How to cast a tombstone with your own hands. Master class with step-by-step photos on making a victory monument from cardboard and paper with your own hands. Backfilling crushed stone and installing other elements

Remembering relatives and friends who have passed away, memorial plaques, obelisks, and pedestals are installed on their graves.

Tombstones are made of marble, granite, small stone chips and metal. The burial sites are looked after, maintained in order and ennobled.

Basically, they turn to specialized funeral service companies, where they order the installation of monuments in combination with foundation work. You can make the foundation for a monument in a cemetery yourself, without contacting construction organizations.

At the site of installation of the monument, the soil is first examined. A good guide will become neighboring burial sites. On stable ground, the monuments look level and do not warp anywhere. You can make a foundation even for heavy slabs and tombstones.

On clay soil under massive ritual complexes they lay strip foundation. IN sandy soils Without going deep, a strip base is made.

Preference is given to the construction of monuments of small and medium size. The main focus of the project is on the center of gravity. In the most difficult place, the foundation is thoroughly strengthened. Particular strength keeps the structure intact long years in a good condition.

Inventory:

• Shovels;
• Roulette;
• Putty knife;
• Master OK;
• Rubber mallet;
• Hard rubber from 5 mm;
• Building level.

In a bucket or special container. If dismantling is carried out, you will need a crowbar.

Equipment:

• Reinforced concrete beams- three jokes;
• One reinforcement each with a diameter of 16 mm, a length of 30 cm and 14 by 15.

Standard set of material:

• Glue;
• Boards;
• Sand;
• Cement;
• Crushed stone.

Under the place optimal load use a base made of durable metal.

Site preparation

The construction of a foundation for a monument begins with clearing and preparing the site. If an old monument is erected, the location of the foundation and beams is determined. After clearing, marking is carried out. Using a crowbar, the edges of the burial are determined.

The length of the beams is calculated. A trench is dug under the ends of the beams and the frame is immersed. Reinforced concrete beams are laid taking into account that the cabinet and. Using a level will save a lot of time.

It is important at all stages to check the dimensions as often as possible.

Installation of formwork

Formwork is installed on the frame. The formwork is assembled from wooden material or metal shields. Temporary spacers are made under the tree, and the inside is covered with roofing felt insulation.

Finished formwork panels have great strength. The panels are connected with bolts. The design is easy to use. The formwork can be quickly removed from the foundation. After metal formwork a smooth and level area remains.

For professional builders, metal panels become an indispensable assistant. If you build the foundation yourself, wooden formwork will cost less. The material is selected to be reliable to maintain concrete pressure.

Foundation reinforcement

Reinforcement increases the strength of the monument's base. Auxiliary fasteners reliably maintain the stability of the ritual complex. The frame is knitted from special wire or welded.

To install the stand, cement and water are diluted to a pasty state. Laitance of cement is fed into the lower opening of the pipe. The reinforcement pin is coated with the same solution. The pin is dipped in dry cement and inserted into the prepared hole at the bottom of the cabinet.

The beams are immersed in a trench filled with mortar. The beams must be recessed into the concrete itself. Excess mortar must be removed and wait until the structure “sets.” Next, a pillow is formed, and a stand is installed on it with a pin into the ground.

Big rubber mallet The compaction is made evenly, and at the same time the stand is leveled.

Important! There must be connecting holes between the stand and the monument. Cement mortar is first poured into them and metal reinforcement is inserted.

Pouring concrete

For installation of the cabinet, sand is made cement mortar great rigidity. Humidity should be low. Sand should not be allowed to spill. A weak solution is not suitable for such work.

Cement laitance is applied completely over the entire area of ​​the reinforcement. Concrete is poured into the trench so that the beam is supported and located in the concrete. The structure is sprinkled with dry soil on top. The distance between the gaps is two mm or less.

After pouring, the joints are grouted. Cement is mixed with water until it reaches the consistency of sour cream. First, the long part of the flower bed is carefully removed and a concrete solution is laid. The middle remains empty to drain water during rain.

A slight downward deviation is allowed so that there is no gathering near the monument. rainwater. The seams are sprinkled with cement and deep cleaning is done. The remaining parts are also installed. The solution quickly sets and hardens.

