Cob: mixing cob/clay was: poor & new

[Vicki and David Wicker]

Charmaine
I am considering the paper cob as an infill for a post and beam framed
house. But am wanting to then wrap the whole thing with one or two inch
rigid foam in order to have insulation around the framing. The exterior
shell of insulation was recommended in THE PASSIVE SOLAR HOUSE as critical
to efficient heating and cooling. I am wondering if you would want to put a
moisture barrier between the padobe in fill and the insulation. I was also
considering putting wood slats on the outside and attaching the foam to that
so as to create an air space. "Breathable" keeps coming up in discussions as
important, but I'm not sure I understand that concept.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Charmaine R Taylor" <tms at northcoast.com>
To: "Patrick Newberry" <PNewberry at HFHI.org>
Cc: <coblist at deatech.com>
Sent: Thursday, October 04, 2001 2:52 PM
Subject: Re: Cob: mixing cob/clay was: poor & new


> cob is actually 1/4 R per inch..it is mass not thermal.
>
> sound like she has "enough" as Joe Dominguez (your money or your life
> fame) said.
>
> Best bet for some heat is to make light straw clay or woodchip/sawdust
> clay tamped between forms, as Ken Kern promoted, and as the germans do
> nmow. This is my favorite technique in addtion to earth bag as just some
> mixing is done and the mix is poured and lightly tamped into place.
>
> as you all may know I use a 1950s wringer washer as a mixer, and mix
> paper clay lime, sawdust, other fibers to make a good thick or thin
> material for MANY uses..right now it's sculpted and formed pottery and
> garden stuff..stepping sones, fill in gor a slope are ( used Mt St
> helen's ash & lime & clay with coffee grain sized sawdust to make a
> poured step off, holding up great..except for the bear paw print and
> racoon print the first night!! no kidding..now I look twice when I step
> outside after dark for 'ole bear)
>
> in any case, I ramble..wringer washer is a GREAT agitaor to mke the clay
> slip and also for the fiber mixing, will try chopped straw soon. best
> part is that you can make a wetter mix then let sit a few days, or
> remove and let drain/dry up a bit to get a thick malleable dough easy
> for shaping.)
>
> Pics of the mixer ( I named him Dewey, are at the site below)
> Ms. Charmaine  Taylor/ Taylor Publishing
> http://www.dirtcheapbuilder.com
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