Cob Need some *cob* help

[Patrick Newberry]

You don't need any machinary to make cob. Most folks I know don't use 
machinary. To get you hands "muddy" go ahead and make some test bricks 
and measure their length then measure them again and see how much they 
shrank. 

Next put some of your earth in a jar (1/3 full) then add another 1/3 of 
water and shake. The sand will sink to the bottom, followed by silt 
then clay. Clay is on top. 10 to 30 percent is good, but for small 
project you have a lot of flexabilty. Let us know how it goes.

Pat
http://www.gnat.net/~goshawk 


> Happy Spring Greetings to Everyone!
> 
> I just joined the list and my children and I are really itching
> to get started!
> 
> What I really need and can't seem to find on the internet is 
> some kind of basic recipe for cob that I can put together in our
> backyard without the need of any equipment.  The closest that I have
> been able to come to finding such a recipe also called for the need of
> a cement mixer. 
> 
> We're starting small and just wanting to get our hands *muddy*?
> with something hopefully simple like a goat or chicken pen.
> 
> We are located in southern California and have access to lots
> of dirt.  Actually it's more of a sand/dirt mixture but I'm 
> hoping that something can be made out of it without the need
> of machinery.
> 
> Any and all suggestions and help would be most greatly appreciated!!
> 
> Thank you!
> 
> Janet
>