Very nice one man job, make the Machines break their backs for a change. all way wondered why out of all the Cob making vids I watched no one does this the fool around with feet hands and tarps. Planing a cob rocket heater build here real soon, why don't ya fly down to Australia and help me out so i can partake in your knowledge. Best wishes
I wish there where more vids about building cob alone. I do like the idea of the mixer and the rototiller to do cob. Earthbags would be another idea for the lone builder. I have a girlfriend but I know I would be building it alone!
Cool, what part of the country are you in? Looks like central Oregon? I live in bend and was wondering if a cob house would do good here? I know it doesn't rain alot here but it does enough.
What type of cob mixture do you use for the interior walls or finishing plaster? In particular, do you still add straw? I'm thinking not because the straw would be seen protruding out and might ruin the interior finish.
Depends on what look your going for... chopped straw is used often. 1" or so. Otherwise, a finish plaster could also have paper pulp, manure, chopped straw, cat tail fluff... etc.
A mortar mixer is prolly best for finish plaster. I use a 'concrete' mixer since that's what I have. For alis, or clay paints I use a drill with a paint mixing attachment.
I built a 600 sq ft building with a cement mixer two years age. My mix was much dryer and thicker than yours. Be careful how wet the cob mix is or it will slump, spluge and shrink then crack! Water has to vacate eventually. I used to use bread mixers and cement mixers to mix up my potter clay batches too!
Perhaps I should have called this, Making Plaster. :)
True, this mix would have to sit around and dry before using it in cob wall construction. But in the high mesa sun it dries out quick! So by the time you get around to it it definitely stiffens up. I've been applying this mix as an infill plaster of sorts.
This mix is a plaster that I've been using. Though it could sit around to dry and make 'building cob'. It's usually applied as layers while sticky like this.
-40C. I think your best bet is earth berm or straw bale. Though you can use cob with those styles of building. I'd just keep it on the inside where it holds the 'warmer' temps. Cob isn't very insulating. Though it has a thermal flywheel effect that makes up for it, but not in a climate such as that. Cob absorbs heat or cool-gives it back.
This is SO incredible! I have been studying cob and was thinking of attending a workshop. It's pretty expensive to go the workshops, though, especially not being sure you want to use this method. I am so grateful that you put this up. We will probably try a smaller project than a home at first to see what we think of this based on you showing the videos here. Thanks so much for letting us have a looksy! ;-)
Very nice one man job, make the Machines break their backs for a change. all way wondered why out of all the Cob making vids I watched no one does this the fool around with feet hands and tarps. Planing a cob rocket heater build here real soon, why don't ya fly down to Australia and help me out so i can partake in your knowledge. Best wishes
DavidTexen 1 month ago
I wish there where more vids about building cob alone. I do like the idea of the mixer and the rototiller to do cob. Earthbags would be another idea for the lone builder. I have a girlfriend but I know I would be building it alone!
zekehooper 1 year ago
Cool, what part of the country are you in? Looks like central Oregon? I live in bend and was wondering if a cob house would do good here? I know it doesn't rain alot here but it does enough.
zekehooper 1 year ago
I liked that little song lol
WHITETRASHDOLL 2 years ago 2
Ever try sticking a bowling ball in the mixer to help crush dry materials?
eicebleu 2 years ago
What type of cob mixture do you use for the interior walls or finishing plaster? In particular, do you still add straw? I'm thinking not because the straw would be seen protruding out and might ruin the interior finish.
GMPresents 2 years ago
Depends on what look your going for... chopped straw is used often. 1" or so. Otherwise, a finish plaster could also have paper pulp, manure, chopped straw, cat tail fluff... etc.
A mortar mixer is prolly best for finish plaster. I use a 'concrete' mixer since that's what I have. For alis, or clay paints I use a drill with a paint mixing attachment.
Sifting materials is a must for finish work!
iloveadobe 2 years ago
Thanks adobe, I'd be going for a very smooth-to-touch look so I presume cat fluff would be best for that?
GMPresents 2 years ago
how do u mix clay that has dried into lumps? taken from a building side when they dug out the fountations? its really dried n hard now
polygamous1 2 years ago
Soak it in water.
iloveadobe 2 years ago
20 shovels earth, 10 handfuls straw, water for goop consistency and one brown Lab dog as site manager.
Nice and uncomplicated ..Bravo
Namdor2012 2 years ago 3
I built a 600 sq ft building with a cement mixer two years age. My mix was much dryer and thicker than yours. Be careful how wet the cob mix is or it will slump, spluge and shrink then crack! Water has to vacate eventually. I used to use bread mixers and cement mixers to mix up my potter clay batches too!
terrabugz 3 years ago
Perhaps I should have called this, Making Plaster. :)
True, this mix would have to sit around and dry before using it in cob wall construction. But in the high mesa sun it dries out quick! So by the time you get around to it it definitely stiffens up. I've been applying this mix as an infill plaster of sorts.
iloveadobe 2 years ago
This mix is a plaster that I've been using. Though it could sit around to dry and make 'building cob'. It's usually applied as layers while sticky like this.
-40C. I think your best bet is earth berm or straw bale. Though you can use cob with those styles of building. I'd just keep it on the inside where it holds the 'warmer' temps. Cob isn't very insulating. Though it has a thermal flywheel effect that makes up for it, but not in a climate such as that. Cob absorbs heat or cool-gives it back.
iloveadobe 3 years ago
Hm, do you do like a slump test to see if it is to runny and has the right consitancy?
Also does anyone know how well cob would perform at -40C weather?
Messerschmit 3 years ago
This is SO incredible! I have been studying cob and was thinking of attending a workshop. It's pretty expensive to go the workshops, though, especially not being sure you want to use this method. I am so grateful that you put this up. We will probably try a smaller project than a home at first to see what we think of this based on you showing the videos here. Thanks so much for letting us have a looksy! ;-)
angelady3 3 years ago
coolness;
this is alot faster than the stomping method;
you could have a gigantic house in a couple weeks
djsuperstar717 3 years ago
Are you in the States or UK?
JuiceMeGreen 3 years ago
States.
iloveadobe 3 years ago
excellent video, very informative.
skeetorretard 3 years ago