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Kiko Denzer on Art



[Cob] Putting bottles together

Dulane silkworm at spiderhollow.com
Wed Mar 18 12:03:26 CDT 2009


My process was very similar to Su's. I used a clear glass taped to a colored
bottle (with bottle neck intact) - clear glass on the inside, colored on the
outside. I wrapped them with tin foil and taped it tight. My walls were just
12 in. at that point.
I've seen (on the net) cob bottle walls that looked like a starburst, with a
contrasting one in the middle and different colors of blues and greens. I
wish I could find the links to show you. I did have a little trouble with
condensation in a few of them during the long winter when the cob was
drying, but not since then. I do still get a bit of condensation on the
single sheets of glass, like in my door panes and the glass table tops I
used for round windows, but it dries as soon as the moisture source (or
heat) is stopped. (Make sure you plan a passive venting system.)  

-----Original Message-----
From: coblist-bounces at deatech.com [mailto:coblist-bounces at deatech.com] On
Behalf Of Susan Hagan
Sent: Tuesday, March 17, 2009 11:49 PM
To: Cob list
Subject: [Cob] Putting bottles together



Dear Carrie,
 
I used old milk bottles that I tound in the basement of the 100 year old cob
house here on my prpoerty. I gave them a good clean and dried them well and
then put them open end to open end and bound them with packing tape. They
measured exactly 16 inches which is the width of the walls and then we
cobbed them in.
 
 
http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/suhagan/WindowsWithBottles?authkey=Gv1sRgCM6gm
LnZmKn5Aw&feat=directlink
 

Here is the link to the Picasa Web album for you to look at.This is my first
cob house that I built as an experiment to see how the local materials held
up.  It will have a living roof and has survived without a single problem
throughout a harsh Bulgarian winter.  Soon the Spring will be here and we
can finish it. 
 
I will post more photos when it is finished. 
 
Kind Regards,
 
Su Hagan

 

