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Millstones have been around for centuries and we often see them used as a decorative element in the garden. Using a millstone to make a fountain is a wonderful way to repurpose these old stones and a millstone fountain is not only visually appealing, it also makes a very tranquil, calming sound. The sound of the water can be just as important as the look of your fountain, so make sure you get a pump that will be strong enough to force the water through at a good rate.
Materials:One 24 w x 14 ½ h black plastic fountain tub.One fountain pump (using a sump pump with about 700 gallons per hour works great). One 10" long x ½" diameter rubber hose extension (this will vary depending on the height of your pump. You want the hose to reach into the bottom of the millstone about 2 inches. Three stone piers approximately 3x3 and 14 ½ inches high. You can also use bricks. Three 2" x 2" piers, 3" high. One ¼ " or less, sturdy mesh 3' x 3' with folded over sides to prevent wire cuts on your hand (holds your decorative stone) with 1" center hole (for water tube) and ½ hole on the outside (for your electrical). One hand carved granite millstone 16" diameter, 7" thick with a center core ½ inch to one inch on the top. One water regulator (could be something you find around the work shop - i.e., 2" long ½" bolt with a nut. Pea stone and others stones for decorating the base (You will discover that different shapes and sizes will make different sounds with the water)
Tools:Shovel
Directions:
1. Find a place to build your fountain. Make sure that you will be able to dig a hole down about 15 inches and about 30 inches across. Before you place your tub in the ground, make sure there are no sharp objects that may pierce the tub. Also make sure the ground is solid. If it seems loose, add some flagstones to help keep your fountain level. 2. Put your tub into the hole and fill in the sides to make sure it is snug in place. 3. Put 3 larger piers in a triangle shape close to the center of your tub. Your piers should be flush with the top of your tub. 4. Put your pump at the bottom of tub. Make sure you pull the pump electrical cord out of the tub. 5. Put the ½ inch tube extension on the pump. 6. Add the mesh on the top while passing both your pump tube and your electrical cord through the mesh. 7. Put your smaller piers on top of the mesh, well balanced on top of the larger piers below. This will support your millstone! Check to see that the piers are level. The small piers are used so the millstone is raised 3" above the ground. Put the millstone on top of the three piers and make sure you can feed the tube up through the bottom hole of the millstone. The millstone is heavy so make sure you do this part carefully and with help. 8. Fill your tub with water, put your regulator in the millstone hole from the top, plug in your pump and give it a try. 9. Add pea stone on top of mesh and larger decorative stones at the base.
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