paper pots

will0911

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Today I am going to try and use the technique described on bonsai4me.com to make some paper pots. I will post the steps as I do them and hopefully I get some nice cheap pots that are light and strong! Anyone on here try this?
 

will0911

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so here is the process the way i did it....didnt get a picture of the newspaper before i mixed it but i soaked it for three days and used and electric mixing wand and i put it in my drill and it worked perfectly fine.

dry cement
2011-10-08_16-36-24_187.jpg


mixing tool!
2011-10-08_16-36-44_329.jpg


mixed cement and paper equal parts
2011-10-08_16-36-20_519.jpg


I also added this acrylic stuff because i couldnt find the fibers from the site but it should be fine.
2011-10-08_16-36-37_462.jpg


this is the mold i made and used styrofoam to make the legs by cutting out the corners for the shape i wanted.
2011-10-08_16-36-05_780.jpg


this is just after i finished the bottom
2011-10-08_16-36-16_185.jpg


this is just after starting the walls
2011-10-08_16-38-31_186.jpg


a little bit further
2011-10-08_16-38-40_398.jpg


done!
2011-10-08_16-48-49_703.jpg


now just wait a few days and ill take them out and wait awhile so they can weather and i will seal and paint them for bonsai use!

thanks hope this helps

Will B.

P.S. i have never done this or pottery i just figured i would give it a shot and it is pretty easy! the hardest part was carrying the 60 lb cement bag out of the store and that was easy too so you guys should try it!
 

will0911

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a few more pots i did

i used this box this guy gave me and used the top for one pot and the bottom for the other. also i used left over bucket from hydraulic cement. I plan on making many more pots this winter i just need more newspaper!

2011-10-08_18-31-57_741.jpg


2011-10-08_18-32-26_893.jpg


2011-10-08_18-31-32_373.jpg


well thats it for now. ill post some updates in a week or so!
 

4WeirdBooks

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Yes very interesting. Will they all have a 'rough' finish or will there be a final step to make some 'smooth' more formal ones.
I have done similar work with cement, and they come out excellent but are so darn heavy ... I'm hoping that your addition of newspapers will lighten them tremendously.
I'm getting old (aren't we all?) And my darn shoulders just cannot pick up the weight they once did ... gave away every cement pot I had due to my sissy shoulders :)
 

will0911

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Rick,

After they have dried I will sand and probably use primer and paint to achieve a smooth finish. Also yes these pots will be considerably lighter. I probably wont sand the inside to keep it rough for the roots to cling to. I plan on making several of these pots so hopefully it works out. I will keep you posted on their development!
 

will0911

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Hey rick I just thought about this but the outside of the pot should be relatively smooth because the material is pressed pretty hard again the flat surface of the mold so there should only be minor sanding for the outside but I will probably smooth the inside a little at least the lip and top half of the inside walls...
 

tmmason10

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This is interesting. Can't wait to see how these turn out I have seen that same article on Harry's website and thought it was interesting.
 

will0911

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Hey tom,

Its pretty easy...hopefully not too easy but fun nonetheless...I will check on the ib about 2this days to see if they are ready.
 

will0911

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Here are a couple if the pots out of their molds...

2011-10-09_16-23-22_983.jpg


2011-10-09_16-24-46_836.jpg


2011-10-09_16-30-53_565.jpg


2011-10-09_16-31-06_553.jpg


Comments welcome...but remember I still have to sand and paint so this is only the first stage.

Thanks

Will B.
 

tmmason10

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Very intriguing! Looks cool can't wait to see how they end up. Good training pots though nicely done
 
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Good work, keep posting, I'm going to give it a shot next year, time permitting. Once again great job.
 

will0911

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Thanks guys for the positive feedback comments ...I still have two in the molds...bigger ones. Ill check them today! Again thanks!
 

Alex DeRuiter

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Awesome process! Thank you for sharing :)

Just curious (I hope this hasn't been asked yet and I missed it. . . .), how heavy are these pots?
 

will0911

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Alex,

These pots should be lighter than normal pots. Thanks for the interest.


Will B.
 

Joedes3

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How are these different from hypertufa?
 

jmuzzey

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Do not let these pots freeze though. The concrete will absorb water, and freezing and thawing will cause the concrete to break, just like cheap ceramic pots that are left outside. Concrete is much mroe porous than ceramic though, and roots can grow into the crevices of the inside of the pots. So that will be something to watch out for.

Sanding them will not do much, as concrete does not sand well. It needs to be trowelled to a nice finish while it is wet and setting.

I work with cements and mortars, as I am a tile and stone setter. The acrylic admix will help the pot have some flexability to handle the expansion and contraction of the cement through temp swings, but will not make it freeze thaw stable.

I love seeing people do DIY projects. You should look into a local junior college, or ceramic shop, or pottery shop. You can usually either join a club, take a class, or pay a small fee to use their kiln. Then you can use ceramic or porcelain clay and make your own pots with help and advice from others. It is always fun to create something with your hands. Best of luck, keep posting updates on your pots as you finish them and as they wear. I am interested to see how they hold up.
 

will0911

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Jmuzzey...thanks for the good advice! I would love to make ceramic pots! I have actually played with air dry clay just for fun but would like to make some clay crescent pots! I will keep you guts posted! Thanks again!
 
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