How To: Neo-Industrialise Ashtrays

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Design J.F   Make R.E

One of our only problems with smoking, aside from cancer, is the horrible stinking leftovers.  With our recipe, you’ll have a solid defence against those unsightly cigarette butts - and once you’ve been converted to the creative power of concrete, you’ll start to notice how much modern design utilises the cheap and effective material. So hop on the concrete bandwagon here and mould a clean, minimalist-esque concrete ashtray for your artsy-type friends to butt out their Champion Ruby rollies in.

Cost $15 | Time 2 hours

 
What You’ll Need
- Tube of black silicone
- Caulking gun
- Bag of concrete mix
- Large watertight container Soap dish or plate 
- Small PVC pipe
- Stanley Knife
- Rag, Bucket
- Stick for mixing concrete
- Screed (levelling device).
Step 1 It took us a couple of goes to get this ashtray right. So plan out this project thoroughly, concrete is not a particularly forgiving material. Making this ashtray, you’re working upside down and inverted. Whatever sticks out, is the inside shape. Stick your soap dish or china bowl to the inside of your watertight container using the black silicone. We used two bits of odd china, we found in the back of the cupboard but you could use Tupperware. Make sure the inside bowl is both smaller in height and diameter than your watertight container. Let dry and cut away excess silicone – be careful not to move the inside bowl.
Step 2 Cut your PVC piping in half lengthways. These will form the grooves for the cigarettes. Take your time and create a snug fit between the inside bowl and what will be the top of your concrete mould. We had to curve the tubes because there wasn’t a straight angle. Fill the inside of the tubes with silicone and stick to the bottom of your watertight container.
 
 
Step 3 In a bucket, mix a small batch of concrete until it reaches the consistency of porridge. Be sure to find the cement (grey powder) and mix that in with the rocks and sand. Clean your mould of any excess silicone or dirt. Pour the concrete into the mould until it’s full. Pick up the mould with the concrete in and knock the bottom on a flat surface to level the concrete. Screed the top of the container so that the concrete is level and smooth. The concrete should be a grey colour.
 
Step 4 Of course you could design this ashtray to any shape or number of cigarette grooves but let the mixture sit for 1-3 days to set propperly. Finally, remove your tray from the mould and place outside for those with the ‘filthy’ habit.