How to Make Molds for Concrete Pavers
By making your own pavers, you can control the paver's size, shape, and color. Plus, you can save money by making your own pavers instead of purchasing pre-made ones. Just check out the simple five steps below to get started making your molds.
Cut Your Form Pieces
To build a form for a 12x12x12 inch paver, cut a 1/2 inch wood board into four pieces.
Cutting Your Vertical Boards
Cut two of these pieces to be 12 inches long and 2-inches wide. Use a table saw, circular saw, or jigsaw to make the cuts. Be sure to follow all appropriate safety precautions as provided by the tool's manufacturer when using a saw. These wood pieces will be your vertical boards.
Cutting Your Horizontal Boards
The other two pieces, which will be your horizontal pieces, should be 11 1/2 inches long and 2 inches wide. If you would rather your pavers be about 3 inches thick, rather than 2 inches thick, cut all four of your form pieces to be 3 inches wide.
Assemble Your Form Pieces
From your four form pieces that you’ve cut, form a square. When assembled, the square should be 12 inches long on each side. Use masking or duct tape to hold them in place.
Drill Your Pilot Holes and Insert Screws
In the two ends of your 12-inch vertical form boards, drill two parallel pilot holes that are 1/4 inch from the end of the vertical board. This will allow the screws inserted into the pilot holes to be screwed halfway between the two edges of the 11 1/2 inch horizontal boards.
Then, insert the screws. When you’re done, you will have a perfect frame that is open on both the top and bottom.
To Apply Lacquer and Concrete Release
On the mold's inside surface, apply your first coat of fast-drying lacquer. After this coat is dry, apply the second coat. The lacquer will not only help keep moisture from penetrating the mold's inside surface, where it could swell and distort the shape of the mold, but also it will help the concrete paver release once it’s cured.
In addition, you can use a concrete-release product before pouring the wet concrete into the mold, so that the concrete is easier to release from the form.
Pour Concrete Into the Mold
Find a flat, level place on the ground or a piece of plywood where you can lay your form once it's ready to receive the wet concrete. Pour 2-3 inches of sand on the flat spot, and level the sand. Then, place the form on top of the sand, and pour wet concrete into it.
Be sure the concrete is filled to the top of the form and is leveled and smoothed. When the concrete is cured, simply remove the form. Continue this process to make as many pavers as you’d like. If you need smaller pavers for certain parts of your project, carefully cut them with a specialty brick saw.
