[rham]

Hello all,

I've Read the forums for some time, finally signed up. I go all out on Halloween, my favorite holiday anymore now that I'm grown

Anyways I'm looking for some tombstones for my front yard this year, I used the Styrofoam ones last year and just hated dealing with them and the wind has the tendency to blow here.

Does anybody know where you can get a somewhat heavy tombstone for the yard?

 

[DarkhavenManor]

Have you used rebar to secure them? Some of the members last year suggested rebar to me and I went for it, it worked perfectly and none of my tombstones budged. I've seen some people put pvc in the bottom of the foam stones and place them over rebar that way, seems to work.

 

[rham]

No didn't try rebar, I just used the plastic stakes that came with them, some wouldn't even go in my ground then I tried using some metal stakes but didn't work too well either. I've seen were people have modded them with wood bases and other stuff but I Really wanted to see if someone sold a somewhat heavy tombstone without spending time to modify them and such.

Heck Rebar may do it though, I'll have to experiment

 

[Screaming Demons]

Target and Michael's are among the places that I know sell resin tombstones.

 

[Danski]

There are plenty of ways I read about here on securing tombstones. Maybe try a search. I e seen it talked about quite often with great solutions. I don't do tombstones but I know several people have your same problem. There were some great fixes that prevent your tombstones from flying away in the worst weather. I'm sure someone will give you the fix.

 

[spiney99]

I am in a windy area as well. Up in the northeast I have yet to find a heavy stone for under $100 unless I made it myself.
Another idea can be found here (just click the title)
http://www.halloweenforum.com/tutorials-and-step-by-step/117303-tombstones-flying-away-solution.html
Easy and doesn't require drilling etc..especially since 90 percent of store stones seem to be only half an inch thick...

 

[Terra]

Used to live in Kansas - home of 40+ winds and use the rebar solution. They DO NOT BUDGE. Here's a video I made that shows how to get a PVC pipe in the middle of your stone. But there are other ways - some drill holes in the stone - others glue them to the back.

 

[Neuf350Z]

I agree with the others here when it comes to rebar. There's nothing worse than putting all that work into a stone and having it blow across the yard and get damaged along the way.

I use different thicknesses of foam and will sandwich my PVC pipe between thicker pieces and on thinner foam I'll use Gorilla Glue to glue my PVC pipe to the back, securing it with conduit straps (http://www.homedepot.com/p/Halex-1-2-in-Rigid-2-Hole-Conduit-Straps-10-Pack-26121/100206926) I attach the straps to the foam with GG on the back and then screw them into the foam using drywall screws that are coated in Gorilla Glue so that hardens the screw into place.

 

[rham]

Thanks for the replies guys. I'll definitely test out with the rebar, and I'll check out Target as well we have one nearby.

Sounds like a home-brew solution is the best bet though. I'll see what I can do with these ideas.

Thanks again.

 

[halloween71]

grandinroad also has resin tombstone...but pricey.I got a bunch a few years ago half price i love them.But just like the other members I make my own and use pvc or wooden dowels to secure.

 

[Scatterbrains]

I think Home Depot had big resin ones last year. Target and Michaels usually do too, but they're small for me

 

[DesertSasquatch2011]

Just a thought but, I mention because I'm curious how about using used cabinet doors the ones that have an arch design painting them roughing them up. With a good base don't think it would topple over. Not sure.....

 

[jbaum]

I use the wire holders for political signs (coro) for my stones. I cut the wire in half so I have holders for two stones. I haven't lost a stone yet even on the windy days. The wire is flexible enough to allow some movement but they seem to always stay put. You can heat the wire up for easy insertion into the foam.

 

[LoveAndEyeballs]

DawntheDead created a post about her tombstones blowing away, and her solution to that in the Tutorials section: Tombstones Flying Away?l

It's not as heavy-duty as the rebar/PVC options, but it will work if you don't have very strong winds. I'm making ours from scrap wood this year, so that's another option if you decide to make yours in the future.

Of course, like others have said, Michaels and other stores sell resin tombstones. They're just pricier and different to store.

 

[DaveintheGrave]

In your local cemetery, maybe?? JK

 

[Dogbite]

I made some a couple years ago using hypertufa, a concrete mix with peat moss instead of sand. They're about 1/2 the weight of concrete & not going to blow away.

 

[Trex]

The rebar system really does work! We have been using PVC sandwiched between foam sheets and then inserting the stone over the rebar since 2010, we haven't lost a tombstone since converting over.

And while you are at it, check out the thread below from today as well, it is information on how to re-purpose those thin, dollar store tombstones many of us have utilizing PVC method so they don't blow away!

http://www.halloweenforum.com/hallo...do-you-doctor-up-store-bought-tombstones.html

 

[Pretty Little Nightmare]

Homegoods usually gets some resin stones in. Last year my store got a few large ones that were nice looking, I think they were in the $40-$70 price range depending on size. They went pretty quick and they didn't get anymore in. My Michaels store has 2 resin stones and they both have lenticulars on the front of them.