Rethink Your Life!
Finance, health, lifestyle, environment, philosophy
The Work of Art and The Art of Work
Kiko Denzer on Art



Cob Southern Style???

Patrick Newberry goshawk at gnat.net
Mon Apr 5 15:16:13 CDT 1999


Hi Brett & Shell 
I've been out of town a bit lately and may have missed any replies to 
this one, but IMHO, straw is nice but not necessary. 

So while pine straw would give much in the way of insulation, I think 
it would work fine otherwise.

other opinions?
Pat
http://www.gnat.net/~goshawk 

 


 
> 
> The soil in this area is almost pure red clay or a mixture of red clay
> and river sand.  I have made a few test balls just from clumps dug and
> have had great success with very little cracking.  The best seems to
> be the ones that have more of the clay and little sand. The hardness
> is like rock when dried and can be thrown on concrete without
> breaking.
> 
> I have yet to add any straw to the mixture and that is where my first
> question comes in.  Straw is not easily found in this area. Hay is
> plentiful, but actual straw is not.  One thing that is very readily
> availiable and free is pine straw.  I was wondering if anyone has ever
> used it in cob construction and if so did it work?
> 
> The second part of my query is if anyone knows of cob construction
> that has been done in my area in the past. I have yet to find out
> about any and would surely want to talk with someone who has built
> with it here if possible.
> 
> Any other info that any of you may have that would help in our journey
> into this would be greatly appreciated.  I must tell you that so far
> everyone we have broached the subject with locally, which is mainly
> friends and family, is very skeptical about the feasibility of this
> type of construction here. In fact one very close relative compared me
> and this whole idea to a famous literary fiqure by the name of Don Q
> who fought windmills.LOL...not the first tyme I have run into that
> attitude...LOL.
> 
> Thanx in advance for any and all info ya'll can provide and have a
> wonderful weekend!!!
> 
> Brett & Shell
>