Home Made Stones

Designed and made by Donald St-Gelais, Sept-Iles, Canada

Hello George,

Your will find some pictures of my own production of stones. They are not really "Anker" but they are compatible and they give a new look to modern construction. Round tower will offer new possibility too.

During many year, it was a disappointment for me to look in the CVA stones catalog and to see so much stones unavailable. And also to be unable to find the complete procedure to mold stones. After 2 years, patience, all a lot of search on the internet, I am happy to show you the result.

It’s only a “test” construction for the new stones. Some details:

- The house is build with roof stones 208 (Roof 1:1)

- The two small house in the front with roof stones 225 (Roof 2:1), and 236 (Roof 4:3)

- The conical roof is at the Anker Standard, for round tower of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8 diameter. Height of each level of stones is of 18.75 mm.

- The conical roof was the most difficult part. Since they were OK, the wall, round stones, easy part, are going to be ready soon. Possibly in September. The will include arches and all connections between round tower and standard wall, more than 140 new stones. Easy part because they will be made by an industrial CNC and the mold will be done after.

Some statistic about theses stones:
    - The detail of the slate shingle roofs are from an art mold.
    - From them, I have molded and glued each original from theses details and original Anker stones, to keep the scale.
    - The sets include all connection between roof 2:1 and roof 4:3. (Angle, etc....). See the picture.
    - Plaster used: Excalibur
    - Pigment for color: Ferrous oxide. And synthetic blue.
    - Total cost of production: about $ 3.00 / pound. I think between $ 2.50 and $ 3.00.
    - Production about 10 pounds / hrs- Silicone used: Smooth on, platinum form 15A to 40 A.
    - Precision: about 0.1 to 0.2 mm for each stones. Even for stones of 100 mm, the difference is less than 0.2 mm.
    - The quality of original stones from the factory are so high, that I think a vibrator and a vacuum chamber is a must. With a lot of practice, the look of your stones will follow your experience.

My present production includes:
    - Custom made stones for special roof. All stones with and without slate shingle
    - All stones of the American Bungalow Sets.
    - All stones of the fortress sets, except two round stones, they will be ready in September.
    - All stones from 366 to 402, and 526 to 535.
    - All stones of the dinosaur sets, in any color.

For the moment, I don’t have any time to make them available for CVA members. I have five children from 5 years to 12 years. And I don’t see the end. When you have the possibility to mold any stones, your imagination is your only limit..... If you begin to make your own and with patience, you will have good result.

I hope this information will help anybody that will be interested in its own production!

Donald

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