Steve!! I'm trying to make a mold of a pillow that I will eventually poor concrete into. My approach is a little DIY so bear with me, I'm thinking of using some plaster of paris and burlap as the mold but my worry is that the concrete wont release from the burlap/plaster. Would love your expertise on mold release for concrete and plaster combo!

[@creatingconcrete]

Any time you have a porous substance you have to seal it to cast it. I have found that a spray wax product is the best for this as it builds a physical layer between your concrete and the mold, without leaving brush marks like you would get with a regular bees wax application. I found this spray wax from mold making supply stores. Other than this you have to make sure there is no traps for the mortar that will break off when you demold.

[@Anick8]

Thnk you for your video Steve!! how long should i vibrate my mold if i have a vibrating table?

[@creatingconcrete]

depends entirely on the mix viscosity. A few minutes...but watch for how much water is rising to the surface. If too much, try a drier mix.

[@ruthdoyle9085]

Wood glue works as a water reducer or plasticizer...

[@sharonglazier2552]

Is a acrylic cement bond the same as super plasticizer, and if so what ratio to water should I use?

[@creatingconcrete]

These are totally different things. Acrylic cement is cement with acrylic latex added which slows down the speed of the initial set, makes the final mix stronger, and makes it less water permeable. Superplasticizer on the other hand is an admixture that replaces water in the mix. It gives you the same results as adding water - the lix gets wet / runny but it DOESNT compromise the strength like adding extra water would.

[@vipero00]

Since I have an air compressor I'm wondering if a palm nailer would be a good vibratory tool?

[@creatingconcrete]

I dont think it would be. A 1/4 sheet palm sander can be had for like $20 brand new (no name brand) or pick up a used one for less. That would get you far better results I think.

[@carmenmollica1454]

Good stuff... thank you

[@louiecanaria9960]

can you use resin as the mold instead of polyurethane or silicone rubber when casting concrete? i'm planning to make medium sized concrete pots.

[@creatingconcrete]

Usually you would use a latex skin mold backed with fiberglass or resin.

[@louiecanaria9960]

@@creatingconcrete you mean latex mold plus a mother mold? sorry, im new to this.

[@KimberlyMWylie]

Great tips! Thank you! But I have one question... Free poop?

[@creatingconcrete]

I was tired of cleaning up after my dogs, and I have leaned that people LOVE free stuff. So I just hang up this sign in my yard in hopes the problem solves itself!

[@Phi-integration]

Hi, this is useful tips. But want to ask OOT... I often do concrete cast and when release from the mold, it expose dust. Does they contain harmful silica dust?

[@creatingconcrete]

Yes, definitely. It's a reasonably small exposure but you should still protect yourself with a 3M half mask ventilator

[@Phi-integration]

@@creatingconcrete ok, thank you for the reply and confirmation

[@sidekick3rida]

Examples of each tip would've been helpful

[@Cookiejug1]

Thank you!

[@lynettamurdoch5443]

I have some super large plastic flower pots - about 2.5-3’ tall - that I’d like to coat with cement. I don’t want to remove the cement. I want it to stay on the pots and make them look like cement. Is this possible? If so, how? Should I use some chicken wire or such to make the cement stick?

[@creatingconcrete]

Yes chicken wire perhaps, but more likely a stucco lathe product would be better

[@reneemiller2206]

What causes molds to crack when drying

[@creatingconcrete]

Do you mean the mold cracks of the casting you are making cracks. If you mean the casting you are making is cracking as it dries / cures then the problem is very likely too much water in your mix. Reduce water content and pour the mix drier, or explore using super plasticizer / water reducer to get the placement viscosity you need without compromising strength and having shrinkage cracking.

[@ConcreteCauldron]

Thank you

[@creatingconcrete]

I am happy this video was helpful for you. :)

[@Pixeltrainer]

Would the use of high alumina cement reduce the chance of honeycombing?

[@agomodern]

Rubber Mold Man says he's been in the family business for decades and decades and says portland cement, peat gravel, sand and water all at a creamy consistency is the perfect recipe.

[@creatingconcrete]

Question - is that a typo with peat? DId you mean pea gravel or did you actually mean peat as in peat moss which would make this mix design a hypertuffa technically.

[@agomodern]

@@creatingconcrete I meant pea. I learned something new when going to buy a bag of it. lol

[@circlemoneyent.6212]

Could I hire u to create a mold for me

[@creatingconcrete]

I have often considered this as I see people are super interested in molds and it seems not all that many people make their own. I spent a LONG time molding and trying different processes and resins. I would guess 2002 or 2004 was the first urethane molds I started making. Honestly it is so time consuming to do I did not see it as a viable business, despite the obvious demand. I do intend to have videos and video series' involving mold making using silicone, urethane, latex etc.

[@umptenn]

I’m Neagan

[@siphiworatsibe5609]

SHOW DON'T TELL!

[@TChris-j3o]

Did my first tile job in my bathroom. Looks freekin awesome. Now i need to make a custom sink and counter because my vanity is a shallow design and all the slim options for a sink are like $500. What a joke. Regarding bubbles, how can i create vibration without spending alot? Money is no issue but i like to save money when possible. Also, what should i make as practice? A small table top? I only need one experience to know how to make it better.

[@paulsawczyc5019]

He said to use an electric palm sander that you use to sand wood - a vibrating sander.