Operation Driveway pt. 3 – Plaster Cast Proof of Concepts

The next stage of the lizard paver process was to make some plaster proofs. I want to make an additional mold to double how fast I can make bricks. However, before I waste a bunch of concrete and mold mix, I need to make sure that the mold is producing “working” bricks. By “working” I mean that the bricks successfully interlock.

I bought a couple bags of plaster of paris and mixed a water to plaster ratio of 1:1.5. Due to the thickness and perhaps just lack of strength in the plaster, the limbs broke off when I pulled them out of the mold.  This actually worked to my advantage a bit since I was able to test how well the pieces interlocked – albeit with broken pieces.

Throughout this process, I had been dumping bags of gravel on the yard. I finally hit the point where I had enough gravel down to drive my truck into the garage. That was a pretty exciting moment actually.

Anywho, I have to take off for the weekend for a family reunion, so I will let the next brick harden longer. Now I just need about 10 more. God I hope the concrete hardens faster than the plaster…