Wondering if anyone has used the techniques for poured-in-place concrete countertops that are described in Rex Alexander’s article in FHB #125, Sept. 1999.
Have the methods described therein been improved upon? Are any of the publications available on CCs worth reading? I’m very interested in hearing any and all stories/experience/suggestions on this subject.
As always, thanks in advance and Happy New Year!
Replies
There are a couple of books by Fu-Tung Cheng, that Taunton publishes, one of which is on sale now on the web site $14.95.
They are both pretty good. My brother in law does concrete, and is thinking of expanding into counter tops, fireplace heaths and mantles, etc. He thought both of them were worth reading.
I did my first counters the Rex way, and you have to be talented with a trowel to get them perfect. Not again.
If you cast them upside down (melamine) as in the Cheng book, they will be close to perfect before polishing. After polishing you will love the finish - buy diamond pads on ebay.
I am delivering some cast counter slabs today - we use granite tools to round the front edge, and will occasionally grind the entire top to expose aggregate.
Thank you for your input gentlemen. I ordered the book this morning so we'll see how that goes. I see and hear a lot of discussion lately about casting these behemoths and then installing. Melamine seems to be the form of choice as opposed to the "rough" materials and Crisco used in the Rex article.
Is it just the superior finish capabilities that seem to make this the preferred method, or are there more advantages? Handling has to be a nightmare.
you can't finish the top as smooth as melamine and there not that hard to handle
we silicone the corners for a nice radius also have added moldings to the corners for nice finished edges.