To correctly place the monument without disturbing the structure, small planks are used on the stand. Check the alignment of the holes. After which the boards are removed. Having removed the last devices, the monument is carefully moved to release the free solution. A control check is made based on the level.

After sprinkling the seam, you must not:

• Move and loosen;
• Check the strength of the connection;
• Fill the flower bed with soil. This can be done in two weeks.

If no auxiliary works, it remains to prime the visible solution near the monument.

Cladding works

There are many ways of facing monuments: from modern to classic options. Granite tile cladding is strong, durable, looks beautiful, but is more expensive than paving slabs.

Previously with concrete base remove dirt and dust. Fat is removed from the surface special glue. Markings are made on the foundation. With a special circle, notches are applied where the glue will be poured. The tiles are laid according to the markings and pressed tightly. Within 24 hours, the glue sets to the surface. Excess glue from the surface is removed with a solvent.

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Instead of concrete tiles You can put a special slab made of heavy-duty reinforced concrete on the grave. A minimum of time is spent on installation - maximum aesthetics and reliability. Conventional cladding is an old proven installation method without glue, without cement, without a monolith. All work is carried out using a hammer and loose clinching.

The bright memory of the person who left our world remains forever in the hearts of his loved ones and relatives. The path to the grave is not overgrown; there are always fresh flowers there. To emphasize the love for the deceased and the depth of their grief, family members install a tombstone at the grave, where the dates of birth and death, the name of the deceased, epitaphs are usually written, and a photograph is often placed (either embossed on the slab itself or printed). What are monuments made of? Read about this in the article.

Installation of a tombstone

Today you can order a monument at every funeral home. The staff will provide you with a catalog of samples from which you can choose suitable option. Also, if you want, the tombstone can be made according to an individual sketch. Before placing an order, you need to select a material. You will be told about what the monuments are made of at the office of the manufacturing company. Keep in mind that the better and stronger the material, the longer the tombstone will retain its original appearance, however, the price will be correspondingly higher. Currently on the market they offer all kinds of tombstones: made of stone, metal, polymer granite, concrete and even wood. Let's look at the advantages and disadvantages of each option in more detail.

Monuments made of natural stone

Such tombstones are considered the most reliable and noble; they will look dignified for a long time and can stand for centuries. What stone are monuments made from? The most the best material Granite is rightfully considered, marble is no less often used. Let's talk about the properties of these stones.

1. Granite tombstones

This material does not turn gray or fade when exposed to sunlight, and does not crack due to temperature changes. A granite monument can have any thickness and shape, because the material is easy to process. At the same time you can be sure that ready product will not have any damage: cracks or chips. It will be possible to apply a portrait image of any complexity onto it, and the surface will not lose its neatness and will not look too scratched. The advantage of this stone is that it comes in a huge variety of color variations, so you can choose absolutely any color. Gabbro granite is considered the most beautiful and expensive.

2. Marble tombstones

This material is softer than granite, therefore, working with it is more problematic. Perhaps the only advantage is the lower price. It is impossible to carve a portrait on such a stone, so usually a photo oval is attached to it.

Manufacturers make tombstones not only from natural marble, but also make monuments from artificial stone. In any case, the material requires regular maintenance and is less durable than granite. If you live at a considerable distance from the burial site and do not have the opportunity to often come to the cemetery to clean the marble from dirt, it is better to choose another tombstone option. The fact is that grease and moisture leave stains on such monuments, and the colored material is also characterized by low frost resistance.

Metal monuments

This group includes bronze, iron and other tombstones. Various metals have different properties, but have in common significant drawback- susceptibility to corrosion. Unfortunately, you should also be wary of vandalism. Metal products can be handed over to a recycling center for money, so there are cases when monuments are simply taken away from the cemetery.

1. Bronze tombstones

They look expensive and solid, even corrosion looks noble on them. Nevertheless, they are quite rare in their entirety; often letters or bronze decorations are applied to stone slabs. In this way, even the most modest tombstone can be given individuality.

2. Iron monuments

These products are simple and easy to install. But dismantling, unfortunately, will not cause any difficulties either. In general, it is better not to choose this material: it quickly rusts and is easily deformed. To some extent, this situation can be prevented by regularly painting the tombstone.

What other material are monuments made from?

