Homemade Stepping Stone molds. Today we will explain in detail, how to make homemade stepping stone molds. Then cast your pieces in your homemade stepping stone molds. This should be quite an easy project for the average DIYer. Unless you want to make them with complex colours or outrageous surface finishes.
Overview


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When Starting Out With Homemade Stepping Stone Molds
First, when you start to make your homemade stepping stone molds, you will need a level surface to work on. It is best if it’s a bench at a good working height, around 30-32” high is perfect. For the next task, you need to decide how thick you want your stepping stone to be and what sizes you need. I wouldn’t attempt circular ones on your first attempts as making a perfect circular mold takes a lot more skill and different tools.
1, Choose Your Mold Material
Once you have decided on your thickness, it is time to find a suitable material to make the sides of the molds. Wood is fine, and something you can buy off the shelf and your local Home Depot or lumber yard would be perfect. I don’t recommend anything over 2” unless you expect some very heavy traffic of some kind.


2, What Sizes For Your Homemade Stepping Stone Molds
When it comes to sizes for your homemade stepping stone molds. The standard sizes for this sort of product are 16” x 16”, 18” x 18” or 24” x 24”. The 24’s tend to get a bit heavy, so a little harder to install/lay. So perhaps for your first project it would be best to steer clear of them.
Around 1 ½” is perfect for most stepping stones. And you might want to make a stone patio down the road, you could use these homemade stepping stone molds for that project too. So, buy some 1 ½” x 1 ½” material, or something very close to that size. You need 1x 8ft length for each 18” x 18” mold. Next, consider the space on your available level bench/table or another working area. And, there will be other things to buy, so at the end, I will summarize what’s needed.
So now, it’s time to cut your wood for your homemade stepping stone molds, into suitable lengths. For the 18” or the 16” dividing into 4 equal lengths would be fine.
For this, you need screws, a screw gun, a tape measure, and a square. And I would advise the use of a drill and a small pilot drill bit to stop the wood splitting. 2 ¼” screws should work fine. But it does depend on the wood to a certain degree.
3, Assembling Your Homemade Stepping Stone Molds
Assemble your frame(s) as shown in my little sketch. With the little extra lengths, as shown, it’s easier to add something extra if it’s needed to keep your frame square. And it should not hinder you much when pouring the concrete.
Double Check Dimensions.
When making your homemade stepping stone molds, please make sure your 2 diagonal measurements are exactly the same +- 1/32nd (2mm). Use your square to start with, drill your wood in the right spot with your pilot drill, and screw your frames together. Do not bury the heads of the screws too deep, otherwise, it will be a lot harder to take apart later. Now it’s time to think about it and make your final decision. What you would like the surface of your homemade stepping stone molds to look like? Remember, it’s the bottom of your frame mold on the surface that you place it that forms the finished surface.
4, Finished Surface
If you want a smooth surface then laying some thick plastic sheet down first is very helpful. And this lets your stepping stone come off the surface really easily when it’s dry. The negative can be that it is too smooth. If you want a ripple effect then soft thin plastic like the temporary plastic sheeting. What is used for covering furniture while decorating can work well. Put the plastic down first again, place your frames then pull the plastic up here and there making folds and creases. Coating the plastic with a little cooking oil will make them very easy to take apart later. And coat the frame edges too.


Getting Creative With Your Homemade Stepping Stone Molds
If you want to get a little more creative. Buy some bags of decorative stones of different colors, or shells, use your imagination a little and experiment. Don’t use any material that’s too big! Otherwise, the cement will get under it when you pour it. And most of whatever it was you put in there will be lost.
Now your chosen surface is ready. Oiled up and some form of texture in place if you chose that finish. Now put some bricks or similar on the corners, at least 2, to keep the frames down. You’re now ready to mix and pour your concrete.
Now You Are Ready To Pour The Concrete.
For this, you will need a 4 – 1 mix to be on the safe side. It depends on what size of bagged materials are available in your area. If they are 50Lb bags then 1 bag of cement and 4 50Lb bags of sand will make you 250Lbs of mix. If it’s a 100Lb bag of cement, just double it. Getting your mix ratios right is important for strength and uniform color. So buying bagged goods helps with that task.
For Each Piece
16 x 16 x 1 ½ = 32Lbs
18 x 18 x1 ½ = 40Lbs
24 x 24 x1 ½ = 70Lbs
Any final color will be dependent on your local aggregate color, white or grey cement, a good even mix. And any pigments you may decide to put in the mix. If you do use color, weigh it accurately with the electronic kitchen scales and record weight in your phone so you can repeat the mix at anytime.
5, Mixing And Pouring Your Stepping Stones
Mixing your mud up with which ever way you have at your disposal. Not to wet, then place it in the Molds, tap around the edges with a hammer to help remove the air. Screed off the tops of your concrete level with your frames and then run a trowel over them for a final finish. No trowel, then make a slow and better job of your screeding off of to the frames.
You may think it’s not too important to worry about the underside of your homemade steppingstone molds. But level concrete at the back will make it far easier to install them later.
Depending on the time of year and whether you’re inside or out. Let them dry, 24 hrs is normally ok but longer would be better. When it comes to taking your frames apart to get the pieces out. Try to just take the screws out from one corner, the frames will last longer this way.
Tools And Materials Needed.
Materials List.
1 1/2 “ Wood 1 x 8ft for each 18″ mold.
2 ¼” screws 8 per frame minimum.
Plastic sheeting
Small drill bit
Cement
Aggregate
Cooking oil, container & brush.
Tools,
Saw, hammer, square, tape measure, pencil, screw gun and bit, drill, level, shovel, bucket, trowel and a straight edge for a screed
Safety Considerations
As always, and with any project, please observe any manufacturer safety instructions and wear the appropriate safety gear for the phase of the work, eye protection, gloves and footwear.
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Author and Sketch Artist
Rob