> From: coblist-request at deatech.com
> Subject: Coblist Digest, Vol 7, Issue 56
> To: coblist at deatech.com
> Date: Tue, 17 Mar 2009 12:00:04 -0700
> 
> Send Coblist mailing list submissions to
> coblist at deatech.com
> 
> To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
> http://www.deatech.com/mailman/listinfo/coblist
> or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
> coblist-request at deatech.com
> 
> You can reach the person managing the list at
> coblist-owner at deatech.com
> 
> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
> than "Re: Contents of Coblist digest..."
> 
> 
> Today's Topics:
> 
> 1. Bottle walls (William Milmoe)
> 2. blue bottle walls -cobbed (Charmaine Taylor)
> 3. Bottles in walls (Susan Hagan)
> 4. Re: Bottle walls (Carrie)
> 
> 
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> Message: 1
> Date: Mon, 16 Mar 2009 13:24:01 -0700
> From: William Milmoe <wmilmoe at gmail.com>
> Subject: [Cob] Bottle walls
> To: coblist at deatech.com
> Message-ID:
> <9e2fb5b0903161324p5c4f4de7o8ed800e446aaacd6 at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
> 
> I have also seen builders wrap the bottles in aluminum foil to direct
> more light to the interior.
> 
> When the bottles break (happens easily especially with kids) they have
> to be dug out and replaced. Routine maintenance for an experienced
> cob'ber.
> 
> Bill
> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 2
> Date: Mon, 16 Mar 2009 22:15:32 -0700
> From: Charmaine Taylor <dirtcheapbuilderbooks at gmail.com>
> Subject: [Cob] blue bottle walls -cobbed
> To: coblist at deatech.com
> Message-ID:
> <a28510c80903162215j4ac9797dibe49fafd642db4e6 at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
> 
> know most of the "wall" are made with bottles and
> concrete, but was thinking I would use the idea using cob instead of
> the concrete.
> http://www.krepcio.com/vitreosity/archives/001187.html
> 
> Do you think that will work with cob?
> 
> Thank you,
> Sharon
> ___________
> 
> 
> Sharon- from further links on that URL site you gave show HOW
> to build a wall. , and the answer is yes.
> 
> there are many homes with bottles in the walls In AU made of clay/cob/
> also tons of creative walls, privacy walls, bench backs, window area
> have bottles in the cob for light.. so have at it!!
> 
> http://maven.gtri.gatech.edu/sfi/gradcourses/goathouse/MBWall.html
> 
> I have about 150 blue Sky vodka bottles and other blue wine ones for
> my use in a cob wall, garden art use... am anxious to use them all
> -- 
> Ms. Charmaine Taylor/ Taylor Publishing
> Toll Free Order: 1-888-441-1632
> www.dirtcheapbuilder.com www. papercrete.com
> PO Box 375, Cutten CA 95534
> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 3
> Date: Tue, 17 Mar 2009 07:37:31 +0000
> From: Susan Hagan <su.hagan at hotmail.co.uk>
> Subject: [Cob] Bottles in walls
> To: Cob list <coblist at deatech.com>
> Message-ID: <BLU120-W62E2E2B3231A5C0F3C1CADB980 at phx.gbl>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252"
> 
> 
> 
> Dear Sharon,
> 
> 
> 
> I have put bottles in walls very successfully, though after seeing the
photos on the list yesterday, very conservatively, into my walls here in
Bulgaria. 
> 
> 
> 
> I used no particular cob mix and put the first row of bottles on adobe
bricks and some globs of cob to hold them in and then just went from there. 
> 
> 
> 
> SU
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> > From: coblist-request at deatech.com
> > Subject: Coblist Digest, Vol 7, Issue 55
> > To: coblist at deatech.com
> > Date: Mon, 16 Mar 2009 12:00:03 -0700
> > 
> > Send Coblist mailing list submissions to
> > coblist at deatech.com
> > 
> > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
> > http://www.deatech.com/mailman/listinfo/coblist
> > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
> > coblist-request at deatech.com
> > 
> > You can reach the person managing the list at
> > coblist-owner at deatech.com
> > 
> > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
> > than "Re: Contents of Coblist digest..."
> > 
> > 
> > Today's Topics:
> > 
> > 1. Bottle walls (Sharon)
> > 2. Re: Bottle walls (Shody Ryon)
> > 3. Re: Fleas and ticks in sand(Udit) (Christo Markham)
> > 
> > 
> > ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> > 
> > Message: 1
> > Date: Sun, 15 Mar 2009 20:55:47 -0500
> > From: Sharon <ltlwhtwolf1316 at charter.net>
> > Subject: [Cob] Bottle walls
> > To: coblist at deatech.com
> > Message-ID: <DAEBC12B-29EA-4B5F-B468-6F8A93EB3832 at charter.net>
> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed; delsp=yes
> > 
> > Hi everyone!
> > Stumbled on this web page yesterday and thought it may be of interest 
> > to some of you. I know most of the "wall" are made with bottles and 
> > concrete, but was thinking I would use the idea using cob instead of 
> > the concrete.
> > Do you think that will work with cob?
> > 
> > Thank you,
> > Sharon
> > 
> > http://www.krepcio.com/vitreosity/archives/001187.html
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > ------------------------------
> > 
> > Message: 2
> > Date: Sun, 15 Mar 2009 20:46:58 -0700 (PDT)
> > From: Shody Ryon <qi4u at yahoo.com>
> > Subject: Re: [Cob] Bottle walls
> > To: coblist at deatech.com, Sharon <ltlwhtwolf1316 at charter.net>
