best place to get a slate monolith with hole

We just dodnt get around to it last year but have put it on the very long list for this year! I would like to have one of those bubbling water feature stone monolith type things in part of my garden. I was watching a programme how to go about it and that bit I am ok with but its sourcing one of these at a reasonable price. The programme I was watching was maybe a couple of years old and said you could get one ready drilled for about �£35 . (a slate one maybe 2 foot high or so) But last year looking arounf notcutts and other garden centres they were much much mire than this. Iare there other cheaper places to get them - maybe stone merchants? I dont really know. And if anyone knows anywhere in the midlands that do then even better!

 

I haven't found a cheap one yet - this is the best I could do

http://www.gardening-supply.co.uk/gardening_supplies/rocks_stone/index.html

There were MUCH more expensive ones out there, too!

I think these are ready to set up, with everything included, rather than just the pre-drilled monoliths, though, which might make them more credible. Don't suppose you fancy trying to get a bit of slate, and letting other half drill it???? :rolleyes:

 

my 2p worth.

be very careful what you see as "prices" mentioned on tv, often they are out of date / old re runs, but if you do go to a place that sells pre drilled stones, do pay attention to any signs / notices. I went to one, I was going to buy a pre drilled rock (forgoten how tall, lets say it was 50cm and cost �£50) you had to pay EXTRA for the hole, the man said, �£50 for the rock, hole is 50cm deep (checked with tape measure) thats 50p / centimetre, that will be �£75 please.

They still have the rock, I never brought it.

[ 14. January 2007, 11:47 PM: Message edited by: watergarden ]

 

Thanks both! other half could 'try' to drill one but if it breaks then were done for!! Will continue to have a look about on my travels I think as we dont need it yet and can live wothout for a while!

 

this is on ebay if you fancy a drive to Guildford!(there are 'man with van' ads on ebay too if thats any help.)

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/DRILLED-SLATE-WATER-FEATURE-GORGEOUS-REAL-SLATE_W0QQitemZ330073370238QQihZ014QQcategoryZ109070QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

otherwise, possibly cheaper option is to do something like joe swift did in courtyard garden on Gardeners world. I think he used slate tiles, individually drilled and piled on top of each other with pump hose up the middle.if you didin't want such a formal look, you could use individual pieces of unfinished slate?

 

I used a hammer drill and drilled through a lump of rock, 22mm is a nice neat fit for standard garden hose. :D