Stone Arch Bridge

gregh

the eels

Oh, and in the UK building regs require that they are only  used above DPC level, put in the ground unprotected they can split when soaked up water freezes.

Just for the fun of it I soaked a couple of pieces of Hebel (=Thermalite?) in water for 3 hours then put them in the freezer overnight.  No effect.

Hi, what worried me was spalling - the blocks will soak up water and when it freezes the water expands (at the very least pushing off a thin layer which has been painted). This has happened on my rendering. I tried diluted PVA but after this winter I have ended up with large areas of paintwork flaking off - complete with a micro thin layer of render! For modelling, paint is not the answer if you have an exposed location. I haven't given up on the idea though and will attempt to google to find someone who sells them (maybe B&Q?) I'm off to Galway next month for a check-up so you never know.
May I also say that I am very impressed with everybody's modelling in this medium.
Mick

steinman


My bridge used four bricks and cost under a tenner in total, its been out for a couple of winters now and seem OK,
 

That's a really nice bridge. Set off by the plastic grass too.  Does that stuff last outdoors OK?

I decided to add a parapet. I hope the photos are self explanatory.

Attached Image(s)

Like it Ade - gives a new slant on joinery tools! I googled Celcon and came up with B&Q but their Irish web site takes you straight to the UK one. However, Quinn (who make cement, glass, insulation, roof tiles (i got some shipped when I took my roof off), have health insurance - took over from BUPA over here - and car insurance) also make their own blocks called Quinlite. So its just a matter of finding some!
Mick

adeshers


I decided to add a parapet.

Looks great. It's not till you've added it that you realise that it was crying out for the addition to finish it off.
 
BTW, it seems that your thermalite blocks have great gouged straight lines 'diagonally' across them (no not your stone carving!). Is that how they are made?

trammayo


Like it Ade - gives a new slant on joinery tools! I googled Celcon and came up with B&Q but their Irish web site takes you straight to the UK one. However, Quinn (who make cement, glass, insulation, roof tiles (i got some shipped when I took my roof off), have health insurance - took over from BUPA over here - and car insurance) also make their own blocks called Quinlite. So its just a matter of finding some!
Mick

Keep trying Mick - they're a doddle to work with. The more I play work with them the more I like them. They cut easier than wood and the best bit is that it's all so quick.

gregh

BTW, it seems that your thermalite blocks have great gouged straight lines 'diagonally' across them (no not your stone carving!). Is that how they are made?

The diagonal lines are indeed part of the manufacturing process. I think they give the finished face a certain texture which could be utilised if you were trying to create a Welsh / Slate feel. possibly?
The carved stonework seems to take the eye away from them 'in the flesh' and I prefer to 'show' that face rather than the 'cut' face (if you know what I mean).

I forgot to mention that once I had chiselled out the sections on the parapet I used a 'mouse' type sander to roughly flatten the surface that became the new trackbed - it took about 5 minutes!)

WISH they had that product in the USA, but I have not heard or seen of it except from you folk over the pond east and west.

Jerry Barnes


WISH they had that product in the USA, but I have not heard or seen of it except from you folk over the pond east and west.

It is manufactured in Texas and Georgia.  see these websites to start ....
http://www.toolbase.org/Technology-Inventory/Foundations/autoclaved-aerated-concrete
http://www.aacpa.org/directory/index.htm
 
BUt no mention of retailers in Nebraska!