There can't be anything better than a stone bird bath. It is stable, durable and frost-resistant. And of course it can also be elegant. But stone is also hard. Working on it is hardly possible for a layperson and without tools.
How can I make a stone bird bath myself?
To make a stone bird bath yourself, you need cast stone, cement, water, sand, color pigments, two plastic bowls and oil. Pour the mixed stone casting into the bowls, let it harden and sand the edges.
Working stone
There must be a sufficiently large depression in a stone so that water can be filled for birds. By nature, no specimen is suitable as a birdbath; it must first be treated. Although stones have different hardnesses, special tools must be used for each processing. The easiest way to get a stone bird bath is to sign up for a course. There you will be provided with the necessary tools and explained how to use them.
Tip
If you want to create stone works of art regularly, it is worth purchasing the tools. Stones can also be purchased specifically for such purposes.
Cast stone model
Working with stone casting (€63.00 on Amazon) is easier to do at home. This is mixed like concrete and poured into a suitable mold. Cement, water, sand and color pigments are used for its production. You can get these materials at the hardware store. You will also need two plastic bowls of different sizes to serve as a mold. They shouldn't be too deep. The future bird bath must have approximately the following dimensions:
- at least 30 cm diameter
- in the middle approx. 10 cm deep
- only a few cm deep at the edge
- A smooth transition is ideal
How the outside of the bird bath is later designed does not play a decisive role in its function. What is much more important is where you place the bird bath so that the birds are not endangered by cats sneaking around.
Construction instructions
- Brush both bowls with oil. The large bowl from the inside and the small one from the outside.
- Prepare the stone casting according to the instructions.
- Pour the stone casting into the large bowl. Shake to allow air bubbles to escape. Move the bowl back and forth so that the icing can spread evenly.
- Then place the smaller bowl inside. If necessary, weigh them down with pebbles or sand.
- The mold is left to harden for a few days.
- When the stone casting is dry, you can remove the bird bath from the mold.
Rework birdbath
You can further work on the bird bath using a sanding tool such as a sanding sponge. The edge in particular should be sanded flat and rounded. Pure cast stone is already visually appealing. However, you can paint the bird bath as desired.
