Faux rock for your pond - part 1

[torpedoxke]

Mr. Perry, thank you for your prompt answer. A local business gave me 5 huge bags of the peanuts and a good amount of the Styrofoam blocking like you use in your video. I can't wait to get started making some boulders for my front yard.

Thanks again.

[torpedoxke]

I was wondering if I could use Styrofoam peanuts instead of the beads. for the cement mixture since I can't find the beads.

If I use the peanuts would I use the same 3 to I mixture?

Would appreciate your input. Fred

[dperry428]

@torpedoxke Sure. Go ahead and use them. Just cover the rocks you make with at least a 3/4 inch layer of sand/cement mix to give enough strength. I've used the peanuts in a mix for a step in my pond. Worked fine. I'd stick with the 3 to 1 mix.

[haicao12]

This is the best video I've seen but I have problem to gather all the material you use would you please send for me the list of material you used and where can I purchase them Thank you

[dperry428]

@haicao12 Send me a private message with an email address so I can attach documents that contain lists of suppliers.

[dperry428]

I just looked up K Mart micro beads and they are charging $21 for 1/2 a cubic foot. Supplier I use charges about a buck a cubit foot. You can use it, but WAY too expensive. You can make light weight rock without beads at all; just use the sand/cement mix and cover waste polystyrene from packaging. Send me a private message with an email address so I can attach the documents you want.

[cwasicka]

I got micro beads from kmart.com. are they OK to use? Can you please send me your sourse list, please?  I'm excited to make a rock.. When will you do a video for a large rock? thanks, Carol Wasicka

[gyroair]

gyroair2003@yahoo.com thanks again for the fast reply

[TauTaFari100]

What do i use to measure sand and liquids

[dperry428]

@TauTaFari100 3 parts sand to 1 part cement means by volume -- it doesn't matter what you use, as long as the measuring device for sand is the same as for cement. When I mix a batch to make rock, I use a Cool Whip container. Fill the container 3 times with sand, 1 time with cement. Do the same when mixing the liquid -- 3 parts water to 1 part acrylic.

[TauTaFari100]

what mix can I use for vertical concrete stamping...i live in hawaii...thanks for your videos

[dperry428]

@TauTaFari100 Using a 3 sand to 1 mortar cement mix will work well, as long as you use both fiber and acrylic polymer. I've found 1/2 inch fiber to work best. When you make your mix, be careful adding the liquid and keep your mix very dense.

[68vb]

Great videos, I can't find any styro foam beads. Will bean bag beads work?

[dperry428]

@68vb Bean bag beads will work fine, but they charge an arm and a leg for them. Send me a personal message and I'll email you a list of suppliers for all materials.

[gyroair]

@dperry428 will u please send me a list of suppliers cant fine the styro foam beads thanks again 

[dperry428]

@gyroair Use the personal messenger on YouTube. Include an email address so I can send you Word documents with instructions and source lists.

[gyroair]

@dperry428 

[rickjodflores]

I love your video but having problems finding the masonry cement. I have finally purchased Quikete Masonry Mix Type S and wondering if this is the correct product. I have looked at the major building materials store in the area and the masonry cement is not to be found (yet). If the Masonry mix is not correct could you recomment another product. Thanks for your help

[dperry428]

@rickjodflores Lowes carries masonry cement, which is essentially Portland cement with hydrated lime added in specific proportions. Masonry mix is masonry cement with sand already mixed in. You can use it as the second layer. You can use it for the first layer, but the sand will result in heavier faux rock. You can also use Portland cement, but it is much less sticky and workable for making faux rock.

[nunpeanut1968]

I really like your videos you make it look so easy . I still can't find the fiber you put in your mix. is there a way you could send me a link to it or something. I was wondering could I make a play cave for the grand kids with the mix you had on your video? I haven't even tryed to make a rock yet but you got me thinking about all the things I could make . I am so ready to try this out I really think this is something I could do and have fun with it. any help would be nice. Thanks , Lisa

[dperry428]

@nunpeanut1968

Send me a PM with your email and I'll send you some documents. I'm on a trip right now and it is difficult to send email. I'll respond Monday.

[Engineer245]

I made some light weight concrete practice bombs for the air force many years ago. I used what that called micro bubbles that helped reduce the weight and amount of concrete used. I also used some stuff called posalith (sp). The posalith (sp) added a water proofing the the concrete. Have you ever tried these things? Just asking! Great videos!

[dperry428]

@Engineer245 Microbubbles in concrete is referred to as foamed concrete and requires specialized (and expensive) equipment that can't be justified for a hobby. I've read a lot about it, but never used it. Posalith(?) is probably a crystalline waterproofer similar to Xypex or Penetron. It would have use in pond construction, but is expensive and at the time of my construction, I was unaware of it. If I were to do another pond, I would seriously consider using it, BTW, I was in the air force.

[FIFTEENTWO]

hi dperry i found all of the materials except the styro beads nobody around my place carries them what diameter are they ? i can by them on ebay but i don't want to by the wrong size thanks for any help .

