How to Make "Marble" Slabs from Concrete -- DIY Tutorial with GFRC

n this video, I explain in detail on how to create a DIY faux marble top from concrete. The video also explains how to mix GFRC concrete, than I've provided in past videos. (GFRC = glass fiber reinforced concrete.) The first half is intended to be more of a tutorial than my past videos. You can use the concrete marbling technique shown to make coffee tables, dining tables, "marble" concrete countertops, and so on.

However, in this video I also wanted to show a smaller project you can make with concrete. The second half of this video shows how I made two DIY 'marble' serving trays. The serving trays use the marble concrete slabs as tops, and simple wooden frames with handles cut out of them. The frames can be made a number of ways using simple woodworking techniques.

BONUS: this video has a SawStop save....

-- CHRIS SALOMONE COLLABORATION VIDEOS --

Ultra-Thin Curved Concrete Bench: https://youtu.be/a3WpKI0YwNY

LEGO River Table: https://youtu.be/pCi8u_fXTfI

White Concrete & Walnut Table: https://youtu.be/dCNTYJj8amM

-- FOLLOW ME --

INSTAGRAM: @modustrialmaker - https://goo.gl/F4UdEs

MODUSTRIAL BLOG: https://www.modustrialmaker.com

-- CONCRETE (GFRC) PRODUCTS --

o Trowel: https://amzn.to/2MG77Pa

o Nitrile Gloves for Concrete work: https://amzn.to/2C3qNId

o GFRC Concrete Mix: https://goo.gl/keUX8H

o 1.5 Bag of AR Glass Fibers: https://goo.gl/t4qpTN

o Cake Fondant Tool for perfect edges: http://amzn.to/2w0JCVx

o Concrete mixer (HUGE help for GFRC): http://amzn.to/2kEnZFi

o Grey concrete pigment:

o concrete sealer: http://amzn.to/2xW7Gth

o Black 100% Silicone Caulk: http://amzn.to/2B64iRY

o Paste Finishing Wax: http://amzn.to/2kF565e

o GFRC Recipes (w/ product links): https://goo.gl/35RvFM

MY HEARING-PROTECTION HEADPHONES (Isotunes): https://goo.gl/gUFswE

NEW VIDEO! Making a "LIVING ART" LED Desk LAMP

In this video I show how to make a Modustrial-designed DIY “Living Art” LED lamp from plywood and an LED matrix.  

The LEDs in the lamp are controlled by an Arduino Nano that creates colorful moving patterns, aka, “living art.”  However, it is also very practical for use as a desk lamp, table lamp, or bedside lamp, since an LED push button allows you to switch from the living-art mode to normal white-light modes, and a red-nightlight mode.   

I made three versions of this lamp – two out of bamboo plywood, and one out of walnut plywood.  You could use any type of plywood you like to build the lamp.

The electronics were designed to be very simple.  It can be built with NO SOLDERING.

To see the finished walnut version of the lamp, FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/modustrialmaker/  || @modustrialmaker

PARTS FOR THE BUILD:

• 16x16 LED Matrix: http://amzn.to/2BgIcsj
• Arduino Nano: (pre-soldered) http://amzn.to/2H0h6bS
• Arduino Nano Screw Terminal Shield: http://amzn.to/2FZwy6y (pre-soldered)
• 5V Momentary LED push button: http://amzn.to/2CLbu2E OR https://goo.gl/Cn1iDy
• JST Connectors: http://amzn.to/2ALve4j
• Semi-transparent white acrylic sheet: https://goo.gl/YV4X81
• Female Power Jack: http://amzn.to/2H3oN0P (no solder) || http://amzn.to/2ziyuEB (solder)
• Lever-nut Wire Connectors: http://amzn.to/2BhMtvM
• 5V power supply: http://amzn.to/2zgiGSJ

ARDUINO NANO CODE FOR THE LAMP: https://github.com/modustrialmaker/Living_Art_LED_Matrix_Lamp

ELECTRONICS TOOLS

• My favorite solder: http://amzn.to/2CNgjIF
• Quality Soldering Iron: http://amzn.to/2CKHoMC
• Blue Soldering Mat: http://amzn.to/2DboPCd

