How To Make Faux Rocks

In this instructible, I present my first attempt at making a faux rock. I tend to do things the hard way, but also consider everything a learning experience, an experiment, if you will. I have since learned there are easier methods to follow, but again, this is my first attempt. My eventual goal: landscape my front yard (southern CA) so that I don't have to water it ever again. Eventually, I will be able to build very large boulders using the techniques, and improvements I have learned, and save a ton of money on the rocks. Lets proceed:

Step 1 Gather necessary materials and tools.

To make this rock, I started with a small corrugated cardboard box. I use lots of cardboard, so have a good supply on hand as well. Old newspapers for filler, some chicken wire, and of course cement/concrete tools such as spreaders, trowels, buckets, access to water, cement, sand and or mortar mix, etc.

Comments

[spartancaver]

http://www.artificialrockoutlet.com/Pump-Cover-Artificial-Rocks/20-1Good idea on the form. It is a nice effect in the paint finish. We used a similar techinque when we built the tree in the movie Pet Sematary 2. (Yes that is the spelling). We also used chicken wire but over a steel and plywood frame that we could take apart and move. I will suggest "molding" different features by twisting the wire, or bunching it up. Remember, you can not "mold" details, but more broad features like cracks, and more miss-shapen rocks. Also, I will suggest playing with flyash in the mix to reduce the weight. (Available at concret supply stores). And during the finishing stages, throw some silver or gold "Glitter" at the rock for the "fleck" of mica often found in natural stone. Not a whole lot, just as if you are using a salt shaker of glitter to sprinkle a few pieces on. You should be quite pleased with the results. I have a fake tree stump made the same way that covers my well pump to keep it from freezing. They sell similar fiberglass rocks to cover well pumps at $100+ see the styles with google for artificalrocksoutlet.com

[wannabeinventor]

Good job! It looks incredibly realistic! It would make a great hide-a-key stone among other, real, rocks. Thanks again, WI.

@spartancaver: Do you have your tree stump on the site? That would be a great project for me to do for my grandmother's well. Thanks to you as well.

[Creativeman]

Thanks for the input...will consider it all. I know the possibilities are endless...so many ideas, so little time! Cman

[mmtnmama]

So happy to find this. Moved from Calif. mountaintop w/tons of rocks, to JAX FL.where there are NO rocks, only sand. Have been obsessing how to add rocks to landscape. TY bunches!!!

[Creativeman]

You are welcome! Condolences on your move from Ca. to Fla.....

[sky1410280]

I would like to make a swing out of a 2.5 to 3" vine that will be safe for the kids and adults to swing on by hanging it from my pecan tree. HOW DO I DO THIS AND MAKE THE VINE SAFE.

[handprints]

Totally awesome! How thick is the concrete and is the rock strong enough to sit on? Say 200lbs?

[HardwareMa.am]

Creating large rocks in the area I would like one is what appeals to me. The weight is prohibitive otherwise. I believe that is what makes buying rocks expensive. It's not the actual rock you pay for but the transportation and the placement. I am going to try to create a form and then use strips of cast off screening material dipped in portland cement to create a sort of paper mache technique to form the first layer of rock and then trowl and press on additional concrete with powdered pigment to create the final look. I'll take picture and let you know if what I'm thinking will work. I love the moss idea. There is a place in my garden that I was thinking of placing to large rocks side by side and plant in the ditch between them, but this might be more fun.

[Creativeman]

This is a lot of fun. People can't believe that you made them! Hope your idea works, I have since discovered many tips and hints by going to you tube, and the net in general...please post your results as an instructable, maybe you are on to something REALLY BIG! My next challenge in this area is to make small rocks with the smooth finish of granite....still working on that one. any ideas? Thanks for the comment.

[HardwareMa.am]

Thanks for your comment and your encouragement. I will take plenty of pictures and post the results as an instructable. I'll be sure to let you know....I ordered the powdered pigment online as I couldn't find what I wanted anywhere close by so I'm waiting on it to finish the project but can start the actual project soon. Trying to finish some other projects first. Unfortunately, or fortunately depending on how you think of it, my mind comes up with more projects than my time and energy can handle so I have to consentrate on finishing and not just starting..........

[botronics]

Can you use plaster of paris instead of cement? Will it hold up to the elements? I want to use it to make a fake rock for geocaching.

[goatgirly]

I don't understand how this is cheaper than using a real rock.

[quoc_cooc]

Have you ever pay for real rock? I'm working on this faux rock now, and stop paying $300-$550/ton on rock. Real rock is heavy those. hundreds lbs compare to 20-50lbs for the faux rock with the side about  1-2 cft.
For the cost of making faux rock ($0 carton boxes + $0 old news paper + $6/ 50lbs premix mortar from home depot + $4 paint and other) $10 you have about 2 cuft of rock. Save money and save your BACK.

[justafew]

fake rocks are great for geocaching...they make great "right in front of you" hiding places and this method uses materials that are close at hand. Thanks, good Instructable

[Lor]

have you ever tried to find a real rock this big? and then tried to transport it? plus, difficult to find the beautiful rocks when you need them.

[ArleaNicole]

Yeah and you can also use this for making prop rocks for plays.

