My 2 concrete tables, tell me what you think

[Bartman]

I just got done putting the finishing touches on my latest concrete table(the blue one) Tell me what you guys think.

tables

There both solid concrete, I used paint pigment to color the one blue and urethane to seal it, the gray one is not sealed.

I made the molds with plexiglass and viberated the concrete with a sander placed on its side to remove air bubles. It gives it a smooth marble look.

There's 80lbs of concrete in the large table alone, not to mention the 1.5" pipe for the legs.

Tell me what you think.

Bart

 

[Tripleshot]

Nice work!

 

[Locutus of Board]

Those are some nice wood floors!

What did you want us to do again?

 

[Yo Ma Ma]

Very nice! Did you create that technique yourself?

 

[IBhacknU]

so.... when I build my house next year, what would it take to build an island in the kitchen using concrete. That seems to be a nice upgrade for some homes (or maybe they use granite?)

 

[Bartman]

Thanks, EVERY floor in this house is wood. There really nice.

Any way, tell me what you think of them. The small is our(me and room mate) first attempt at a concrete table and the blue one is the first large and colored ever so take it easy on us

These are sort of experements. Do you think people would be intrested in buying stuff like this and what they might go for. It's really expensive to buy the plexigalss and iron pipe, and it takes some time to put it all together.

I guess we "invented" the process. We diden't read about it or anything we just made it up. The blue one diden't trun out exactly as I planed, there was a small problem with the mold and some small problems with the coloring but again it's our first attempt at coloring and makeing one of that size. I can't wait to use what we learned from this one on our next table.

I have plans to make a huge dining room table that would be suspended from it's frame about 4" by steel cable, it should look REALLY cool. We just need go get a welder.

Makeing a island couter top would be really easy to make, it could be as thick as you wanted and just about any shape you wanted. The stuff looks like marble, you'd never guess it's concrete.

Thanks,
Bart

 

[SexEPid]

Can you life those over your head?
Then maybe I would be impressed

Pid

 

[SuperGroove]

Bitchin!


I'd hate to be working for the moving company if ever you decide to move:disgust::frown::frown:

 

[Mday]

w00t.

one complaint, that edge looks horrible.

did you do any wet sanding?

 

[IBhacknU]

I'm doing me one for the island of my new kitchen. It will be BAD(ASS)

 

[Bartman]

nope, no sanding. I know the one edge is messed up. That's what I was talking about when I said we had a minor prob with the molding, but it's going to be an easy fix for the next table.

Do you guys think people woule be intrested in buying stuff like this?

Bart

 

[MISTER 2 U]

nice work
why plexie glass for a mold ??
did you use a fiber type of concrete?????
what did you use to prevent cracking????
I think there would be an intrest to a limited amount.

If you are thinking about doing counter tops check out "fine home builder magazine "
and I think "this old house" had stories about concrete conter tops.

 

[Adul]

Brtman, people will buy anything. Wouldn't hurt to try to sell it. Just have to find the right buyers.

 

[Optimus]

Thats some nice work there!

 

[yakko]

Nice work. Have you thought about reattaching that window crank?

 

[Bartman]

Window crank is off for plastic window coveing.

Why plexiglass.. why not, it's almost perfict. you can bend it to mold, the concrete dosne't stick to it, it makes the concrete glass smooth, it's easy as heck to make and cheep enough to throw away.

There's nothing special about the concrete, I've talked to people who have been in the concrete busieness for over 20 years and they've all said there should be no problems with cracking or breaking, but just incase I reinforced the concrete with chicken wire.

Bart

 

[PUX]

Concrete is actually becoming a very popular option AS an upgrade in new custom homes and remodels. Great thing is an exquisite, unique appearance at an affordable cost. The biggest downside is weight and staining issues (Use a sealer - but it'll take away from the appearance)

Go to www.jlconline.com and order the Dec 2000 backissue of the Journal of Light Construction. There's a fairly in-depth article on casting and finishing the countertops. (I couldn't find a link for the article online.)

Biggest suggestion would be to use sanded plywood to substantially cut your costs. You could keep the plywood as your base and use 1-by material as your forms.

(Actually, email me and I can either scan the article or run a copy off and mail it to you - and whoever else).

Another GREAT material for counters is Fireslate. It's half the price of corian and not much more than formica. www.fireslate.com It's an engineered material that is stain resistant and can tolerate heat up to 1500 deg f. When finished and installed properly, it gives an incredible look.

 

[Mday]

i was told by my architecture teacher in HS that concrete is the most flexible material there is with respect to use. and by concrete, i also include the metal rebar and the metal grid inside (tension). concrete is nothing special, it won't save your life (effectively) but it's useful sh!t.

you can mold concrete very easily for shape. =) =)
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bartman

there is a market for such tables. people will buy almost anything. but you'd need to advertise to the right people. and do something better with the legs ;-) you're using pipes ;-) so if you have different bottoms, you can attract more customers.

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people do use concrete (sealed since concrete is quite porous) for kitchen counters, but SOLID surface does not mean concrete. i've seen soap stone, marble and granite counter tops. there are others too...