Johnny Angell

Walk Way Concrete Molds - Used One?

You can see one here: Walkmaker™ Stone Mold

We've got a bird feeder on pole stuck in the ground and my wife is thinking this would be handy create a stone border for it to cut down on the seeds germinating there.

Anyone used these things? Do you like them? I supposed the resultant bricks should be placed on a bed of sand? This particular mold doesn't look like it would be handy creating a circular pattern.

I notice that Lowes has crack-resistance concrete mix. It has "special fibers" to reduce drying and cracking. It costs a couple bucks more a bag than the regular.

Johnny
www.teamfurr.org

Johnny Angell

Re: Walk Way Concrete Molds - Used One?

I found this idea for curves at Concrete Paths, Walk-Maker, Walkmaker, Building Paths, Concrete Walkways, Quikrete Walkmaker, Path Forms, Using Quikrete, Concrete Stones
I like the first method better.

edit: link fixed

Johnny
www.teamfurr.org

Edwin-S

Re: Walk Way Concrete Molds - Used One?

Your link doesn't work properly because of the colon at the end of html.
The first method sounds like it would be easier: less hassle making everything match up properly.

When you have to shoot...shoot. Don't talk!

BrianW

Re: Walk Way Concrete Molds - Used One?

I've used it and can heartily recommend it. Don't bother with making a bed of sand. It doesn't make "bricks" that you place anywhere. It just lets you pour in place. Just dig out the sod and compact the soil, and you're ready to go.

You can form circular or curved pathways using the methods Johnny quoted above. I prefer the first method, too. Just use Willian Alexander's "Wet on Wet" technique (), and you'll be making curved pathways in no time.

This thing is handy, but don't kid yourself. Mixing and forming concrete one bag at a time is hard work.

For an extra bit of finish, you can get powdered concrete stain and sprinkle and float (using a floating tool) it on top of the concrete before it sets. It makes it look more stone-like and comes in different colors.

-Brian
Come, Rubidia. Let's blow this epoch.

Johnny Angell

Re: Walk Way Concrete Molds - Used One?

Yeah, I kinda figured it would be hard work. Maybe I'm better off just buying pavers or something like that.

Would you recommend the readycrete cement or can I just use any brand?

Johnny
www.teamfurr.org

BrianW

Re: Walk Way Concrete Molds - Used One?

Pavers are no picnic, either. They require a level, compacted bed of sand, more digging to accommodate the sand, and a lot more precision work. And pavers are a lot more expensive. The only advantage to pavers that I can see (from a level-of-effort standpoint only) is that you don't have to lug 40-50 pounds of them at a time like you have to do with bags of concrete.you can use any brand at all, but I would stay away from the quick-setting kind used to set posts. I wouldn't mess with the fiber reinforced stuff, either. That stuff is great if you're pouring a slab for a barn, but it's overkill just for foot traffic.

-Brian
Come, Rubidia. Let's blow this epoch.

Johnny Angell

Re: Walk Way Concrete Molds - Used One?

I would have thought these smaller cast stones would be more susceptible to cracking from foot traffic.

Johnny
www.teamfurr.org