Comment by Shawn L - Colorado on February 18, 2013 at 10:46pm

Scott -

Are these solid, hollow, foam filled/based?

Nice looking rocks!

Comment by scott dobert on February 19, 2013 at 7:24am

THANKS SHAWN! these rocks are formed over a bunch of scrap foam glued to geather than hot knifed/carved to basic shape scrtach coated and carved up!

Comment by Shawn L - Colorado on February 19, 2013 at 8:12am

What do you do for the bottom of the rock?  Is it exposed to the ground?  do you flip the rock and coat the bottom?  Interested in knowing because I have a neighbor that wants me to make something very similar and I am really leaning toward the foam since I can make it in my garage and move it over later a lot easier.

Comment by Shawn L - Colorado on February 19, 2013 at 8:22am

Also, when you coat the scrap foam, do you use any wire mesh or lath or even basic chicken wire around it?  How do you prevent the scratch coat form not de-laminating from the foam?  Thanks.

Comment by scott dobert on February 19, 2013 at 5:36pm

again as these are decorative practice pieces i did not use any lath or wire at all. i brush/slather by gloved hand  a sluury of bonding agent portland and sand really just a wet mortar mix w less sand and a bit more portland mixed to a gooy slurry and let dry. then i put a heavy carve coat right over that. i have not filled the bottom. in a case where it is for a customer i would at least use chicken wire doubled or lath better yet spider lath will never rust and destroy your project. please be informed that as i did carve theses on a table that i use, that the large one is pretty stinckin heavy and its advisable to carve in place unless you have the stuff to move it. hope this helps 

Comment by Shawn L - Colorado on February 19, 2013 at 5:42pm

Thanks-

I built a small 3' by 3' by about 3' high rock out of rebar and lathe.  After scratch coating and carve coating I have to say that rock weighed at least 100 lbs or more.  I was lucky I got it out of my garage and into the back yard alone.  So I can only imagine how much the one you built here weighed.   I really appreciate the advice.  Thanks.

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