Nowadays polymer granite is often used for this type of product. This is a mixture and granite chips, which is first cast into molds and, after hardening, covered protective composition and draw up decorative elements. Such a tombstone will last less than a stone one, but it also costs less. Despite the fact that the monument will look like granite on the outside, it is often hollow inside. This means that after some time the joints will begin to separate, and beautiful view will be lost. In terms of manufacturing technology, polymer granite products are very similar to gravestones made from stone chips. The only difference is in the binding substance - instead of concrete, a polymer is used.

Other materials

When talking about what monuments are made of, it is impossible not to mention concrete. From of this material the tombstone is cast entirely, that is, apart from concrete, no other components are present. This design is unreliable; even with proper reinforcement, the monument will not retain its original appearance for long: concrete quickly crumbles and under the influence external environment begins to crumble.

Finally

We have not listed all the options for what monuments are made from. The choice is quite extensive; To avoid mistakes, it is better to seek advice from professionals. After all, it is important to install a tombstone that will leave for descendants the memory of the deceased forever!

Concrete or cement mortar can be used not only as construction material, including how excellent material for implementation creative ideas– production of garden and park sculptures.

What will be required for production?

To decorate your local area, garden or landscape design concrete sculptures are not required special education, special equipment and special skills. What you will need is desire, spatial thinking, ability to work with concrete and a sense of beauty. Ability to operate a welding machine may be required.

Depending on the sculpture technology adopted, you will need following materials and tools:

• Container for mixing mortar or concrete mixer;
• Entrenching tools: shovels, spatula, trowel;
• Steel or aluminum wire;
• Pliers and wire cutters;
• Portland cement M400 (white or grey), sand, water, plasticizer for concrete (for example, detergent Fairy or PVA glue);
• Polyethylene film;
• Plastic construction mesh;
• Paint and primer for external work “on concrete”;
• Molds for pouring (an option for making sculptures by pouring into molds).

Options and technologies

Before you start mixing the material, you should decide on the type of technology for making the sculpture. It depends on the shape and size of the product. Simple sculptures such as: mushrooms, koloboks, figures in the form of spheres or hemispheres can be made using the technology of pouring into molds, complex “realistic” sculptures in the form of animals, flowers, trees, birds, caricatures of people and other similar products are made using a more complex - frame technology. Figures are relative small sizes can be sculpted from concrete by hand, similar to plasticine.

Frame technology

This is one of the most complex technologies, which involves making the frame of a future sculpture from steel or aluminum wire. There are no standard recipes here, except for recommendations to use any suitable unnecessary things as a basis: boxes, wood, rags, etc.

The frame can be made from aluminum wire by knitting, from steel wire by welding, or by a combined method - welding the base of the sculpture and knitting its individual elements.

If the sculpture is planned as hollow (the preferred option), the frame is very carefully and carefully covered construction mesh. When manufacturing a hollow figure, not only are expensive concrete components saved, but there is also no need to order lifting devices to move it and install it in a permanent place.

The solution is applied to the frame in layers using a spatula and a trowel. Each new layer is applied after the previous layer begins to set. After the last layer has been applied and the concrete has set, but has not yet dried, defects in the sculpture (sagging, drips, burrs, etc.) should be corrected. This can be done with a spatula, knife or coarse sandpaper.

Technology of pouring into ready-made molds

The technology involves the purchase or production of special forms, similar to construction formwork. For example, to fill a mushroom cap, you can use a bowl, basin or half a ball lined with plastic film, and for the leg – plastic bottle, which, after the concrete has set, is cut and removed.

When making the mold, you should ensure that there are no large gaps through which the solution could leak out. Also, in order to save concrete, you can put a plastic bottle inside the mold, or fill the space with unnecessary rags.

Technology for preparing concrete mortar for pouring sculpture

• The sand is sifted and mixed with cement in a ratio of 3:1. When choosing between white and gray Portland cement, you should take into account that the paints applied to white cement will look brighter, richer and more natural. At the same time, white cement is much more expensive than the usual “gray” binder;
• Add to the resulting homogeneous mixture in small portions pure water and a plasticizer in the proportion of 200 ml of liquid per bag of cement weighing 50 kg. Mix until smooth. Controlling the consistency of “thick sour cream”. If the concrete is too thick, add water and mix again.

After obtaining the consistency of thick sour cream, the solution is ready to be applied to the frame or shell mold.

