Made by Rhonda Ward
This is the project I’ve been working on for our experiment to see how Jonni’s cement paper mache holds up outdoors. I made three jacks out of styrofoam. The first two I covered with cement board joint tape, then one with the recipe without joint compound, the other with the recipe with joint compound. The third I’m applying the recipe with joint compound directly to the styrofoam. I tried both on small pieces, either recipe sticks to the styrofoam fine. I’ll post when I get them finished, but I thought someone may like to know that it works over styrofoam. The only other tip I’d like to add is screen (I used a flour sifter–haha) your portland cement, those little balls won’t break up in the mix.
How are the Jack’s holding up? Would.love to hear.
Those jacks look great. Nice straight lines and curves. They look perfect so far. Good experiment.
Thank you, Pat.
Thanks Lee. Yes, one without the mesh tape is a double experiment. I’m curious to see how strong just the cement recipe will be. Oh, I’ll be studying your book, too. I hope to go bigger eventually. What kind of welder do you use? Trying to decide what type of welding I need to learn.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge and talent with us. Jonni sure has made a nice community here for all of us.
I did not get my welder until last year . A Forney . You can find other ways to incoperate and make stronger armatures . The forney was approx 500.00
Thanks Lee. Forney is one of the ones I’ve seen. It won’t just be for armatures. I live on a farm(at least that’s what I call it), so many times the project would have been easier if I could weld.
I love you design , thank you for sharing the design.
I love your design ! thank you for sharing
Thank you, Mary.
Those are so great. I saw some the same size and shape at the physical therapist’s office. I wanted to take them home! Great job.
Thanks Rex. I thought they’d be something simple and fun to make for experiment. I was half right (I smile every time I look at them!), but carving styrofoam, especially circles, isn’t as easy as it looks. But I’m learning.
The mesh tape will add a lot of strength to the surface and help prevent cracking of thin layers over the styrofoam . They look great .