Thread: Plaster stones?

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I am working on a prop that will require the look of field stones, like in a field stone fireplace. I can’t use real stones, but wanted to make my own. I figure I’ll need about 20-25 stones, similar to the ‘fake’ ones you can get in a large hardware store. My question is, has anyone used plaster to create fake stones and cemented/glued them to your project? I figure it might still be heavy, but plaster of Paris is cheap and if I Paint them they should be weatherproof. I don't need them to be thicker than about an inch.

I’ll tell you more about my prop in a later post, once I get my initial drawing scanned. SO other then plaster of Paris, what else could I use at minimal cost?

that would be heavy. have you thought of using foamboard instead?

I don't know if this will work for you, but I don't see why not. I was a "hobby" Blacksmith for a long time and did some work with sand casting.

The basic idea is too make a depression in a deep bed of fine sand and pouring molten iron or pewter in to take that shape. This is how church bells were made all over Europe long ago.

I think a similar method with the medium of plaster in place of iron would serve you.

Make or find a deep box, fill it with fine sand (use sandbox sand for kids playgrounds, Lowe's or Home Depot has it) buy one fake stone or use a real one, wet down the sand so it can hold a form by packing firm . (you may need to add a little clay or clay "kitty litter")

Press in your stone and leave it there for the sand/clay to dry around it to get surface details of the stone. when dry, lift out the stone and pour in your plaster.

Let it dry hard, and there you have a plaster stone. Make all you want for little $$$$$$ !

I hope this helps you, let us know how you get on.

My suggestion would be to use 1" foam board. Cut this into the shapes of your stone and follow my use of a torch to add detail. Then just paint and adhere them to your project.

YouTube - Styrofoam stone work.

This video show how I did my brickwork. It will be the same for stones.

Darkmaster, I like the effect. I was looking for a quick and easy way to do a large stone facade. This will work great.

I would make uneven stone pieces from styrofoam.

Originally Posted by darkmaster

My suggestion would be to use 1" foam board. Cut this into the shapes of your stone and follow my use of a torch to add detail. Then just paint and adhere them to your project.

YouTube - Styrofoam stone work.

This video show how I did my brickwork. It will be the same for stones.

What a neat way to soften the stonework...no foam snow to clean up

The project i'm going to attach these to is round. SO, I guess i can cut individual 'stones' from pink foam, manually shape them and burn the edges and surface for cool effects. Darn, was hoping to find a way to use this 25 pounds of plaster!! Great video Darkmaster, thanks for the idea savagehaunter. Mad Mad Mark, I have actually done foundry work in school, i get the concept, great idea too!

don't know if this will work for yours but what I am working on pics and info to come but I am using the stone paint you can get at home hardware

To texture foam to look like stone I have used a heat gun on wet foam. (run water from a garden hose over the foam while applying heat). Needless to say watch that water /electricity thing!