Cob Re: clay lime observation

[crtaylor]

>I've been processing clay with a drill mixer in 5 gallon buckets in
>order to plaster the interior of our SB home in Northern Michigan.
>
>When I add 1/2 cup of lime putty to clay the consistancy of thick slip
>and mix for about ten seconds, it thickens enough to stand up the
>drill.  It becomes much stiffer and more plastic.
>
>I'm not sure what this means but I keep adding lime to my plaster.
>
>Keith


Hi Keith, I use a drill mixer too, and clay and lime are making a natural
cement... the lime and clay will fight for the water molecules..getting
thick very fast as they absorb the water.  if you add too much clay or lime
it will become like  glue/unmoveable..the the drill will choke.

Charmaine R. Taylor
Taylor Publishing & Elk River Press
PO Box 6985 Eureka CA 95502  1-888-307-7650
'Books for people who want to build'

http://www.northcoast.com/~tms/