Just starting out....

[Training]

Good afternoon everyone. I guess I need to start from the beginning. My wife and I started planning a kitchen remodel and discovered the wonderful world of concrete. Being a little artistically inclined, the decision was made for me to "look into" concrete countertops. That is where the artist in me took over. I'm going in a couple of weeks to the Buddy Rhodes basic DIY class. There is so much I have found and researched, I'm not sure where to begin. I guess the first place would be with my budget, but if anyone out there would be willing to share some info on equipment that I may need to get started, I would appreciate it. Thanks for all the insight on the forums.

[Dave McVey]

Going to training is great. They will show you what you need.

[Robert B]

go buy granite its $29 sq.ft at home depression and go back to school get you masters, doctorate, whatever the next step is! Last thing i need is one more person trying to copy one of my designs.

[Omar Perez]

I've made countertops with a circular saw and a drill, however, I don't recommend it. You have to know how you're gonna go about it. Cast in form, or pour in place. The latter would take more immediate skill, and I would not recommend to a greenie w/ concrete. Basic tools, like Remik said, would be fine. You can get by with a palm sander and some 3m auto sandpaper if it's a 1 time thing. Get some buckets, a float, a trowel, and some rags. You're gonna need a mixer, (rentable) and a vibrator, ( also rentable). If you're casting keep in mind that you have to have some carpentry skills coming in. Training is great, but it aint gonna build your form for you. So some sense with a saw and a straight -square line wont hurt. Good Luck!  

[Concreator]

How do the mixes go in the yogurt maker....

Digerati said:

Hey Chris, welcome to the forum and soon to be an addiction to concrete.

First things first remember to have fun with it!

The class will soon take will get you up to speed really quick.

I myself never took a class as they were all too far away. I read some books by Buddy and watched his DVD's.

After that I made several coffee table test pieces and ultimately my kitchen, as that was my primary goal. Now I am working on other projects. Its fun.

Making test pieces is where you will really learn a lot. Hands on really counts here.

Remik nailed it on tools and needs.

There is a site where you can get some tools that are not very expensive that will work.

http://www.toolocity.com/ comes to mind. Remember these tools are good, but not great.

I got a wet polisher here and its still going strong. Pads too.

Read around on the forum about mix designs and such. You can probably start out with a bagged mix like quickrete 5000 but I suggest you put together your own based on what you can research here.

OR even better... I dont know if you can get your hands on Buddys bagged mix but that would be great too.

I cant get any of it without having it shipped and it would just be too costly for me. That is why I make my own.

Hope this helps.

[Robert B]

no worries,  was just joking with you.

Chris Hardy said:

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the humor and such. As a career, anything is possible, BUT be assured, I am not out to copy anyone's work. If I had wanted Granite, I would not be asking for insight...... I am starting with pre-cast forms, keeping it pretty basic, and I would eventually like to  learn GFRC. As for the money, we all have to start someplace and work toward the final goal. Thanks again.

[collette dotson]

im a newbie too :)  i started with molds doing my guest bath using buddy rhodes and did undermount sinks... all i used was melamine, some screws, some aluminum to shape out my holes, some ladder wire, screws, a sander and some buddy rhodes sealer!  then i did my kitchen and did pour in place!!!  no seams, under mount sink, drop in stove... the wrks... i used a diamond blade wet sander... because they r poured in place i was able to make them appear to b 3.5 inches thick!  i get soooo many compliments, enough that i recently had someone beg me to remod their fireplace :)  i would love to help u in anyway i can as i am a DIY er too :)  

[collette dotson]

to those of u that r sh**ting on people for trying to learn and create something ...I really don't think anyone is trying to take away from ur art, those of us who like to do and learn and try, its as simple as that... i hope to have a shop one day with all of the fun toys so i can experiment and create some truly beautiful pieces that r not just for function... there is no reason to s*** on other people who have found a small piece of the concrete world for themselves... there is no way ur flying ur lil shop all over there friggin world to build countertops for everyone... CHILL OUT!

[Concreator]

Humour or humor (see spelling differences) is the tendency of particular cognitive experiences to provoke laughter and provide amusement. The term derives from the humoral medicine of the ancient Greeks, which taught that the balance of fluids in the human body, known as humors (Latin: humor, "body fluid"), control human health and emotion.

People of all ages and cultures respond to humour. The majority of people are able to experience humour, i.e., to be amused, to laugh or smile at something funny, and thus they are considered to have a sense of humour. The hypothetical person lacking a sense of humour would likely find the behaviour induced by humour to be inexplicable, strange, or even irrational. Though ultimately decided by personal taste, the extent to which a person will find something humorous depends upon a host of variables, including geographical location, culture, maturity, level of education, intelligence and context.



Digerati said:

concreator, why would you want to come in on this thread and not contribute and just s*** all over it? You trollin? Acting 12?

[Dave McVey]

Well said Collette.   Some of the people in this business feel threatened by the DIY'r and it's nothing more than insecurity and fear.   Negativity, criticism of others, are all fear based responses that people use to separate themselves from others, To say they are better, pay attention to me.  It's a waste of time and energy.  If they could learn that these fears are not real, they are simply thoughts that only exisit within themselves, their creativity, success and focus would increase exponentially.   These little trivial arguments are not neccessary and they are detrimental to all of us.   People start to think that there are only a few people here on CCF, since they only see a few people posting.  The web stats show that there are thousands visiting everyday to CCF.   And, many times they see some very unprofessional remarks. 

 

Some seek the protection of a private forum saying they want to keep their hard earned knowledge secret.  More likely they don't want others too see what they really are.

[collette dotson]

i, in no way think this is easy!!!!  again, someone trying to make something for themselves and seek tips is not someone trying to jump into the biz and destroy the new world of concrete!  if u don't want people like me, who r just interested in learning more, then make a private forum and u can all have ur lil private world without the bother of us dabblers 

[collette dotson]

Man oh man what did i get myself into with this forum LOL

[collette dotson]

bahahaha he haa! ahhhhh

f.it.my.name.is.remik said:

I hear people start to pray in the direction of CCF 3 times a day and wash their hands before they post.

Dave McVey said:

Well said Collette.   Some of the people in this business feel threatened by the DIY'r and it's nothing more than insecurity and fear.   Negativity, criticism of others, are all fear based responses that people use to separate themselves from others, To say they are better, pay attention to me.  It's a waste of time and energy.  If they could learn that these fears are not real, they are simply thoughts that only exisit within themselves, their creativity, success and focus would increase exponentially.   These little trivial arguments are not neccessary and they are detrimental to all of us.   People start to think that there are only a few people here on CCF, since they only see a few people posting.  The web stats show that there are thousands visiting everyday to CCF.   And, many times they see some very unprofessional remarks.