Where else to find budget-friendly plastic molds

14 years ago

Restaurant supply stores are another good source for inexpensive plastic molds, as are party supply sections at Dollar Stores. I found a large plastic salad bowl for about $2 at a local restaurant store and plan to make a hypertufa planter when I've got some time. I will spray glue some sword fern leaves to the inside before I pour for additional texture.

You can also find some well-priced plastic molds on the Internet that are meant to be used over and over. One eBay seller recommended clean motor oil for a release for ABS plastic, but I found that Canola oil from my kitchen mister worked just fine and wasn't hazmat.

Incidentally, I am experimenting with hobby-grade acrylic craft paints to tint regular (not hypertufa) concrete projects. (See photo.) I watered the paint down quite a bit and applied it like you would a stain, then topped it with two coats of spray polyurethane when I was satisfied. The one shown is ordinary concrete ready-mix, though I think the mortar mix I've since tried will work even better for this type of coloring. The stone is out in the yard now since I want to know if the color fades over time.

http://i1049.photobucket.com/albums/s388/SR_1-3070749834/Garden/MyFirstStone.jpg

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:68057}}

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Comments (5)

Mike Larkin
14 years ago
I like to use a kitty litter pan. It sometimes requires that you make an inner mold from 2" styrofoam insulation, but it is very durable and can be used over and over.
ladycraft
14 years ago
They are everywhere once you get your mind trained to look at things as a turfa mold. Course I've had a few things stuck inside a mold too! Check thrift stores and garage sales. I tend to keep going back to big plastic bowls. I have a metal vase thing that I use alot for mushrooms. I line it with plastic and just keep adding leftover turfa to it. Always wet the cured before adding. I don't know if it is necessary but I do. I tried baskets by lining with plastic but it was hard to get them out without cutting the basket. I like your stepping stone but wouldn't want to step on it.
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jamesmaloy
14 years ago
I think your stepping stone would make a great wall plaque.
kiendu
14 years ago
I'm placing an order this week from this seller... I don't think the molds are that expensive for what I'm looking for?

Here is a link that might be useful: Ebay Go Statue molds
ourfamilygarden
14 years ago
What a fun thread :) I've used plant pots, plastic bag (to just make a crazy rock), and have looked around the dollar store as well. I hand't considered a restaurant supply stores, or premade molds. Thanks for the suggestions on that to purple, and for the ebay link from Kiendu.

Also, I've used an Elephant plant leaf :)

Question: There was a star mold I saw in an article. I've viewed comments on the website, and the article, and don't know where to get the mold they showed. Does anyone know?

http://www.bhg.com/gardening/container/plans-ideas/make-concrete-planters/?ordersrc=rdbhg1103890

I'm going to try to take a large coffee filter, and mound it up with sand (as i did for the plant leaf), and see how that works.