I need someone to build a good tombstone
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Why don't you build one yourself? It's not that hard.
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I suggest a visit to a graveyard with a digital camera will inspire you.
The older the graveyard the better. The newer cemeteries tend to have flat boring markers. (they do that for easier mowing & up keep) Viewing these older markers & statuaries should led to inspiration of your own designs. Don't forget to respect the departed so, don't use their real names or information. I've made many trips to area graveyards & they were very fruitful for inspiration. Plus if you make it yourself, no one else can buy the exact same tombstone.
The older the graveyard the better. The newer cemeteries tend to have flat boring markers. (they do that for easier mowing & up keep) Viewing these older markers & statuaries should led to inspiration of your own designs. Don't forget to respect the departed so, don't use their real names or information. I've made many trips to area graveyards & they were very fruitful for inspiration. Plus if you make it yourself, no one else can buy the exact same tombstone.
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Try experimenting with foam to make the tombstones. With a few simple items: pencil soldering iron, propane torch, or heat gun. make the difference in aging them. If you use the "wet techinque": run water over the foam stone, then add heat to the wet area, it will age it. Foam is lighter & might have to be anchored due to wind.
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You should also check out Terra's tutorials under her profile, just find any post of hers, and she has a link in her signature. You can make really cool tombstones, it just takes a little practice.
Yeah, I agree...The money you spend for a GOOD one would allow you to goof up quite a few times and still have one cheaper...Plus you'd learn how to do it right to make a whole cemetery....If you want realistic, it would probably almost have to be foam although I was pretty impressed with smearing "Great Stuff" with a putty knife to keep it thin enough on my crypt on non foam parts....I'll have to try the water on the foam before torching to see the effect....You would've laughed watching me torch the foam bookcase with REAL FIRE out in the drive way this past summer....There was a couple times I thought the whole thing was going up in flames but in the end it came out really cool...Twisted and warped...Bottom line, Don't be afraid to experiment!...If you explain to people what kind of finish you want, people will give you all kinds of ideas here....Try a couple different approaches and figure out what works best for you...ZR
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Hey Zombie,
If you have a heat gun for paintremovale, you really get the same effect except you don't go up in flames, also add a drop of dish soap to your water for a wetting agent, it makes the effect much easier to produce, and if you use a heat gun remember water and electricity don't mix(those puddles can be hell!!
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I made alot last year they were by no means fancy.I used foam letters instead of engraving and mine had more of a realllllly old cemetery.Lots of flaws but after they were painted they were the look I wanted.You can get so creative.
I think tho the next time I make some I will buy the 3 inch styrofoam I had 7 come apart when I inserted the metal stands I used.But I have repaired and they are ready to be touch up painted.
With that said I have about 6 more from packaging styrofaom waiting to be painted.And I do want to buy a couple already built for variety.
I think tho the next time I make some I will buy the 3 inch styrofoam I had 7 come apart when I inserted the metal stands I used.But I have repaired and they are ready to be touch up painted.
With that said I have about 6 more from packaging styrofaom waiting to be painted.And I do want to buy a couple already built for variety.
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I used Powergrab (It's like Liquid Nails but I was told liquid nails eats the foam) and glued pieces of PVC to the back of my tombstones. Then slid the PVC over rebar. Worked out great for me.
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I just checked that site, and yep, pricey, but I thought the wedge tombstone's with the light hidden in them were a pretty good idea. I set lights and fogmachines my behind tombstones, and I like their idea for not only concealing them, but to help protect the electonics from the weather
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So what is this water technique is there a tutorial about that?Haven't heard this one.Hey Zombie,
If you have a heat gun for paintremovale, you really get the same effect except you don't go up in flames, also add a drop of dish soap to your water for a wetting agent, it makes the effect much easier to produce, and if you use a heat gun remember water and electricity don't mix(those puddles can be hell!!
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Sure there is, it's Keeba's tomstone technique, you can find it here:
Keebas tombstones
She doesn't use a heat gun, but a torch, but I found I had more control with a heat gun.
She also doesn't use the soap in the water, but again, I found that it really creates more control over the effect.
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I've done the water and blow-torch technique and liked the effect. I used 1 in. blue foam and now plan to attach them to 2 in. bead foam for depth and to provide space for staking them.
1JimBeam, we are having a Make & Take in February and I'm sure Ghostess could do a demo of her tombstones. They are beautiful!
I more than likely will be offering my van for carpooling services if you want to meet me at the Wildwood exit on I-75. Or there are a few others in the Tampa Bay area you could get in contact with.
1JimBeam, we are having a Make & Take in February and I'm sure Ghostess could do a demo of her tombstones. They are beautiful!
I more than likely will be offering my van for carpooling services if you want to meet me at the Wildwood exit on I-75. Or there are a few others in the Tampa Bay area you could get in contact with.
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