Cob: Re: new to cob info sources

Thu Mar 7 07:13:46 CST 2002

Hi Sean,
Apart from finding a good book on cob, and there are now a few around, I would offer the following:
My advice would be to first of all look at cob structures that have stood the test of time that are in the sort of environment that you are wishing to build.  This could save a lot of wheel-reinventing. 
Secondly, if I were building myself (which would involve an unbelievable amount of MY energy), I would want to optimise on the cob mix design (e.g. minimal amount of clay for easy working, maximum amount of gravel as bulk filler) to make my life easier.  I would look very seriously at what materials are immediately available on site and maximise their use to save importing.  A bit of brain effort at this stage could save a hell of a lot of brawn effort (and time) later.
Thirdly, I wouldn't ask too much of the cob, structurally speaking.  Certainly it should take the roof load, but not a lot else.  And talking about roofs, cob does need a good roof overhang to protect it from the elements.
Good luck in your quest, and I hope this is helpful.
John Hall. 

----- Original Message ----- 
  From: MICHAEL GRANT 
  To: coblist at deatech.com 
  Sent: Thursday, March 07, 2002 12:07 PM
  Subject: Cob: new to cob info sources

  Im so exicited to find cob.  I have a construction company but I am interested in building a cob house.  I have many questions but I will start looking for reccomendations for a good book about cob and any websites that are helpful.  Also any ideas for they types of roofs.  I have access to alot of salvage material.  An idea i had for the windows and doors is to build some casings out of metal and lay the cob aroudn them.  Will that work?? Anyone know of any North Carolina cob builders?? Thanks, more questions to come!!  Sean

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<DIV><FONT face=Arial>Hi Sean,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>Apart from finding a good book on cob, and there are now a 
few around, I would offer the following:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>My advice would be to first of all look at cob structures 
that have stood the test of time that are in the sort of environment 
that you are wishing to build.  This could save a lot of 
wheel-reinventing. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>Secondly, if I were building myself (which would involve 
an unbelievable amount of MY energy), I would want to optimise on the cob mix 
design (e.g. minimal amount of clay for easy working, maximum amount of gravel 
as bulk filler) to make my life easier.  I would look very seriously at 
what materials are immediately available on site and maximise their use to save 
importing.  A bit of brain effort at this stage could save a hell of a lot 
of brawn effort (and time) later.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>Thirdly, I wouldn't ask too much of the cob, structurally 
speaking.  Certainly it should take the roof load, but not a lot 
else.  And talking about roofs, cob does need a good roof overhang to 
protect it from the elements.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>Good luck in your quest, and I hope this is 
helpful.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>John Hall.</FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr 
style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
  <DIV 
  style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B> 
  <A title=tenortime at msn.com href="mailto:tenortime at msn.com">MICHAEL GRANT</A> 
  </DIV>
  <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=coblist at deatech.com 
  href="mailto:coblist at deatech.com">coblist at deatech.com</A> </DIV>
  <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Thursday, March 07, 2002 12:07 
  PM</DIV>
  <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Cob: new to cob info 
  sources</DIV>
  <DIV><BR></DIV>
  <DIV>Im so exicited to find cob.  I have a construction company but I am 
  interested in building a cob house.  I have many questions but I will 
  start looking for reccomendations for a good book about cob and any websites 
  that are helpful.  Also any ideas for they types of roofs.  I have 
  access to alot of salvage material.  An idea i had for the windows and 
  doors is to build some casings out of metal and lay the cob aroudn them.  
  Will that work?? Anyone know of any North Carolina cob builders?? Thanks, more 
  questions to come!!  Sean<BR><BR></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>

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