MOLDING AND CURING ORNAMENTAL CONCRETE A PRACTICAL TREATISE COVERING THE VARIOUS METHODS OF PREPARING THE MOLDS " Author of Albert lis By A. HOUGHTON Concrete From Sand Molds," " Ornamental Concrete OF FOREWORD It is the purpose of the writer to present in this series of books a complete explanation of various successful methods of concrete construction that may be employed by the beginner as well as by the more experienced worker. I shall endeavor to give the details of molds and ideas that are not covered by patents, such as may be easily and cheaply constructed; hence the reader is not compelled to purchase expensive patented molds before putting into practise the many successful types of concrete construction I have exhaustively described in this series. There is no practical value to the reader in explaining a patented system of construction, other than a few words on its merits, as the owners of same are always pleased to give this information; hence in going outside the beaten track of concrete authors and presenting ideas, systems, and molds that are practical, successful in operation, and, above all, easily and simply constructed, I trust that I have merited the sincere gratitude of all fellow workers in the concrete field who seek such information. Yours very truly, 2 A. A. HOUGHTON. the moldi The coa mportant as the pl. color an strength as repair plained. The va the conc this is an 6 PREFACE It is the purpose of the writer to present in this volume the various methods of molding and curing ornamental concrete, step by step as the work would progress. While much has been written upon this matter, it has never yet been presented in a complete and exhaustive form, so that the worker has before him the many successful methods that are employed; hence this volume should be of invaluable worth to the concrete worker who wants this information where it may be easily and quickly consulted. The divisional joints to the molds are fully treated, with a successful method of making plaster molds without the danger to model in cutting after the mold is cast. The coating of molds to prevent sticking is an important subject to every concrete worker, as well as the placing of the concrete to insure an even color and uniform surface, with density and strength to the cast. Removing the molds as well as repairing defects in the cast are also fully explained. The various methods of treating the surface of the concrete after molding have been described; this is an important subject to concrete men, as it |