Whether you set them in a driveway to prevent encroachment into landscaping, in a garage to prevent accidental contact with interior walls or cabinets, or just use them to define the vehicle position in a parking space, building your own wheel stops can save you money and allow for custom shapes not found in standard manufactured stops. The method for fabricating a basic form can be adapted to different lengths or shapes by adjusting the dimensions to your specific needs.
Things You Will Need
The Form
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Cut two pieces of 3/4-inch plywood 5 inches wide by 6 3/4 inches long. These will be the end blocks of your concrete form.
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Mark two pieces of plywood to be cut 5 1/4 inches wide by 49 1/2 inches long. Cut one edge and both ends of these pieces with square cuts. Cut the remaining side at a 15-degree angle, keeping the 5 1/4 inches as the widest side. The opposite side should be about 5 inches wide. These two pieces will be the sides of the concrete form.
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Cut one piece of plywood 5 3/4 inches by 49 1/2 inches. This is the base of your concrete form.
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Mark the end pieces cut in Step 1 with a 15-degree angle from each side of the 6 3/4-inch width. This will create a trapezoid shape that is 6 3/4 inches on the widest side and approximately 4 inches on the opposite side. Cut these outside wedged pieces off.
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Attach the sides cut in Step 2 to the end pieces trimmed in Step 4, keeping the long point of the 15-degree cut against the end pieces (the inside of the form) and flush with the 4-inch side of the end pieces. Secure with a bead of wood glue and stitcher screws. The end of the side pieces should be flush with the face of the end pieces when assembled.
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Set the plywood form assembly on a flat surface, with the widest opening down, and attach the base plywood piece cut in Step 3 to the form, keeping the ends flush and the overlap of the side pieces equal--approximately 1/8 inch. Secure with a bead of wood glue over the perimeter of the form and stitcher screws about 6 inches apart. Let your wheel stop form sit for 24 hours so the glue can dry.
The Function
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Prepare the prepackaged concrete mix according to manufacturer’s directions in a wheelbarrow or mortar box.
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Place the concrete form on a level surface and fill it halfway with concrete mix.
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Cut a piece of 1/2-inch (#4) reinforcing bar 44 inches long with a hacksaw. Lay the reinforcing bar on the concrete’s surface, approximately centered.
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Fill the form with concrete mix to level with the top of the form. Use a straight piece of wood to scrape off the excess and smooth the top surface. Lightly tap the sides of the form a few times over the length with a hammer to help the wet concrete fill any minor voids. Let the concrete cure for 6 hours or until the surface is hard to the touch.
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Turn the form over and, lifting slightly on one end, gently shake the wheel stop out of the form. Use a wet sponge to smooth the surfaces. Allow your wheel stop block to cure for 48 hours.
The Drip Cap
- Concrete wheel stops can be used in many ways.
- Whether you set them in a driveway to prevent encroachment into landscaping, in a garage to prevent accidental contact with interior walls or cabinets, or just use them to define the vehicle position in a parking space, building your own wheel stops can save you money and allow for custom shapes not found in standard manufactured stops.
- Cut two pieces of 3/4-inch plywood 5 inches wide by 6 3/4 inches long.
- These two pieces will be the sides of the concrete form.
- Set the plywood form assembly on a flat surface, with the widest opening down, and attach the base plywood piece cut in Step 3 to the form, keeping the ends flush and the overlap of the side pieces equal--approximately 1/8 inch.
- Place the concrete form on a level surface and fill it halfway with concrete mix.
- Use a straight piece of wood to scrape off the excess and smooth the top surface.