Making a concrete bench

Discussion in 'Garden Projects and DIY' started by Jack Sparrow, Jan 11, 2021.

  1. Jack Sparrow

    Jack Sparrow Total Gardener

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    In the past I have looked into stone/concrete benches. In general they are more than I wish to pay for them and no doubt, too heavy for me to carry. The only one I found that I would have be prepared to buy turned out to be an obsolete design.

    elephant stone seat - Google Search

    I have also watched videos on YouTube about making benches and seats at home with moulds and reinforced concrete. Is this something that any members have ever done. Being a complete DIY duffer, the chances of me making it work would be very slim but I would be curious to see if would work.

    G.
     
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      Jack Sparrow, Jan 11, 2021
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    • pete

      pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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      Dont see why not.
      Not looked at any videos myself but if you follow how they do it I cant see why there should be a problem.
      Just make sure the reinforcing isn't too close to the final surfaces and get the concrete mix the right strength.
      Might need to think about frost at this time of the year.
       
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        pete, Jan 11, 2021
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      • HarryS

        HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

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        I think to make concrete look presentable for an item of furniture could be difficult. It would take some skill to make it look ok and not like a great lump of concrete. I have seen them in old gardens and they do look nice and weather well. But if you are not an adept DIYer may be a wooden bench would be the way to go.
         
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        • ARMANDII

          ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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          This is my reconstituted stone bench that I bought from Chelford Market, (now sadly gone) some years ago from a guy who only made garden ornaments, seats and bench's.
          The one he had on view was already sold but he had another one at Home where he made them. He drove home after the Market was finished, loaded up his Van with the Bench and did an 90 miles round trip to deliver and put it in place the same day.
          His one insistence, when making the Benches, was that the actual seat had to have two flat steel bars inside it running along the length of the seat to make it really strong, The seat then, cost me £29 and he delivered it for free.....that sort of service is long gone.

          upload_2021-1-11_19-32-35.png
           
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            ARMANDII, Jan 11, 2021
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          • shiney

            shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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              shiney, Jan 13, 2021
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            • Jack Sparrow

              Jack Sparrow Total Gardener

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              I have seen one I like in a reclamation centre in Telford. It would mean a 250mile round trip to collect it. I'm not sure whether I would be able to get away with that as essential travel.

              G.
               
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                Jack Sparrow, Jan 13, 2021
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              • pete

                pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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                Could you call them and ask if they would take a deposit on it and say you will pick it up when you get out of jail.:biggrin:
                 
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                  pete, Jan 13, 2021
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                • shiney

                  shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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                  If we knew a lot of members between you and the bench it could be dropped off in each front garden and moved on to the next one. I'm not volunteering to sort out the logistics of it. :nonofinger: :)
                   
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                  • luciusmaximus

                    luciusmaximus Total Gardener

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                    Have you looked on Preloved, Freecycle, Gumtree, etc @Jack Sparrow ? Or Ebay?
                     
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                      luciusmaximus, Jan 14, 2021
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