OTHER TOOLS I USE:

• Tap Drill Bit (for threaded holes): http://amzn.to/2Fm7V4A
• RZ dust mask: http://amzn.to/2wM8F1t
• Bosch 18V cordless circular saw: http://amzn.to/2wcDgnN
• Bosch 18V cordless Drill & Impact Driver Kit: http://amzn.to/2BCI753
• Dewalt Table Saw w/ 32” Rip Capacity: http://amzn.to/2yQd2Fy
• Japanese Flush Cut Hand Saw: http://amzn.to/2yRa1Fd
• Dewalt 12” Miter Saw: http://amzn.to/2yQRgS6
• Forstner Bits: http://amzn.to/2Bgv863

New Build Video -- DIY Cantilevered Live-Edge Table w/ White Concrete Base

I created this cantilevered coffee table from a live-edge spalted maple slab and concrete.  The angled concrete post was formed by slicing two sections from a standard 12" concrete form tube with a 15 degree angle, attaching these sections to the live edge slab, and pouring the concrete through the slab to form a solid post base extending through the table top.   To cut the 12” concrete forming tube at a 15 degree angle, I created a 12” miter box from scrap plywood.

I again used a white glass-fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC) concrete mix, and this time, poured in the face coat for the table surface.  For the backer mix, I used plasticizer to make a self-consolidating (SCC) type of GFRC. 

Pre-Blended GFRC Mix: http://www.concretecountertopsupply.com/Item/GFRC_Bag_Mix

AR Glass Fibers: http://www.buddyrhodes.com/alkali-resistant-ar-glass-fiber/

Recipes to make your own GFRC: http://www.concretecountertopsupply.com/index.php?app=cms&ns=display&ref=GFRC_Mix_from_scratch

Other Tools Used in the Build

1.5” Bottom-cleaning router bit: http://amzn.to/2wlNNeE
Cake Fondant Tool for perfect caulk lines: http://amzn.to/2w0JCVx
Diamond Polishing Pads: http://amzn.to/2gmxUkt
Concrete Forming Tube: http://amzn.to/2wlNelc
Japanese Razor Saw:  http://amzn.to/2wPHdQU
18” double edge saw: http://amzn.to/2wfnNDy
Waterlox Finish: http://amzn.to/2wlUgWY
Quality, but reasonably priced, concrete mixer: http://amzn.to/2wcC6bZ
Bosch circular saw: http://amzn.to/2wcDgnN
Dewalt Table Saw (32.5” rip capacity): http://amzn.to/2vH2pTY
Bosch drill and impact driver: http://amzn.to/2wQ2OZk
Dewalt Router: http://amzn.to/2wlFoYI

To see what I'm working on before build videos are posted, follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modustrialmaker/?hl=en

Also, check out my Modustrial Maker website and subscribe to its RSS feed.  I will be updating the website to include photos and details of past projects that were completed before I started documenting my work with video for this channel, as well as supplemental content on current and future projects.

Music: Something Elated by Broke For Free, used under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license (CC BY 3.0 US)

NEW BUILD VIDEO IS UP! DIY White Concrete (GFRC) Table with Live-Edge Maple Inlay

I just posted the build video for my white concrete table with live-edge inlay.  I really like how this project came out -- very simple and modern.  I will be updating my Modustrial Maker website with more details and plans soon.

DIY "Rings of Saturn" LED Pendant Light w/ Music Visualization Mode

I made this LED pendant light from plywood, LED strips, and flexible LED channel.  Since I designed this for my living room, the music syncing had to be incognito.  With this in mind, I used warm white / cool white / amber LED strips, instead of RGB strips.  In solid white mode, the rings give off various shades of white for a sophisticated modern look that hides the wild side when you switch the light to music visualizer mode.

The build is fairly simple.  Each of the two rings is made of a stack of three plywood rings, where the middle ring has a lesser radius to create a groove for the LEDs.  The rings are simple to cut using a circle cutting jig and router.  While I programmed an Arduino Mega to do music visualization based on input from a microphone, you can very easily buy an off-the-shelf music controller for individually controllable LEDs, which is basically plug n’ play for the LED strips.