I want to learn how to make concrete benches. I envision making a mold
for the bench top and for the legs, and then reusing these molds to
make several benches. What kind of concrete/cement mixture should I
use, and do you have any tips on making the molds?

Thank you for your question! I believe I have found some information
to help you create your own concrete benches.

What mix ratio do I use for making concrete?

Mix ratios really depend on your area. We are in a colder climate (New
York) We use the following:
1 - 5 gallon pail portland 
2 - 5 gallon pails sand 
1 - 1/2 5 gallon pail small stone
3/4 - 5 gallon pail of water
(From The Ornamental Concrete Directory FAQa)
http://www.ornamentalconcrete.net/cgi-bin/smartfaq/smartfaq.cgi

At this website, you'll find a book on making concrete lawn ornaments,
and also a video on how to make your own molds for benches and tables.
http://www.concrete-success.com/

This is a supplier of molds in Australia. They are looking for
American representatives, if you are interested.
http://www.cementmoulds.com/Tables_n_Benchs.htm

Ornamental Concrete.net
http://www.ornamentalconcrete.net/
This site is a search engine where you can search for molds, mold
making materials, and ask questions about concrete and statuary. You
can subscribe to a newsletter, too.

Here is information on decorating your bench, once you have made it.
http://dsc.discovery.com/fansites/lynettejennings/data/9002.html

This is a supplier of garden concrete molds. They do not have benches,
but have other items you might be interested in.
http://www.allmolds.com/

Google search strings used:
"concrete benches"
"concrete bench" +mold

I hope this answers your question. If I can help with anything else,
please let me know!
nvwriter-ga

---

Request for Answer Clarification by dotwidget-ga on 05 Jun 2002 21:29 PDT

nvwriter -

The information about the mix ratio was very helpful -- thanks for
that. That's something I've not able to find after much searching.

However, I still need some basic information about making simple
molds. The links you posted are helpful if I want to spend $$$ on
books and videos, and if I want to make lawn ornaments of big frogs
and stuff like that. What I really need is just some basic pointers on
making a simple rectangular mold for a bench. For example, can I just
make a mold out of plywood, or do I need to line it with some special
plastic, rubber or other material?

---

Clarification of Answer by nvwriter-ga on 06 Jun 2002 09:09 PDT

Here is information on different types of materials for molds.
http://ag.arizona.edu/desert_roses/Lesson%20Plans/Concrete%20Construction/Concrete4.doc

More on leveling forms
http://ag.arizona.edu/desert_roses/Lesson%20Plans/Concrete%20Construction/Concrete5.doc

Mold Making Information
http://www.mouldmaking.freeserve.co.uk/basics.html
This is not wood, but shows you how to make your own flexible molds.

An Entire Site on Mold Making, with Numerous Links and Info
http://www.mouldmaking.freeserve.co.uk/indexlinks.html

Pictures of Students Building a Concrete Bench End
http://www.clarkson.edu/pie/try_it.html
They used thicknesses of styrofoam, and poured the concrete into the
middle of the hollowed out form.

From my research, it looks like you need to use some kind of release
chemical to get the concrete to release from the mold. It also looks
like most of these molds are made of some type of rubber or synthetic,
so the concrete cures more quickly, and releases easier. It also can
be used more than once. It looks like it is a fairly complex process,
and it might be worth the investment to buy the book, and find out all
the things you need to know about mixing and curing the concrete.

If you use plywood for forms, you can spray deisel fuel on the forms
to keep it from sticking so much.It isn't the most enviromentaly
friendly but it works.You will still have to scrape some off,but you
would with anything you use.