Hobby Concrete

One of the newer hobbies that has really taken off in recent years is working with hobby concrete. Homemade concrete items from people who have concrete casting as a hobby are far from informal lumps or gifts that are only to be displayed when the giver comes to visit.

A lot has changed, and today it is possible to cast beautiful bowls, figurines, candlesticks and sculptures in all shapes and sizes. The only limit is your imagination when working in hobby concrete, and if you don't already know how, there are lots of fun hours to be had if you decide to get creative with concrete.

What is hobby concrete?

Hobby concrete is a type of fine-grained concrete - or fine-grained concrete made specifically for hobby use. It hardens to a firm, smooth and perfectly hard surface, just like you'd find in ordinary concrete. The difference is that the powder is quite fine and therefore has a smoother and shinier surface than ordinary concrete.

We stock two different types of concrete for hobby use, so you can explore the many different options each offers you.

Hobby concrete for casting

Hobby casting in concrete means shaping your figures using a silicone mould, which can have all sorts of different sizes and designs. You pour the liquid concrete into the mould and knock out the air bubbles, then let it dry completely and remove it from the mould. You can finish off by sanding with sandpaper if there are any places you're not completely happy with.

Hobby concrete for modelling

The second type of hobby concrete is made for modelling, so it works in the same way as modelling wax. You can make shapes, bowls or birdbaths with it, and it holds its shape on its own as it dries. Just like the moulding compound, you can also polish it to get the finish you want.

DIY concrete - what can you do?

There really is scope to let loose when you decide to try your hand at hobby concrete. If you choose to work with moulding, you can find a wide range of beautiful moulds in shapes ranging from hearts and little Christmas socks to geometric diamonds and the like.

Concrete is beautiful on its own, with the recognisable grey surface, but you can add a little more colour and play if you choose to paint on the concrete or mix in pigment before pouring it into the mould. That way you can make concrete figures in all the colours of the rainbow and mix it with a sprinkling of gold, silver or maybe some neon colours. The look can change dramatically depending on how you choose to work with the finished figure.

If you choose the modellable concrete instead, use your hands to shape the mass into what you want. This allows you to create more organic shapes and give them a more personal and unique touch. It takes a bit more practice, but it also produces some really fun and exciting results if you're not afraid to play and experiment.

Accessories for hobby concrete

When you start working with hobby concrete, it's a good idea to have your tools ready before you start, because once the water and powder are mixed, there's no going back and it starts to harden.

When mixing, you can use a whisk and hand power for small quantities, but if you need to make larger batches, it's a good idea to use a whisk on a drill or something similar to get a smooth, even mix without lumps.

It's also a good idea to cover with plastic, newspaper or similar when working with concrete, as it hardens and is difficult to remove afterwards. Set out the moulds and if necessary find a spoon to pour the mixture into the moulds so you don't have to control the whole bowl at once.

Once you have filled a mould, it is important to clean the bowl, spoon and so on immediately so that the mixture does not stick. You can also choose to use a silicone bowl, where the dry mass releases by itself. Also remember to knock the air out of the mould when it is full.

If you want to paint the finished shapes, it's also a good idea to choose either a paint with a high colour content or a powder paint that can be mixed into a clear varnish that bonds well to the concrete. This gives a smooth, attractive and durable surface with high colour saturation.

Buy your hobby concrete from us

If you've decided to try your hand at hobby concrete, or just need to stock up, you'll find a huge range of everything you could need here with us.

We are constantly striving to expand and improve our range so that it covers as much ground as possible, so that you only have to look in one place when you choose to shop with us. That's why we're also on hand by email and phone to answer your questions or help you with queries if there's something you can't find.

Take a look at the large selection of hobby concrete above and browse the rest of the range to find what else you might need. Order today!