I want to make some more – still a bit confused after reading all these posts. They have now lost some of their nice detailed texture but they are probably over 10 years old. Since the jar will not shrink that is why it’s happening. I am usually making small things that were going to be cast in molds or hand shaped for decorative home use. I get my mixes at the local Home Depot or other home improvement store. Maybe have a talk with the rep there. I learn by testing and it has worked well for many of my projects. There is an available retardent and I have read that a citric acid solution will slow it down. If you are planning a longer project it can set crazy fast especially when in a warm setting so that may require a retarding medium. You can add the fibreglass fibres as a reinforcement. Thanks for all of the information and anecdotal comments. I’m grateful and thankful for any advice you can provide. It’s also more expensive. Cement All is a high-performance, fast-setting concrete repair material that is durable in wet environments. I’m in the US. I would think the portland cement and sand would make a good mix. I know the rapidset is super quick but maybe working small sections could work. Will I be able to mix this thin enough to pour, and get it into the mold fast enough? QUIKRETE® Concrete Mix (No. The ‘cream’ will eventually wear off and will show more of the sand or aggregate. I am stubborn in making things work, and there may well be a way… Good luck! You will also need an appropriate sealer since it will get much use. Thank you ! I’m afraid water may get between the tiles and concrete and then freeze/lift. If you are doing the standard easy rhubarb leaf stepping stones then the Quikrete Sand topping mix is great. I have had this idea for a long time now and have been searching for information and the what and how’s for a long time now. I tend to keep things simple for myself and use pre-made mixes. I have a large garden angel that is ugly resin. After opening the bag I found it to be kinda chunky too. I know there are some special counter-top mixes that have not tried. I have really enjoyed reading through some of your articles. Mortar, on the other hand, is a mixture of cement, lime, and sand. Well I guess I’m dumb.dosent the mixes have everything in it including sand. SETS IN 15 MINUTES & IS READY FOR TRAFFIC IN 1-HOUR. Best is to try a small test mix. Funny, my bag has a few drawings of different ways to use. Concrete mix’s versatility makes it a popular building material that’s not going anywhere. If you see any silicone or flexible plastic forms they work well. Thank you so much! Price also can suggest it isn’t just basic concrete with aggregate in it. I’m curious about the winter here in Canada. It will depend on how/if you need to maneuver the sculpture as you work on it. They have held up as well as any sidewalks. It’s a trial and error. FREE Shipping on orders over $25 shipped by Amazon. If you are subscribed you can reply to an email post. Generally ask for hydraulic concrete, but be aware that it sets super fast so mixing small quantities is best. Although I do not know English very clearly, you are so glad you learned so much, Hi, Barb! I find when using the concrete draping the sand does not absorb and just stays in the bucket. I want to age it by covering it with concrete and moss. That’s the best advice I can give considering I’ve not done it. I have seen a bit of that the odd time. Haha, I have tried the rubber-gloves-concrete-hands. My wife is wanting to get into to this and I have found you site very informative. Quikrete QUIKRETE® Fast-Setting Concrete is the ideal concrete mix for this job. Any donations will be used directly to bring you new and useful content! In this article, we have covered about difference between Quikrete and portland cemet. Required fields are marked *. QUIKRETE® 5000 Concrete Mix, which achieves 5000 PSI after 28 day, is a commercial grade blend of stone or gravel, sand and cement specially designed for any concrete use requiring high early strength … So much fun! Do you have any other sand suggestions? When you say ‘builders concrete’ is it a mix? There are special additives in the concrete mix resulting in a dense less porous finish. Amazingly only 1/4″ thick. I have a statue that is now 21 years old, no sealing but pretty thick/solid. Is that the case for rapidset ? QUIKRETE® Concrete … That makes it work well for leaf casting such as the Lacy Circle the Smiling Stones. Thanks for your help. So much great info here. Enjoy. Think of it this way — when you create insulating concrete, vermiculite replaces the sand and gravel as the aggregate that you mix with Portland cement. Good luck! I was not sure if it will work out but it did. box or a 55 lb. Crafting with concrete is like making a cake mix that does not need baking… And you can keep it forever! Cement is the binding element in both concrete and mortar.”, Yes, you are right. Bottles of the bonding agent are pretty cheap so I’d suggest considering the amount of work you’d be doing. This is another of the bonding mixes with great strength and it performs very much like the Quikrete Vinyl Patch. It will be even be shiny when the mold is also shiny material. much love. Your email address will not be published. I want to make a few as i want to set them up in my garden in a specific corner. The shinier the mold – the Rapidset cementall will even be shiny. That is a different type of use so check out this post You would want just a portland cement, possibly some sand added but I don’t like adding it. It will be a somewhat sandy texture when done, tamp well so