Thread: Holding up Flimsy $1.00 store Tombstones. Fast, easy and cheap!

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This year I decided to quickly run to my DT and pick up tombstones instead of taking my time making my own, which ends up costing a lot as well....so i skipped this step and went right into just buying flimsy tombstones.

I always had a problem holding my tombstones up with the windy October florida weather (and rain!) so this year I applied a 2' pieces of wood to the back of my stones by gluing them down with "Tacky Glue" and let dry for approx. 2 hours to be on the safe side. I cut the bottom pieces of the wood at angles to go into the ground easier. I also left approx. an inch (not even) at the top of the stones so they will be easier to hammer into the ground.

Then I painted the backs of the sticks to not make it look to obvious at night and WAL-AH! I have very sturdy stones.

Thanks..I was wondering if that would work....Now I can mark that off my list of things to figure out..Shoot..but I still have to find the time to do it..lol..

The glue holds very tightly too. It's about a 5min project, not even for each stone. I did 16 stones in about 30min, cutting the wood was the longest step and of course waiting for the glue to dry. I was going to spray paint the pieces of wood but i have an entire gallon of black paint i'm trying to use.

ok..so could I use the pre cut yard sale stakes? Me and saws are not a great idea and I hate waiting for someone at my house to cut things for me..lol..If not..I guess I can practice being patient..hehehe

Isn't Tacky Glue water-soluble?

i use velcro to attach stakes to tombstones. one on each side on the back. haven't had a problem with wind.

i can remove the stakes for easier storage

used the velcro from the fabric dept in walmart. has good sticky stuff to stick to both the stones & stakes.

hammer the stakes into the ground then press the stones onto the stakes.

using this method for numerous years without problem



amk

Originally Posted by annamarykahn

i use velcro to attach stakes to tombstones. one on each side on the back. haven't had a problem with wind.

i can remove the stakes for easier storage

used the velcro from the fabric dept in walmart. has good sticky stuff to stick to both the stones & stakes.

hammer the stakes into the ground then press the stones onto the stakes.

using this method for numerous years without problem



amk

Where were you with this tutorial about a week ago! Damn you and your velcro idea!! GRR. This is what i'll be doing for the rest of my stones. THANKS!

Originally Posted by Schattenmann

Isn't Tacky Glue water-soluble?

I haven't had any problems with them coming off in the rain yet, however they have only sustained one heavy rain and wind storm so far.

Originally Posted by notjustaphaze

ok..so could I use the pre cut yard sale stakes? Me and saws are not a great idea and I hate waiting for someone at my house to cut things for me..lol..If not..I guess I can practice being patient..hehehe

I was going to purchase these at walmart bc not only do they have pre-cut stakes BUT they also come with a sticky side to attach to a 'sign' or in our case, tombstones. They are $0.96 each and I was looking for the cheapest way possible and I already had free wood at the house.

I've done basically the same with hot glue (it's what I had available at the time) and I will drill a couple holes to insert screws with washers & nuts in case the hot glue gives out. Precut pointed end stakes from the hardware store-- a bit more expensive to do it this way unless you've got spare supplies laying around. Paint over the raw wood & screws. They stay put in the wind, too.

Kids stole my larger more expensive tombstones but left the dollar store ones behind