Great Fountain wish I was that creative. would love to have on on my front porch by the door since you said it was very quiet. did you use like the quick crete sutff or make real cement?

thanks Jason

Hi Jason,

I used four 80 lb. bags of crack resistant quickcrete. So all three pieces have to be moved and assembled in place. Don't have to worry about this one in high winds. I put a 300 GPH pump in it. In the picture you can see the water at the top of the ball. The recess around the ball is 2" deep and has the flange and rocks in it. Since the water runs down the sides of the pillar it is very quiet and has no splashing sound which is a feature of this design glad you like it.

McDuff

That is beautiful, McDuff, and another one for our Inspiration Album. I'd love to "kidnap" you, LOL, I am sure your wife would pay any ransom to get you back!! Hmmm, one of your fountains comes to mind.....

hugs, Karen

AWESOME fountain, McDuff...love it! And I love the copper finish you gave it...oh boy, your dw must love you! Keep up the good work...a piece of art!

My dh made a bubbly ball fountain for me a couple yrs. ago...I'll attach the link...poured concret in a basketball in a bucket of sand...it's still going strong! Jeanne S.

Here is a link that might be useful: Bubbly Fountain

VERY nice fountain! You're very talented McDuff. I always love seeing what you've been up to!

Great job, McDuff and thank you for instructions!
Where can i buy colored crack resistant concrete?

Crack Resistant concrete can be found at Lowes, Home Depot or most lumber yards. The color is a pigment that comes in a small bottle. One bottle per 80 Lb. bag of concrete. Several colors to choose from.

McDuff

Boy, that turned out great! It looks very professional. I like the terra cotta color with the black stones. Very polished looking. It goes well with the stained wood of your deck/porch too. Now I am looking forward to your next water feature! Tell your wife we are all green with envy!

Jeanne, I like your basketball fountain too. I have checked out the Hypertufa forum here and it is amazing what folks do with concrete there. I can't wait to have a yard where I can try out some concrete pieces. I would probably turn into someone like James Tellen who created a bunch of concrete sculptures in his yard. Here is a picture I took there with my cell phone.

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The link below is to the Kohler Foundation (the toilet people) web site with information about this folk art site.

Here is a link that might be useful: James Tellen Woodland Sculpture Garden

Holy Schmoly! I've seen those kinds of fountains go for several hundred dollars!
You surely know your way around a bag of concrete.

Please, please take step-by-step pictures for us next time (I catch on faster if I can see what you're describing). I'd love to try my hand at some concrete castings. For a long time, I've thought about attempting one of those spheres. Maybe I'll try jeannespines' ball-in-a-bucket-of-sand method. It doesn't even have to bubble. It just has to sit there so I can say, "I made that all by myself" and I'd be happy.

That is beautiful! You did a wonderful professional job on that. I bet your wife is thrilled!

Sure I can post a link for the complete instructions. This fountain came from a magazine and I believe there are instructions on their website. I will also add a couple of tips for some things I would do different if I were to make one again. Let met see if I can find the information for everyone.

McDuff

Our thanks in advance, McDuff, for the link and your add'l notes. I want to know what sort of reservoir you used. Also wonder what 'finish' options are available for concrete used outside.

Rosie, in Sugar Hill, GA

This is the only one of the three yard fountains I am making that is not my design but I really liked it. The reservoir is also cast concrete. I used Quikrete concrete color in "Buff" it can be purchased in Buff, Red,Brown,Charcoal, and Tera Cotta.

Hints: When making the mold for the ball, the ball will want to keep moving up and out of the flower pot so hold it down in there tight when you tamp the drywall compound around it to get air bubbles out.

I would also make full corner boards for the pillar mold and clamp them in place. I found that the weight of the concrete will want to push the mold apart. I had to rush to clamp boards on mine after I filled it with concrete.

I found it best to cut the foam board on a band saw. You will get kick back on a table saw and it is difficult with a circular saw.

I hope others make this fountain it is really nice. It is a challenge the first time around. It would be a lot easier making one again after going through it the first time.

Enjoy...McDuff

Here is a link that might be useful: Full fountain instructions

Wow! That is just great!
What's next?