How NOT TO MAKE a cement Planter

I started with a simple premise that ended up with a usable cement planter but I won't be making any more in this manner. I didn't anticipate several major issues in the construction of this thing. I share with you my experience and if you choose to go forward, what to watch out for.

[@conradts3338]

I am usually much more vigilant about things like weight of concrete. I can't believe that I missed that before I started pouring the concrete. The story about your dog is very funny. Thanks for sharing.

[@conradts3338]

Wow. Thanks for the helpful tip.

[@conradts3338]

Thanks for the advice!

[@kUb_kOb]

i have done one slightly smaller, to keep the smaller bucket in place drill 2 lines through the sides of (towards the top) both buckets, then but some sticks or rods or wire through the holes so it makes an x. alternativly pour it upsidedown (that way you have to make extrasure the inner bucket does not lift.

[@kUb_kOb]

side note for bigger buckets to prevent the bottom bulging dig in the big bucket into an inch or two of sand (obivously it should sit in its little hole very snug so it CANT bulge)
Edit: also use proper concrete moldrelease or a layer of cling film (this creates a SUPER smooth surface just mind the wrinkles) (vaseline works well as well ESPEACIALLY in the corners or edges)
PS: to get rid of bubbles, hold the side of a powerdrill to the bucket and let go for a few min

[@marcieharley3978]

I think it looks good. Give it some color and it will be great. Don't give up.

[@conradts3338]

Thanks for the compliment. I will use it. Truly a difficult project.

[@marcieharley3978]

Dont use an aggregate. Put sand in your inside mold. When you turn it over use hot water to release your pot from the cement. Also, use Styrofoam pieces for your footing instead of pvc.

[@conradts3338]

Thanks. Yes. I surely need some modifications.

[@seanseoltoir]

The weight that you need to put in the inner container is the same as the weight of the concrete that it displaces. That is easy enough to calculate by taking measurements on the inner container... It's basically a truncated cone and there is a formula for it... That will give you the volume of the truncated cone and multiplying that by the density of wet concrete (about 156 lbs/cu-ft) will give you the weight that needs to be in the inner container... Even though you put bricks in the inner container, there was still a lot of air space in there... You could have added pea gravel and water to fill out the inner container...
I used to have a dog that was always turning over or destroying his water bowl... I would try new ideas to prevent it and he would be able to overcome them... I refused to be outsmarted by a damn dog, so I built a water container out of concrete... It was a hollow cube shape and also ended up around 200 lbs... I had won the battle and he was not able to knock it over or destroy it... And later I realized how difficult it is to move a cube of concrete by hand... Cubes don't really roll that well... :(

[@paultant6741]

If you want to make feet it doesn't have to be part of the planter they can be separate. You can use throw away plastic cups and fill them with mortar to the height that you want and break away the plastic. Or fill a ice cube tray with mortar and tip them out and you got loads of feet

[@Sparkey]

Try doing upside down, cut bottom off big one to fill.

[@conradts3338]

Thanks for your suggestion.

[@conradts3338]

Thanks for the tips. I just thought this would be a really easy project which proved false. Next time will be better.