Replies

1. 
   FastEddie1 | Oct 28, 2002 10:20pm | #1

   There was an article in FHB this year, and also a book published by that author that would probably answer a lot of your questions.  No, I have not, but I have been tempted.

2. 
   Mongo | Oct 29, 2002 01:17am | #2

   check your email...

3. 
   Mongo | Oct 29, 2002 01:23am | #3

   I didn't see any way to send an attachment on Taunton's email, so email me directly and I'll attach it to a reply.

   If you're interested.

1. 
   FastEddie1 | Oct 29, 2002 02:45am | #4

   Curious minds want to know...what did you send him?

1. 
   Mongo | Oct 29, 2002 03:42am | #6

   In the past I've made so many posts and answered so many questions regarding cctops that I finally sat down one night last year and wrote a little DIY ditty.

   I was going to send him the ditty.

2. 
   01MJ01 | Oct 29, 2002 03:30am | #5

   Can I have one too? can I, can I? Pleeeeese!

1. 
   Mongo | Oct 29, 2002 03:46am | #7

   "Please"?

   You said "PLEASE"!!

   How refreshing! I ought to send you two copies.<g>

   Edit: If you want a copy, email me and I'll attach it to the reply.

   Double Edit: If you email me, use "concrete countertops" in the subject line. Otherwise I may delete the email without opening it. Ensure your email has a text message. I delete emails from non-recognizes senders that have the message as an attachment.

   Edited 10/28/2002 8:50:45 PM ET by Mongo

   Edited 10/28/2002 8:53:40 PM ET by Mongo

1. 
   donpapenburg | Oct 29, 2002 08:14am | #8

   Mongo, I want to make a shinny deep black counter top . Would I still need the white portland ? My guess is that I would not as the grey is getting closer to the black . However you have done alot of experimenting with coloring and I figger you would know the answer ,saving me a lot of time and concrete. Don

1. 
   Mongo | Oct 29, 2002 09:10am | #9

   You're correct...the gray portland will work just fine.

   Pea gravel  in the mix will mottle the color somewhat...giving variations in color from black to dark charcoal gray. Kind of like soapstone or a dark slate. If you want a flatter, more monochromatic black, omit the stone and just use sand. A mix almost like a lime-less mortar mix.

   If you really want to go nuts, you can use black sand...tough to find, though, and tough on the wallet.

2. 
   donpapenburg | Oct 31, 2002 02:35am | #10

   Mongo are you talking of real sand that is black or coal slag ? black magnum? Don

3. 
   Mongo | Oct 31, 2002 06:57am | #13

   I got it in 100 kilo bags, about 220 pounds. It had a consistency similar to fine silica, I thought it was ground lava rock.

   You can get a pretty dark slab just with a 10% carbon black, you can take it slightly darker by adding a black dye to the mix. I get plenty from carbon black. Sometimes the dye can bleed even after the slab has cured. A follow up acid stain can give some darkness, though I hardly ever use the stuff.

   I wouldn't use an acid stain with black sand due to the high mineral content of the sand.

4. 
   Bruce | Oct 31, 2002 05:56am | #12

   If you're interested in black, here's a thought.  You can get soapstone for a real decent price and work it yourself.  It's dense but soft.  You can cut it with an abrasive blade in a circular saw and rout the edges w/ a carbide bit.  Would you believe $18-$22/sq. ft.?

   Check out http://www.soapstones.com.

5. 
   Mongo | Oct 31, 2002 07:03am | #14

   Soapstone is my favorite countertop material.

   Cheng's book is worth a read if you're interested in doing a slab. His techniques are more labor intensive than mine, but the text and pics may prevent your first slabs from being good for nothing other than a 500-pound paperweight. Or a stoop for the front porch.

4. 
   Bruce | Oct 31, 2002 05:51am | #11

   Never done any, but considering it ... the new Taunton book Concrete Countertops by Fu-Tung Cheng is excellent.  You should also go to http://www.concretenetwork.com and check out their section on the subject.