While they guys are placing the rocks around the flowerbed (figure A) and adding topsoil (pulverized topsoil is preferred over fill dirt for flowerbeds), the women get the mosaic project in gear by taking out their frustrations on Emily's china collection -- her special collection of pieces that are intended to be part of the mosaic, that is.
Project Overview- Prepare materials.
- Prepare backing board.
- Spread mortar.
- Place mosaic pieces.
- Grout mosaic pieces.
- Frame art pieces.
- Mount art.
Wearing safety glasses, they throw themselves into the task of breaking all the china pieces and ceramic tiles into smaller bits, using hammers (figure B) or just good old tantrum-style dish-throwing. They will need a backing board that is strong enough to stand up to the weather as well as the weight of the mosaic. Dean recommends cement board, which is the same product that would be used indoors for a tile project. He and Emily attach the cement board to a sheet of pressure-treated wood using a generous application of constructions adhesive followed by a half-dozen 1/2" drywall screws for additional reinforcement. Next, a small amount of water is added to the thin-set and a mixing attachment is used to bring it to the consistency of cake frosting. They apply mortar to a small area of the board, spreading it out with a notched trowel to an even layer, and then placing the broken china and ceramic. (Be sure to leave enough room between the pieces that the grout will show when it's finished.)
RESOURCES :
Tools
Porter-Cable Corporation
Website: www.porter-cable.com
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