--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "Sir Balthazar"
wrote:
> --- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "sandymess"
>> In case this was a real question:
>
> If you are carving rock, I would suggest Feather Rock, which is a
> volcanic "glassy" and porous material available in garden supply
> stores. You might have seen small fountains made of it. Pumice may
> work as well, but I have never used it.
>
Another suggested rock is sold around here as travertine. I buy mine
at the Oceano Nursery
1311 Paso Robles St.
Oceano, CA 93445
Phone 805.489.4456

I got two rocks for $5.25 (0.35 per pound)

Sorry if my first post on this thread sounded grumpy. I had issues
but not with the author of the post who asked about jack hammers.

Coping,
Sir B

How well does the vermiculite and plaster hold up to the elements? Will it take sitting in water for any length of time?

Interested- Debean -MD

Sir Balthazar wrote:
--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, "sandymess"
wrote:
>
> Hey Sir B.
> Are you going to give instructions on how to carve out a real rock?
> Do we need to bring a jack hammer along? LOL
>

In case this was a real question:

If you are carving rock, I would suggest Feather Rock, which is a
volcanic "glassy" and porous material available in garden supply
stores. You might have seen small fountains made of it. Pumice may
work as well, but I have never used it.

I used a cordless drill with a concrete bit in it to do most of my
carving.

Take a look at the article linked here http://www.cichlid-
forum.com/articles/diy_featherrock.php

Gives a pretty good idea of the safety precautions you should take,
as well: gloves, glasses, and I use a dust mask. Be safe doing this.

You may make your own "rocks" using oven-clay or a mixture of
vermiculite and plaster. In any case, you want a cavity that will
hold your letterbox.

It is an elegant solution to some very hard problems of how to hide
something in plain sight. Old, dirty rocks are almost never hefted.
And if folks expect to see a rock, they generally do see a rock.

I may give a demo on rock carving and making at our October 4th San
Luis Obispo CA get-together.

Guess my question was wasted on this crowd; hope my answer is not,
Sir Balthazar


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--- In letterbox-usa@yahoogroups.com, Deb King wrote:
> How well does the vermiculite and plaster hold up to the elements?
Will it take sitting in water for any length of time?
>
> Interested- Debean -MD

I would guess, because we do not get rain here from March till late
October, that the boxes will dissolve eventually. I have sprayed them
with something akin to matte finish Krylon, top and bottom. I put
either film cannisters or Tupper-type-ware inside them.

If they are sitting in water, I would advise either using oven-
hardening clay or go ahead and carve out some travertine or feather
stone.

Another downside of the plaster rocks is they are very lightweight.
If you have a windy and exposed spot, I would not use them there. One
of mine hides under a bush, one is jammed right between a tombstone
and a wall.

Hope this helps. Let me know what you find out.

A-rocking and/or a-rolling,
Sir B