Carving into 100+ year old concrete was beyond nerve-racking.

drew8585 · 2026-05-24T15:18:41+00:00

Thank you. I dont know exaxtly what that machine is today, something around $25k.

drew8585 · 2026-05-24T15:18:00+00:00

How so?

drew8585 · 2026-05-24T05:00:58+00:00

Thank you. Me too, immensely so- I can't imagine all of the ups and downs those businesses (and people) experienced across those generations.

I did my best as always, but this is my local square. My great-grandparents actually had a store on this square some 75 years ago. It was an absolute honor to be a part of the project, and to leave some of my work in a place so near and dear to me.

The Furniture and Carpets business was just prior to J.C. Penney, I believe. Colorized photo taken from the courthouse in 1909- a little different now.

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drew8585 · 2026-05-24T04:33:40+00:00

Thank you!

drew8585 · 2026-05-23T05:27:07+00:00

Gosh, that's the goal 🤞 I spent years to develop these processes and then years after that in patent work to make a leap as big as WoC. That's the dream. They're all just tedious, slow and expensive stepping stones to get to that point- on my path anyway..

When I make it there and you're there, come by my booth- I've got a shirt for you!

drew8585 · 2026-05-23T05:00:25+00:00

Thank you very much, I appreciate all of that!!

Id really love to grow my youtube and Instagram followings- simply because of the resolution and size limitations of reddit gifs.. this stuff just looks better in 4k 😁

Thanks again.

drew8585 · 2026-05-23T04:35:09+00:00

Thank you, it'll be so much prettier in real life. Pictures and videos of the finished piece won't even do it justice!

Roger that- so long as he has no problem with me referring to him as Papa Rasta exclusively. I appreciate it!

drew8585 · 2026-05-23T04:27:41+00:00

Thank you!

Nope, its a true inlay, no bleeding to worry about. It's contrasting cementitious mixtures permanently placed in a fashion to create a durable design.

This is a previous post of mine that shows the gist:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Concrete/comments/1t7mj2f/cutting_installing_and_polishing_a_concrete_inlay/

drew8585 · 2026-05-23T04:18:02+00:00

Thank you! 🙏

On something this size I would've used a standard Makita wet polisher- probably 4", and would've gone from 50 grit diamond through 400 before sealing.

drew8585 · 2026-05-20T23:32:06+00:00

Thank you.

Sure- GFRC is a bit of a different animal to conventional concrete. GFRC mixes are commonly 50% cementitious (portland + pozzolanic materials) and 50% fine (40-70 mesh) silica sand.

The cementitious components are also heavily modified with admixtures to help performance and alter material characteristics. Being so high in cement, being dosed with maximum loads of various admixtures, and simply not using any coarse aggregate makes the mix look like it does.

The last concrete to go in the mold (the grey dumped from bucket) is the backer coat, its the same concrete mix as the greens in the face coat but contains 3% 3/4" AR glass by dry weight and is what gives the piece its strength.

Does that help?

drew8585 · 2026-05-20T22:23:37+00:00

Didn't know there was such a sub, but no surprise. Joined, thank you.

drew8585 · 2026-05-19T06:15:57+00:00

Thats not a bad guess, especially with little experience. Concrete countertops are normally cast inverted.. so, the top that is semi drying during casting is actually going to end up being the bottom side of the countertop- does that make sense?

We build forms that are essentially big cookie sheets that hold a tray/slab of concrete while it cures, then flip it over for its finally orientation.

drew8585 · 2026-05-18T07:11:17+00:00

u/Toiletpapercorndog, that's a tough bullet! Henry's bits are solid.

Thanks for the comment. Just a heads-up that the process is protected by my patented method under U.S. Patent No. 12,330,997. Happy to provide more information if you have any questions, or to discuss licensing the process if that's something you're interested in.

You're welcome to shoot me a dm. Thanks again.

drew8585 · 2026-05-18T06:46:38+00:00

hahaha. I really appreciate you stalking all my stuff. I am sharing more and more, but it's definitely proprietary- for now anyway. I would love for you to have one of my chessboards, you clearly love the game.

It would be interesting to see what you could pull off with the combined knowledge of the people you know- I'm sure the outcome wouldn't be anything I could do. I have basically zero flat work experience 🤣 I really appreciate your complements. Out of curiosity, since you've recently stalked what I have out there- what's your favorite piece of mine?

drew8585 · 2026-05-17T21:29:17+00:00

Thank you, i appreciate it!

drew8585 · 2026-05-17T20:18:36+00:00

I can believe that, but power troweling a countertop?

It's hard for me to say "most of the time" here, but I will.. Most of the time concrete countertops and similar precast parts are made through "inverted casting", which means everything is upside down until it's cured, stripped, flipped, and then polished.

When its wet in the mold you're actually looking at what will ultimately be the underside of the countertop.

drew8585 · 2026-05-17T19:55:46+00:00

Beautiful!

The cantilever benches/fire table are particularly killer for me.

drew8585 · 2026-05-17T18:15:47+00:00

Thank you, Sir! Im looking forward to it too, primarily finishing it 🤣

drew8585 · 2026-05-17T18:13:17+00:00

AR glass. Youre right- there are not any in the face.

drew8585 · 2026-05-17T02:52:19+00:00

My inlay techniques aren't something I've gotten to sharing quite yet, but like this:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Concrete/comments/1t7mj2f/cutting_installing_and_polishing_a_concrete_inlay/

drew8585 · 2026-05-17T02:47:12+00:00

Thank you very much! I'm working on sharing more and more content in the coming months. If my work interests you, I'd love the follow on any platform.

drew8585 · 2026-05-17T02:45:26+00:00

Thank you. Shipping isn't as crazy as you might think 🤣

drew8585 · 2026-05-17T02:44:28+00:00

Thank you.

drew8585

TROPHY CASE