> > Message-ID: <512403.75270.qm at web90604.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
> > 
> > 
> > I am not a cob builder, but I am trying to remember what I read, I think
cob walls can be too think for the length of bottles, so people cut the
tapered section off the tops of 2 bottles and put the openings together for
a longer than normal bottle with lots of light (no taper). I am thinking cob
may not be as strong as concrete so maybe there should be more cob between
the bottles than in some of the walls in the photos. Bottles might change
the inside temp in a cob house compared to one with no bottles. In colder
climates, perhaps only the equator facing wall would a good wall to put a
lot of bottles in. In warmer climates perhaps the eastern and the polar
facing walls would would be better for lots of bottles? I do not really
know, I am thinking glass in the western wall would heat the house at the
end of the day, when you might like to avoid heat.
> > Shody
> > 
> > --- On Sun, 3/15/09, Sharon <ltlwhtwolf1316 at charter.net> wrote:
> > 
> > > From: Sharon <ltlwhtwolf1316 at charter.net>
> > > Subject: [Cob] Bottle walls
> > > To: coblist at deatech.com
> > > Date: Sunday, March 15, 2009, 10:55 PM
> > > Hi everyone!
> > > Stumbled on this web page yesterday and thought it may be
> > > of interest 
> > > to some of you. I know most of the "wall" are
> > > made with bottles and 
> > > concrete, but was thinking I would use the idea using cob
> > > instead of 
> > > the concrete.
> > > Do you think that will work with cob?
> > > 
> > > Thank you,
> > > Sharon
> > > 
> > > http://www.krepcio.com/vitreosity/archives/001187.html
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > Coblist mailing list
> > > Coblist at deatech.com
> > > http://www.deatech.com/mailman/listinfo/coblist
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > ------------------------------
> > 
> > Message: 3
> > Date: Mon, 16 Mar 2009 10:13:08 +0100
> > From: Christo Markham <christo.markham at gmail.com>
> > Subject: Re: [Cob] Fleas and ticks in sand(Udit)
> > To: coblist at deatech.com
> > Message-ID:
> > <fd84523c0903160213v41f8199y40f8e50bdcb0ccf8 at mail.gmail.com>
> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
> > 
> > Hello just a word of caution if you choose to experiment with
diatomaceous
> > earth where fine dust mask and eye protection. It contains high levels
of
> > free silica which can damage lungs and cause silicosis. Try surf booties
to
> > protect your feet? Heating the sand under plastic to 140 degrees should
kill
> > the insects. Submerging the sand under water would probably do the trick
> > with a little soap in the water they should drown skim off the floaters
or
> > cob the dead insects into the walls, can't see any reasons not to. If
your
> > worried about eggs. If the walls dry quickly this shouldn't be a problem
> > either. Good luck and good cobbing.
> > Christo
> > 
> > www.buildingtraditions.eu
> > 
> > 
> > ------------------------------
> > 
> > _______________________________________________
> > Coblist mailing list
> > Coblist at deatech.com
> > http://www.deatech.com/mailman/listinfo/coblist
> > 
> > 
> > End of Coblist Digest, Vol 7, Issue 55
> > **************************************
> 
> _________________________________________________________________
> 25GB of FREE Online Storage ? Find out more
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> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 4
> Date: Tue, 17 Mar 2009 02:41:48 -0600
> From: Carrie <thinksaloud at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [Cob] Bottle walls
> To: Coblist at deatech.com
> Message-ID:
> <d36745830903170141k3f95644fh95138c4bb7439247 at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
> 
> Someone suggested cutting the bottles in half and butting them edge to
edge
> to make them able to bridge the thickness of a cob wall. I can't find who
> said that, but how do you do that? And do they have to be sealed together
> somehow, or is just placing them together sufficient?
> 
> Thanks,
> Carrie
> 
> On Sun, Mar 15, 2009 at 7:55 PM, Sharon <ltlwhtwolf1316 at charter.net>
wrote:
> 
> > Hi everyone!
> > Stumbled on this web page yesterday and thought it may be of interest
> > to some of you. I know most of the "wall" are made with bottles and
> > concrete, but was thinking I would use the idea using cob instead of
> > the concrete.
> > Do you think that will work with cob?
> >
> > Thank you,
> > Sharon
> >
> > http://www.krepcio.com/vitreosity/archives/001187.html
> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Coblist mailing list
> > Coblist at deatech.com
> > http://www.deatech.com/mailman/listinfo/coblist
> >
> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other
people's
> money.
> --Margaret Thatcher
> 
> Making plans for one year,
> we plant rice.
> Making plans for ten years,
> we plant trees.
> Making plans for one hundred years,
> we prepare people.
> - old Chinese saying
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Coblist mailing list
> Coblist at deatech.com
> http://www.deatech.com/mailman/listinfo/coblist
> 
> 
> End of Coblist Digest, Vol 7, Issue 56
> **************************************

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