wip bench warning lots of pics

16 years ago

OK... started putting the thing together. Went to a scrapyard yesterday to get the rebar and found more plates so I've been breaking plates for a few days now. Still got my fingers crossed that the tiles from my friend will still happen. So then I'll have a pique assette (or whatever that word is) broken plates/bowls/cups/whatever bench and one done with tiles.

WARNING to all those working with styrofoam - it is messy as all heck!! I'm cutting the pieces in my carport and it's a wind tunnel I tell you!! Little bubbles of styrofoam (polystyrene?? What is this stuff called??) ALL OVER THE PLACE!! In my hair, stuck on my clothes, stuck on ME!!

Dry run of the all the pieces:

I have a mix of rebar and these steel rods that I'm using to attch the arms and back. Trusty drill with super long drillbit helps with the holes.

Back piece going on.

Back piece not fitting!!

OK, had to pull it apart. The first rod on the left too long so have to pull it out and hacksaw it down a bit. Good thing you can't hear me cussin'!

Ahhhhhhh... FIXED!!

I'm using regular mesh used for avaiaries or whatever else you might use wire mesh for.

{{gwi:129669}}

I found these in the garage and am using them to hold the mesh in place.

{{gwi:129670}}

This is where I finished for today. Getting dark early now so can't play outside for long. ;-( Hate when daylight savings ends.

I have a question about cementing. Do you put on two layers of cement? if you do, how do you get the two layers to adhere to each other? I'm thinking that I won't be able to put another layer of mesh over the cement cuz I won't be able to fasten it down but think I'll need two layers of cement. Come on you Rianna people, let me in on the secrets... PLEASE!!!!

Enjoy!!

Cait

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Comments (10)

Calamity_J
16 years ago
OH CAIT!!! I'm Drooling over this!!! Riana's way is to double the mesh before you cement, right on top of each other, the second layer attached to first layer with wire, but you could probably use thos fence staples.Then you smoosh the cement onto both layers. This is so exciting!!!
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siriusmosaics
16 years ago
Where did you get the foam? That is going to be great! I wish I had an area to work and try this. Just going to enjoy yours. Be sure to show lots of WIP, this is so interesting.
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Well thanks everyone! I just hope the weather holds out. Last night, again, was in the 30's. Winter's come early here. Cacbeary, that video is GREAT!! Thanks for sending me that. But I really don't think I need to shove rebar in the base. It's a very solid piece and has been sitting outside for the past 5 years without a bit of damage. I will definitely use rebar to attach the backs and arms. Yes, Bianchi, the bricks are cemented down. I wouldn't do it any other way. I'm not very good at leveling land. ;-) Now if it will just warm up a bit outside - still in the 40's and that's kinda cold. And I promise to take many, many pics. I'm a pic fiend so I won't miss taking a pic of any of the steps.
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flagtruck
16 years ago
Rianna says start at the bottom and work a little way up, let it set, then wet your joint with water and start applying again and work your way up some more. Keep wetting the place where you stopped and the new cement will adhere. She uses the aluminum metal mesh for stucco, and does 2 layers of mesh and the concrete fills in between the two layers. Since you are using chicken wire, I would do two layers. She says also if you do a finish coat prior to mosaic, use portland and silica sand or real fine sand to make a smooooooth finish. Also looked at Lyndalu's pics from SAMA, she took Sherri Hunter's workshop and it showed using StaticGard to keep the bits from flying. Also one pic showed a lot of tools she recommends using. Be sure to use only Portland cement with the sand mix, no stones. Mix to peanut butter consistency and add a glob with your trowel and use hands to work it into the wire and smooth it out. If you are going to mosaic the bench, I would do two coats and use a wire brush on the second coat to give it a little of a rough finish and then use thinset to set your dish shards, tiles etc. Good luck. Wish I had room to start one of those. You got guts girlie, I bet it will be beautiful.
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texaswild
16 years ago
OHGOODGRIEF,GOODGRIEF,GOODGRIEF!!! Another CAIT specatacular! Little girl - you have done some major construction. This is going to be a gorgeous seating area. CALAM is right - Riana way is ONLY to use two layers of wire mesh and one coat of concrete, but since you have the styrofoam already (which could act as a second layer of mesh) and a layer of hardware cloth, I can't see why you couldn't just put two layers of concrete. Your own judgment, though, is the key. You're there, you've obviously done some research/homework, so no advice from this novice. Oh, how I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the shape of these benches. I see you were smart to leave drainage holes too. Riana was telling us you can add little ledges for plants. One of hers seats 15 people (check out her site), and it has a niche at the top and has little ledges and pockets for plants. I so w/love to build a bench but have no place to put one.
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cindiloo
16 years ago
THANK YOU! For posting all your WIP pics! It answers that
question, "How'd she do that?". This is looking good and can't wait to see the next step!
SLOW: I have plenty of room to put one of your art benches :-) I hope to make one someday, but I'm still so far from doing something on that scale....I haven't even
tried making stepping stones yet!
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ladyronnie
16 years ago
CAIT: This is looking GREAT! Funny to hear "Hate when daylight savings ends", since we've only just started it on this side of the globe :) You could live in the States March-November, and back Down Under the rest of the year, then you'd never have to switch :)
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bamasusanna
16 years ago
Ooh, I admire you!
Here is a website that documents the making of a loveseat.

Here is a link that might be useful: Loveseat
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shrty411
16 years ago
That is quite a project. This is going to be fun to watch!!
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cait1
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks everyone. I will take everyone's comments on board. I've decided to put two layers of mesh on the edges as I don't really think I need to have two layers all over. I didn't work on it much today cuz I went out looking for thinset - and of course they didn't know what that was cuz it's called something else here. Was told to go to a tile place and I told the guy there what I was doing and he knew exactly what I wanted and I even got a couple of bags of colored grout and they had tiles they wanted to get rid of, mostly white, so I picked up 10"x10" tiles in light blue and dark blue. (very run-on sentence) And I also went charity shop shopping and found great stuff and lotsa deals!! Seems like Thursday is the day to got hunting for treasures. This one CS had tons of glass for 50 cents each - and for Oz that's a real bargain!!
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Calamity_J
16 years ago
I'd be tempted to just one mesh too, except on places I want to reinforce. In Mexico, we saw some statue planters, that were just chickenwire filled with newspaper(some4ft tall) and cemented..

Here is a link that might be useful: {{!gwi}}
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wip bench warning lots of pics

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