Concrete Planter Mold - Intermediate

thingiverse

I've had the idea of casting a concrete planter from a 3D printed mold for quite some time now. After failing with Verbatim ABS filament, I picked up some Zen filament and got started. There are two files: Identical_Mold_Side - This can be printed twice, measuring out to 11cm across. Mold_Spout - This is inserted into the bottom of the mold, scaled down 2% from the original size to account for printer tolerances. I deliberately printed the spout a bit smaller to leave gaps at the bottom that I filled with Prestik, then taped it up. After prepping the piece, I used simple cooking spray on the inside so the concrete wouldn't stick. Keep in mind that I used Kwik-crete, a fast acting concrete filler designed for fitting bolts to walls. I also used duct tape to hold the two sides together, and future iterations should include parts to connect them better. The curing time took around 2 hours in the mold, after which simply pull it apart slowly and let the model dry for another 24-48 hours. It may seem crude and rough, but it actually works like a charm and the spout slides out with ease. I hope you enjoy this creation; I'd love to see any other innovative designs!