Today the market offers many products. Including monuments that are installed on the graves of the deceased. Of course, at all times marble or granite slabs and tombstones. But, as you know, such products are far from cheap. Concrete products have become an excellent alternative to expensive marble and granite monuments. They cost an order of magnitude cheaper and look quite presentable. And if you really want to, you can make a concrete monument with your own hands.

Advantages of concrete monuments

There are many advantages to monuments made of concrete. The most significant of them is, of course, the affordable cost. Besides, concrete products do not require any special care. They are easy to make and there are no difficulties in installation. The concrete monument will stand on the grave for decades.

Preparing for work

So, in order to make a monument or tombstone with your own hands, you should first make sure that you have everything you need at hand - tools, materials. It is also important to know the basic proportions for mixing concrete. Special attention It is worth paying attention to the containers in which the monument will be cast.

Tools

The key point of the technical line is the vibrating table for moldings. Necessary to evenly compact the solution. It is on this table that during the production process containers will be installed into which the liquid source will be poured. Next, the tabletop will make movements, they will help compact the containers. As a result, the products are strong, high quality, and durable.

! The table is irreplaceable manual labor machine tool. Therefore, you will need to purchase it for production in any case. You will have to spend from 50,000 rubles.

Production cannot be done without a vibrating sieve. It is needed in case the purchased cement turns out to be Low quality(sometimes it may contain foreign objects, pieces, pieces of paper, and so on). Under no circumstances should such impurities be allowed to enter the solution. Therefore, the cement should be sifted before mixing. Otherwise, the finished product may be unsuitable for use and will be written off as defective. By the way, you can replace the vibrating sieve manual device, but be prepared for the fact that sifting in this case will take much longer, which means it is not economically viable. The price of a vibrating sieve is from 10,000 rubles.

Concrete mixer or mixer. Also necessary thing. Of course, you can knead the solution yourself, with your hands. But there is no guarantee that the solution will be homogeneous. A concrete mixer will allow you to prepare cement efficiently and, most importantly, quickly. Pay attention to the power of the unit, choose 130-165 hp. The price ranges from 11-16,000 rubles.

Concrete molds

When making concrete monuments, you can’t do without molds. If you are planning to make a simple monument, without intricate lines, an ordinary rectangular mold will do, which is quite possible to make yourself. The most important condition is that the container must have clear, straight corners, the surface must be absolutely flat, there should be no chips, cracks, or other defects on it, otherwise all this will be reflected in the monument.

If desired, you can make patterned monuments. Containers for their production are sold in specialized stores or workshops that sell components for the production of monuments.

In the mass production of monuments of template forms there must be at least 10 (and this is only for initial stage production) – the client should always have a choice. The uniform costs approximately 10-20,000 rubles. The materials from which the containers are made are polystyrene, PVC, ABS, fiberglass.

The thickness of the container walls should not be more than 3 mm. The forms are lightweight and easy to transport, stack and store. Fiberglass molds are especially popular - they can be easily restored if damage suddenly occurs: scratches and cuts can be smoothed out with sandpaper. In addition, such containers require additional formwork and hold their shape perfectly.

Reinforcing elements

It is also impossible to do without reinforcing elements in the process of creating monuments. They are necessary to give strength to the product and durability of the final structure. As a rule, reinforcement is used whose thickness is at least 10-12 mm. A metal circle will also work. The dimensions of such elements directly depend on how much the monument weighs and on its configuration, therefore they are calculated individually for each specific case.

Cement

To produce monuments you will need cement, and of very high quality. It is best to use M500 grade concrete without additives (please note that the bag is marked D0). Don’t forget that cement will determine how durable and high-quality your product will be.

You can use fillers, for example, suitable marble chips. However, it is not cheap. Therefore, many manufacturers prefer concrete dyes: they are added to the solution completely or to a part of it that will be used for exterior finishing.

It is a significant component; its presence in concrete makes the mixture more plastic, and it is easier to remove air masses from it, which is very important, especially if you do not have a vibrating table and compaction is done manually.

IMPORTANT! Choose only for the mixture, with it the material will be much stronger. Before adding sand, be sure to rinse it: pour it into a container, fill it with water, and stir. The sand will settle to the bottom. And all the garbage and impurities will float up. After that all that remains is to drain dirty water. The procedure is repeated two to three times.