[dperry428]

@FIFTEENTWO Send me a private message and I'll email a list of sources.

[camsnowbabies]

GREAT videos! Thank you! How much sand do you use, what's the ratio? Thanks, Chris

[dperry428]

@camsnowbabies Sand is not used in the styrofoam mix; only in the finish mortar mix. The ratio for that mix is 3 parts sand to one part masonry cement. Make sure you are using masonry cement and not masonry mix, which already contains sand.

[FrontierDC3]

Mr. Perry, thanks for your videos on making faux rocks. I have been looking for videos such as yours for quite some time. I have just one question: How long do you allow the rock in Part 1 to dry before adding the mortar cover in Part 2?

[dperry428]

@FrontierDC3 As soon as the first layer sets up, which can be the same day. Do the first layer in the morning and by afternoon the second layer can be added. I generally let it sit overnight, but have done both on the same day.

[countryatheart2010]

Mr. Perry

I really like your video's, they are very informative. I'm about your age and am looking forward someday to be able to do something like what you've done. I belong to a Yahoo group called Papercreters info exchange. If you have time take a look at that site and judge if Papercrete could be used, using your Acryl to water mixture and paper pulp instead of fiber. Thank you Bob The Builder

[dperry428]

I don't know why you couldn't try using papercrete as the base for artificial rock and then put a sand/cement layer over it for finishing. I don't know what the characteristics would be and how it would stand up to freeze/thaw cycles. Why not just experiment? Small quantities of acrylic are available at Lowe's, Menard's or Home Depot. Use an old blender to mix small quantities of papercrete to try various recipes. Who knows, maybe you'll come up with the ultimate in lightweight concrete.

[apauln]

you edited out how much cement to put in the mix...

is it really hard to find the fiber? my job has pallets of them... i guess if you go to a redi-mix concrete plant (which are everywhere) they probibly wouldn't have a problem just selling bags to you. they charge customers $6 per bag to 1yd of concrete...

[dperry428]

No, it wasn't edited out. I say that the mix is 3 parts styrofoam to 1 part mortar cement. It doesn't matter what you use to measure; just so there are three "scoops" of styrofoam to one "scoop" of cement. Fiber can be purchased online -- that's where I originally got mine. Now I get it from Gerdau Ameristeel, which has a plant 10 miles from me. I've not found redi-mix plants very cooperative; perhaps you'll have better luck. Also, look for companies that make concrete countertops.

[apauln]

@dperry428 you're right, i thought you said masonry sand, plus it looks like sand...

i can get all the fibers i want... i drive a concrete truck.

i wish i'd known your method a year ago, i've could of made lots of boulders around my pond. unfortunatly i don't work for the same company that delivers in my area... always had leftovers...

[dperry428]

Good luck with your rock-making. Let me know how it goes.

[manuelrisista]

hi dperry the product j-40 is a ceiling sealant? so that he is j-40 to seal? Dayton superior but interesed to know the specifications to me that the product does? I English use a language translator when I listen to the video am not understood chooses to read comment and to use a translator I am interests in making stones but in Puerto Rico the fiber sells in home depot? in home depot is a cement with fiber I can buy that? or not .reply its answer thanks

[ginrock1]

Mr. Perry I do not know the % solids. I did go to a rock/concrete place and the guy got me all confused. I asked him what mixture did they put in their concrete. He went way over my head with every PSI strength and telling me the stuff they use there is only few minutes of work time. I did questioned him saying he lays driveways and only have few minutes? I just said thank you and walked out. I searched on internet for Thoro/and Dayton distributors, no luck, any other suggestions? Thanks

[ginrock1]

Is the J-40 a bonding agent? I am having a hard time finding that product. I did buy a acrylic fortifier but I don't think this is correct product. Could you help me out here. Your videos are great. Thank you

[dperry428]

Yes, it is a bonding agent as well as an admix. There are numerous products similar to J-40. Acryl 60 by Thoro Products is just one. There are differences, however, in the percent solids content. The higher the solids, the better. I like the J-40 from Dayton-Superior because it is over 50% solids for the same price as Acryl 60, which is about 45% solids if I remember correctly. Acryl 60 can be purchase from Ace Hardware, but only in 1 gallon containers for about $25. Do you know the % solids?

[Z389X]

Good video. Thanks. What name brand of liquid latex are you using? Where do you buy it and what's the price per gallon?

[dperry428]

Dayton-Superior J-40. Purchased at Gerdau Ameristeel in Belvidere, Illinois in 5 gallon bucket, approximately $72. One gallon is about $25. Check for distributors in your area.

[kuroshjapan]

I watched all 6 parts, and I learn lots, thank you very much

[keenefx]

Are these rocks strong enough to stand on?

[dperry428]

Absolutely! The fiber makes it as strong as using wire mesh reinforcement. For very large rocks and in the pond walls, I used expanded metal lath as well.

[hpjacobs]

Perry, Thanks for your videos on making fake rock. Very educational, instructional, and very much appreciated. Regards, Peter

[sandman1155]

Awesome video

[dperry428]

Don't forget to watch parts 2 through 6