Thread: Concrete base for heavy props

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This is what I was thinking since I am not able to put rebar in the ground as supports for my props....I was wondering if I had a large flower pot, some concrete and a pvc pipe to stand within the mixture...that I would instantly have a strong prop stand. I was wondering if that would be a good idea I know someone did this before but I just cant remember.
My only problem is how big should I make the concrete block? And how mobile will it be when I need to use it? And is there any other alternatives?
Any suggestions?

P.S. the heads are about 23 pounds. So does this mean I need to use something else other than a pvc pipe?
Thanks in advance.

It sounds like you're making an "old school" umbrella base (basically a cement filled container into which you would insert the umbrella pole and let dry in place so the umbrella wouldn't tip over). On the face of it it sounds like a good solution to props that need to be held in place on ground you can't stake through (a driveway for instance). Keep in mind that the container will need to be big enough (surface area wise and not depth wise) to provide a large enough base so as to not tip over. The weight of the base is a catch-22 as you want it heavy enough to hold your prop in place, but not too heavy that it becomes non-transportable. PVC may work fine in the container or another option would be to use the rebar in its place for greater support or even metal piping found at any home improvment store's plumbing department. I sometime attach the piping (which is threaded) to a flange that is screwed into a square, wooden base I cut out of mdf or plywood. All you have to do after that is weigh it down.
I don't know what kind of props you'll be using, but if practical, are you able to weigh them down without any bases with sand bags? I've even used old cinder blocks on bases made of plywood scrap. Hope this helps.

At our cabin in Tenn. I used 5 Gal. paint buckets from Deport and painted them black. pored Quick Cret in to each and took a 6 foot tall plant hanging rod (sharper’s hook) and inserted this into the cret to hang those flaming caldrons to light the drive way.
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Are free! And work very well, can be cut down shorter if needed. I have just filled them with gravel or small pieces of scrap metal then replaced the lid for holding down a small tent in the parking lot.
Cast iron window weights ,elevator weights and other scarp metal pieces can be used too.
I also use smal diameter steel cable to hold odd objects in place, this method solves many attachment problems strongly and quickly.