[The Wapusk]

For a production of The Trojan Women for Theatre @ York, this is the process we used to build 3 dozen rocks/boulders as well as a 4x4x6 altar. The only difference I can see is that we started with a 4x6x8 block of blue insulation and just chunked it out into the pieces we needed. We couldn't use paper mache for our application as the director wanted "the sound of rocks rolling across the floor." and needed to be stood on... so no hollow forms for us. I say: Nice job! Even if it may come off as a little self serving. ;)

[The Wapusk]

(removed by author or community request)

[The Wapusk]

P.S. One of mine (pilfered from the production at the closing party) has been outside in southwestern Ontario weather for about 6 years now, still going strong! Enjoy your 'rock' for years to come!

[oppie]

We always used paper mache for prop rocks. Strips of newspaper soaked in a flour water mix and laid up on a form. When dried, paint as required. MUCH lighter and less susceptible to damage (by clumsy stagehands during black-outs) than a mortar veneer.

[Lor]

indeed, ArleaNicole! especially that!

[Gonazar]

This is a good instructable on making big fake rocks, this is particularly useful for the fact that it doesn't weigh nearly as much. light rocks are good rocks, especially when lifting.

[Weissensteinburg]

I was curious about how much buying real rocks costs after seeing this instructable and found this:

http://richstine.stores.yahoo.net/nalast.html

No clue how representative that is of most rocks, but it's pretty expensive.

[Pkranger88]

Real rock is expensive to buy. A small boulder can cost $500 because of the extraction, cleaning and shipping cost. If you have access to rocks on your property or a land owner is willing to let you remove rock, it's cheap, otherwise you have to buy it. $$$ A faux rock is simple forms and concrete/mortar mix. I can build that same boulder for less than $50 in materials. The only thing is, I have to make it.

[ShadowHawk]

Not sure about that $500 cost... My SO owns a landscape company - and regularly buys boulders from stone/gravel supply companies - and pays appx. $15-20 for a 200-250lb boulder (commonly known as a 2-man boulder - because it takes 2 people to move it into place on the landscape site) This is a great instructable, though - for making your own landscape boulders! (and yes - GeoCache camoflauge as well).

[Pkranger88]

Prices for boulders depend on the type of stone, shape and size. In addition, a landscape company should get a "contractor" price which can be much less than what the general public will pay. In addition, a boulder directly from a stone/gravel supply company will be less expensive than what a person would pay from a "landscape supply" store. I live in Kansas. If you want anything other than limestone or sandstone, get out your wallet, it's gonna cost ya. Me, I have a tractor with a loader, family and friends with ranch land and a buddy with a gooseneck flatbed trailer. If I want real rock, I'll go get it.

[ShadowHawk]

Point made - and you're very correct on reseller pricing vs. public pricing on rocks. In Tyler - they get in either the iron-ore rock, or for variety - the Oklahoma mossy boulders. Have a great summer!

[YoungJae]

you can't just find one on the ground? isn't that free?

[Pkranger88]

It's free if you own the property or the owner is willing to give it to you. Most larger stones are found in areas protected as National Parks, Forests or public land, so taking a stone is actually theft and/or destruction of government property, etc.

[vatosupreme]

I like this instructable, It is a good technique for making movie sets, model Railroads, etc. <br/><br/>In some areas you can get permits to take rocks from public land and it is pretty cheap. For example. <br/><a rel="nofollow" href="http://geology.utah.gov/surveynotes/gladasked/gladscaperock2.htm">http://geology.utah.gov/surveynotes/gladasked/gladscaperock2.htm</a><br/>You may want to check with your state's DNR.<br/><br/>

[hominid]

You save on the osteopath bills.

[Lor]

ha ha, well said, hominid. perhaps even the funeral expenses.

[wenpherd]

well say you wanted a rock that wiaghed like half a ton that wud cost a lot

[Pkranger88]

A 1000 pound boulder is about 6-7 cubic feet. That's 2 foot by 3 foot by 1 foot rock. Not terribly large. A local shop where I live, charges $.22 - $.26 per pound for boulders but that depends on the type, etc. Do the math, that small boulder you're asking about costs around $250. So to get a larger one...

[quoc_cooc]

I got the same problem with you. I had to pay $350-$550/ton on Rock and switch to faux rock now.

[Pkranger88]

I'll probably be making some faux rocks this spring.  I've thought about building a whole outdoor climbing wall this way or even building a concreted side to my pond using faux rocks.  Good luck.

[wenpherd]

and this wud be darn lot easyer to move

[orphicdragon]

Uhm rocks are expensive, especially the pretty landscaping types. They can run upwards of 6$ a pound depending on what type of rock and where you are.

[Gilo]

well, at least you can shape the rock the way you want to.

[razarizvi]

Cant wait to build by own rocks with your tutorial. Couple of questions:
1. Is the cardboard box hollow or do you fill that tightly with newspapers, plastic,e tc?
2. Are there color pigments that I can add directly to the mortar mix? Would that be okay?
3. Are there random rock shaped foam pieces available out there? I actually have foam mannequin heads and that may work well for smaller rocks. 

thx, Raza