Cement mixture 1

[AlexDring]

I dont know if this is the proper location for this question but oh well. I am looking to make my own molds for making bricks to make a fence. Me and my wife have our own idea on blocks and are thinking about making the mold, getting cement and adding whatever mixtures we need.

My question is does anyone know what approx proportions get mixed in to get a texture such as a cinderblock? Or a texture as a split face. I am assuming sand and fine gravel, but I dont know at what proportions or precentages to mix in at. Since they are non bearing, and no loads will ever be applied I am not really worried about strength, only enough to hold the wall up. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[swBausch]

Are you sure you can't find a commercial product that satisfies your needs?

Cinder blocks are made of an extremely dry mixture that is vibrated and compressed into the molds. Extremely noisy, due to the vibrators being used. I don't think the cost-saving would be worth the effort of packing the molds, mixing the material, clean-up, etc.

 

[AlexDring]

Not really, most of the blocks are too small or not wide enough. We figured if we made a mold we can start working on getting the supply built up now and it would allow me to do some other options with my fence that I wouldnt be able to do with the solid bricks.

I didnt plan on using cinder blocks for the fence due to the nasty look, but wanted a block about that size and for relatively cheap. Of course every eight feet there would be a column (post) with wiring running to the top for lighting and security sensors. So I found it best to just design my own mold that would allow me to include such options.

I was just wondering if anyone had experience doing there own blocks, and what mixtures they used. I think if I put sand at the exposed face of the mold I would get a nice texture, by brushing the excess sand off with I take the mold off.

 

[cvg]

start with the Portland Cement Association website

http://www.cement.org/

good luck - this sounds like quite a challenge!

 

[Focht3]

Hmmm,

A few thoughts. I have assumed that the wall will be about 200 feet long.

You would probably be better off with a Keystone[®] block system - or something similar. Or there's a system called Fencecrete[®] that is pretty versatile as well. Yes, the blocks and concrete walls aren't cheap, but let's consider the costs. You will need a [¼] cubic yard mixer, a supply of sand, Portland cement and molds. The mixer will set you back $500 to $1,000 - maybe more. And the work area's grass will be ruined by the spilled mix, foot traffic, etc. Weather will ruin the cement if not used promptly. Not to mention the slow pace of the work. It will take years to produce a sizable quantity of blocks by casting them on weekends.

And we haven't even talked about quality control and block strength. These are key issues for any wall that's more than a few feet tall. A six foot tall fence can topple and kill someone - so strength is a concern.

A better approach would be to either save for the wall, or take a much less ambitious route with slightly more expensive blocks. Let the pros do it - unless you know an awful lot about concrete/grout, blocks, and fence building.

Let me put this another way: I wouldn't attempt to do what you are proposing. It's much harder to successfully accomplish than you think -



Please see FAQ731-376 for great suggestions on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora. See faq158-922 for recommendations regarding the question, "How Do You Evaluate Fill Settlement Beneath Structures?"