no bubbles… Good luck. I’ve been testing different materials for 1 month and I really needed this information. My mixture is very grainy and my crafts never hold together. Thank you! I just love your artwork. See mine here, Good luck, any concrete project is good… if in doubt try a small test first. It seems that Home Depot is the only distributor but it is never in stock (in multiple stores). Sometimes people refer to Portland Cement as concrete. I find that the Rapidset Cementall is practically white, I often think it’s too white for looking like concrete. I’ve tried using an all purpose sand, but it was too rough and gritty. Can I use play sand? Now you know the difference between cement vs. concrete … It does also depend what you are making…. The post states the mixes that I use. Home Depot guy urged me to use Maximizer because it requires less bags and is supposedly stronger PSI. I’m interested in making jewelry (pendants, bracelets, rings, etc.) Thanks so much! 1101) is the original 4000 psi average compressive strength blend of portland cement, sand, and gravel or stone. Required fields are marked *. See this chair and also this bird. I can’t guarantee it. What product will you recommend that will work best? I was wondering if you have anywhere that helps walk people through making stepping stones for the first time. This mix is super fine, will pick up all the details and provide a super smooth white finish. I wonder if the ready to use has aggregate in it, you could strain them out. I have not seen it here. Apply Cement All from featheredge to 4” thick. Do you have any advice on what type or where to purchase molds that would be good for using with cement? I’m just using the CementAll mix with water and pouring it into my molds…. The concern is that the occurrence of aggregate in the mix (supposing that it is a dry concrete mix rather than just a fast setting cement) will significantly decrease the insulating properties of the layer. It does seem like it comes under a few different names; Dual Purpose Grout & Structural Repair, Fastset Repair Mortar and Quikrete Fastset All … If you are using some plastic containers as molds and keep the walls thick enough then you can use a cheaper ‘Sand-topping mix’. Yes, it’s a flexible mold. Having read some of your other comments, I’m worried it might set before I can pour it in. I’d almost be inclined to see how it would last just as is without any coating. Hi! Slight more cement will make it stronger as will some acrylic additive. thanks!! Different brands offer similar products. Keep warm in a pretty unique way with wonderful wool Eco…, It's no wonder Bernie loves his mittens! I do wonder how you get the lead out though? I know in soap, even donuts they use a powder called Titanium Dioxide to make it white. The more you tap to rid bubbles the smoother it will be. So far the hardest mix I use is the Rapidset Cementall and it is really dense too. ‘Outside the box’ or concrete bag in this case. As you said Rapid Set is carried by Home Depot and I’m in the US and have gotten a bag. They are quite cheap and can work for large pours in large molds or sidewalks. I don’t know how to thank you for this post. It has aged nicely. It would help me if I knew what ratio your used. You could maybe use some draping of fabric with portland cement but features like face would probably be lost. It’s really strong and fine. Plastic releases quite easily depending on shape. I have not been disappointed with the RapidSet Cementall as it is super strong (sets crazy fast). Glad you are going to have some concrete fun! Just be aware concrete does seem to get ‘old’ especially if not stored properly… The general understanding is that aggregate/sand etc in addition to the portland cement makes it stronger, but you have many options. The mixes are already formulated, and it is a very unique mix. Which project are you wanting to make? Great! It also depends on the mold, as the smoother/shiny it is the more shiny the concrete finish is. Maybe a pool paint would be best since it does hold water and should be human safe. They discontinued shapecrete where i live. If you use a sandtopping mix you don not need to add sand. It is a fussy mix that will not really ‘like’ the addition of colours as easily as the regular one. You could try the tied bag if the walls are thick enough. Learn the difference between concrete and cement before starting your next project. Quikrete is the name of the brand and it arises in different mixes. And I wonder if holds well when casted. Hi I am in the process of making a mold for melting lead into for fishing weights I have used the fire cement they use in setting fireplaces it works but not the best as it breaks up after a couple of uses. You also stated that you go by how much flow/slump you want. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. It does not however become like a clay. Well, the sand topping mix is much like regular concrete but does not have the large aggregate in it. I’m a bit confused at some of what you said especially the bubbles. Thank you for being so thoughtful and sharing. I have not tried the Shapecrete product but claims to be like clay. However, I noticed that there were little scraps left behind that were possibly scraped off the rest of the area that was being repaired. I don’t use measurements when mixing, I go by how much flow/slump I want. You could contact them, but I have had very good results with the Rapidset Cementall. They are suitable for pouring curbs, steps, footings, ramps, and even sidewalks. I’m wanting to do Stepping Stones as part of a mentoring group for teenagers.