concrete bowls

Hey guys , Im getting ready to start pouring bowls for my yard , just wanted to see if anyone had plans on how to make them . I know how to make them but just want to see everyone elses plans for the bowls thanks.

 

plywood for the mold (5 pieces) cut to size and nail together
line the interior surface w/ wax paper (or other mold release such as wax)
mix crete
pour crete into mold, fill about 2/3rd's full
use a stainless steel mixing bowl of appropriate size, waxed on the backside
w/ a left to right steering motion, work the bowl down into the crete until it is level w/ the top of your mold
let set overnight
remove bowl and take apart plywood mold

viola! let it set a few more days to cure and you are in business

 

so you make yours square?

 

yeah, its pretty easy and they are less lilely to get knocked around than a round one.

if you want round- simply substitue a 5 gallon plastic bucket for the mold.
cut down to size, wax inside instead of wax paper

 

Guys watch using concrete bowls. it has some chemical in it that Can hurt your dogs. I used to use them also but My dogs started getting sick and looking very poor The vet told me they were the problem. I tosed them my dogs came right back. I know alot of guys use them and say they have no problem but they also have dogs that drink from frog ponds. Do what you do but if your dogs start looking poor toss them. J

 

These are good plans, but leave the bowl in..Stainless steel bowls are easy to clean, and you wont run into any problems like the one TripleJ spoke about..

 

watch there teeth too if u have a aggressive eater....lost a couple choppers from concrete bowls....needless to say. there gone and replaced....

 

the only problem with that is it would cost $10 more per bowl and that would get real expensive as fare as concrete making them sick thanks for the heads up but i have been using them for 9 years now and have had no problem. Thanks for all the great suggestions so fare.

 

here you will find how you can make them!

http://gamedogs.org/bowls/

 

Go to Tractor supply or co-op, and get you a salt block holder for livestock.

One like this:



It will cost about $4-$5

Flip it upside down, and coat it with "PAM" or corn oil. Then fill it up with fresh concrete. Be sure to tamp and rod concrete to get large air voids out. Let set a day or two, and flip over and form(saltblock holder) should slide off.

I have made 100+ bowls with one mold. Its easier to get a few and make 3 or 4 at a time.

Finished product.





Hope this helps.

I also recommend "wet curing" for a week to keep from cracking later on. Rapid moisture loss during curing of concrete will cause shrinkage cracking, which will cause stress crack and fracture.

Just keep it wet for a week or so, and it will be much more durable.

 

That's the best one yet Stillwater. A lot easier. I have only one that uses concrete cause he is such a goof. He will dig in a water bowl and turn it over. I paid 10. bucks for it.

 

The bowls I make end up around 70-80 lbs depending on how dry concrete is mixed. Around a 4" slump is optimum for concrete consistancy.

 

We have about 4 Stillwater concrete bowls. They are great!

 

love the way they turned out . you the man stillwater.Ive been calling you for several months but can never get a hold of you . I will be doing some buissines with you shortly , got a nice order to put in, you come highly recomended.I will be using your idea for the bowls Thanks for the info

 

can you use the concrete bowls for water ???