There is an interesting technique on how to make stones from cardboard. Yes, yes, you heard right, namely stones from cardboard! For their manufacture, we need cardboard, but it should not be ordinary, but only corrugated. And pick a beige color. Such cardboard is usually used in the manufacture of boxes.
We won’t be able to find so much cardboard at home, which means we’ll go to the nearest waste paper collection point, where we get the necessary amount of corrugated cardboard we need. In addition to cardboard, we will also need glue. For our purpose, only PVA glue is suitable.
Step 1
The very first thing that we need to do is to remove all the remnants of adhesive tape and stickers that have remained on the cardboard since the time this cardboard was used as boxes.
Step 2
Then we need to turn the cardboard we took into small crumbs. This is a very difficult task. The procedure will take a lot of time, because this work needs to be done only manually. Then we fill the shredded cardboard with water. For this, a large container such as a barrel will be needed and we will withstand it for a couple of days. This is necessary so that the cardboard is very soft.
Step 3
To speed up this process, it is advisable to heat the water, but this is only if there is an opportunity for this procedure. When we soak the cardboard, it is necessary to stir from time to time, the consistency that forms with us with the help of a stick. This is done so that the cardboard is very well soaked and softened and crushed even more. Indeed, in the case when air remains inside the corrugated part, the cardboard base will not be able to perfectly soak and will remain too stiff.
Step 4
After the cardboard is completely dehydrated, it is necessary to carefully squeeze out the excess moisture. Then take another container and dilute the glue in it. Since PVA glue has a very thick consistency, it must be diluted with a small amount of water. Now the pulp from the cardboard needs to be mixed with glue, very carefully while mixing it with your hands. It should be reminiscent of how we knead the dough.
Step 5
Having completed the kneading procedure, we proceed directly to the process of manufacturing the stone we conceived.In order to make the pebbles made by us lighter in weight and save cardboard during operation, which again makes it possible to increase the amount of stone, we leave the inside of the stone hollow. To do this, take dry cardboard and crumple it. And in order for the resulting lump to hold its shape, it is necessary to wrap it with tape from paper on an adhesive basis.
Step 6
The resulting cardboard lump begins to smear with pulp from the cardboard soaked and mixed with glue. Do not forget that the inner cardboard lump must be very dense, this is necessary so that in the process of drying, when the pulp begins to harden, the cardboard lump has not changed its original shape.
Porridge from a mixture of soaked cardboard with glue should be applied in layers that will correspond to one centimeter in thickness. Performing these actions, you must not forget to ram the mixture very well with your palms.
Step 7
Well, the process of making stones from a cardboard adhesive mixture is over. Now you need to dry them. This process is carried out only in a sufficiently dry room, the temperature of which should correspond to room temperature. In the case when drying is done in the sun, cracks on the surface of the stones cannot be avoided.
It will take about two weeks and the stones from the cardboard-glue mixture will completely dry. Now you need to make the surface of the stones smooth, and simply polish them.
We use a grinding machine for this procedure, or a drill with a nozzle, which is designed specifically for this.
Step 8
Initially, you need to use rough sandpaper to process the surface, and finish the process by conducting fine sandpaper on the surface of the stones. During this operation, the stones become smooth. Since the stones are designed so that the countertop of our future table can rest on them calmly, you must not forget to make one side of the stones perfectly flat and smooth. This is necessary so that the table cover lies on them in a horizontal position. Be sure to use a respirator. This is necessary in order to protect yourself from dust, which will be very much.
In order for the stones to not be able to absorb moisture, it is necessary to treat them with a primer. This is PVA, which is diluted with plain water, or with a primer, it is always used in construction work.
Well, here you have learned how to make stones from a cardboard-glue mixture, and simply - stones from cardboard. Now it’s just a little bit left. You just need to get the countertop. Glass is ideal.
It is best to use tempered glass worktops for just such tables. Firstly, it is safe, because if it suddenly breaks, it will crumble into a huge number of very small pieces. True, it is very difficult to get just such a glass, and one can even say that it is almost impossible. Therefore, use the most ordinary glass, the only thing to remember is that its thickness should not be less than ten millimeters. And, despite the fact that the indicated thickness of our glass can withstand the weight of an adult, you still need to handle it very, very carefully.