[Cob] Recipes for Borax as a wood treatment

[Susan Hagan]

Thank you to those that answered my query.  I am still looking for a basic recipe and even though I spent all morning on the Internet have been unable to find one. 
 
Is there anyone out there who has used Borax to treat wood?  If so please tell me what proportions you used. 
 
Many thanks,
 
Su Hagan


 

> From: coblist-request at deatech.com
> Subject: Coblist Digest, Vol 7, Issue 125
> To: coblist at deatech.com
> Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 12:00:03 -0700
> 
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> Today's Topics:
> 
> 1. Borax as a wood treatment (Susan Hagan)
> 
> 
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> Message: 1
> Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 17:11:18 +0000
> From: Susan Hagan <su.hagan at hotmail.co.uk>
> Subject: [Cob] Borax as a wood treatment
> To: Cob list <coblist at deatech.com>
> Message-ID: <BLU120-W261C000DC8A04F6B44C6C7DB2F0 at phx.gbl>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252"
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Is there anyone out there who has used Borax as a wood preservative and if so coul dyou tell me what proportions you used or head me towards a reputable and informative site. 
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Su, 
> 
> In Bulgaria
> 
> 
> 
> 
> > From: coblist-request at deatech.com
> > Subject: Coblist Digest, Vol 7, Issue 124
> > To: coblist at deatech.com
> > Date: Tue, 30 Jun 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. building design (Damon Howell)
> > 2. cold box in cob wall question (Tys Sniffen)
> > 3. Re: opinion on foundation for cob (howard at earthandstraw.com)
> > 4. Re: cold box in cob wall question (Dulane)
> > 5. Re: building design (Shannon Dealy)
> > 
> > 
> > ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> > 
> > Message: 1
> > Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:16:31 -0400
> > From: Damon Howell <dhowell at pickensprogress.com>
> > Subject: [Cob] building design
> > To: coblist at deatech.com
> > Message-ID: <4A3D01E3-9F63-469C-BE1F-A2DDE653619B at pickensprogress.com>
> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed
> > 
> > To me it seems like a curved wall would be much stronger than a 
> > straight one. As far as earthquake resistance, I imagine a circular 
> > building design would be the best way to go. But it seems like 
> > everything became complicated when I built round. I couldn't keep it 
> > a perfect circle, a flat roof will look cheap, furniture doesn't go 
> > against the wall. Blinds and curtain rods don't either. But I imagine 
> > if I built square I could've kept the walls straight easier using a 
> > string, the building could be used for storage and everyone who saw 
> > it would recognize the familiar shape and be more inclined to built 
> > one of their own. Not that mine looks bad, it's no where near 
> > finished. But I can definitely see advantages of a standard square 
> > building over an "organic" shape.
> > 
> > Later,
> > Damon
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > ------------------------------
> > 
> > Message: 2
> > Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:19:43 -0700
> > From: "Tys Sniffen" <tys at ideamountain.com>
> > Subject: [Cob] cold box in cob wall question
> > To: <coblist at deatech.com>
> > Message-ID: <200906292019.n5TKJktV017849 at njbrsmtp1.vzwmail.net>
> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
> > 
> > I'm about mid-kitchen-wall right now with my cob, and I've always been
> > planning a cold box (a pass through opening on cool side of house with air
> > flow on the outside and a door on the inside to use as a cooler) but now I'm
> > wondering about specifics of design, and actual usage.
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > Anyone on this list have one they use? Does it work well? Would you suggest
> > I make one? Also, I've seen different designs, and am wondering about which
> > might work best, or be most stable. I've seen screened over openings as
> > wide and high as the entire box, and I've imagined (maybe saw somewhere?)
> > something with just openings at the top and bottom for air circulation. I've
> > also thought about a narrow slight going the entire height (like an old
> > fashion arrow slot in a castle). 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > Thoughts?
> > 
> > Tys
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > Choose your own provider with no waiting periods with Spirit Dental and
> > Vision Insurance at
> > 
> > www.spiritdental.com 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > ------------------------------
> > 
> > Message: 3
> > Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:57:15 -0500
> > From: <howard at earthandstraw.com>
> > Subject: Re: [Cob] opinion on foundation for cob
> > To: <coblist at deatech.com>
> > Message-ID: <01459AE95FAC4042B3C8B18286912C16 at h4howard1>
> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
> > 
> > I've seen many buildings with concrete footings and rigid stemwalls fall down in earthquakes because their "legs" were knocked out from under them as their rigid stemwalls crumbled in the seismic wave. Too many apparently have not learned the lesson's from FLLW about how to build with a rubble trench foundation which is what saved the Imperial Hotel from destruction in Tokyo when an earthquake leveled the rest of the city. A rubble trench is put on undisturbed earth below the frost line, that is the point, and the oldest buildings in the world were not built like Phil suggests ...or they would never have made it to old. America not only builds stupid it has a stupid healthcare system, a stupid justice system, a stupid monetary system, as stupid schooling system and a really stupid food system as well. America's entire convention today is stupidity.
> > 
> > 
> > Howard Switzer, Architect
> > 668 Hurricane Creek Road
> > Linden, TN 37096
> > 931-589-6513
> > www.earthandstraw.com
> > ----- Original Message ----- 
> > From: phil moulton 
> > To: 'Tys Sniffen' ; coblist at deatech.com 
> > Sent: Sunday, June 28, 2009 1:59 AM
> > Subject: Re: [Cob] opinion on foundation for cob
> > 
> > 
> > My big concern is just what the last poster said.
> > Putting a gravel trench down means a unstable stem wall.
> > Most here might say put in a "urbanite" and concrete stem wall over gravel.
> > I just do not feel its stable enough. We are not talking about a stick frame
> > wall but tons of material.
> > I know there are those who feel I am not "green" and that's ok.
> > Even if you let it settle for a few years and machine tamp it down its still
> > gravel with a drain pipe in it.
> > 
> > 
> > When we build it will be on solid ground with rebar and a solid concrete
> > pour 18 inch wide and 2 feet high.
> > It will start with a good solid footing of undisturbed earth. If that's 5
> > inches down or 20 the undisturbed earth has been there and is nicely settled
> > into its home.
> > 
> > Putting a stem wall over a gravel drain trench WILL cause it to crack...
> > Put your gravel drain trench OUTSIDE the perimeter of the stem wall so it
> > deflects any water around the foundation. 
> > 
> > Phil and lilpony
> > 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: coblist-bounces at deatech.com [mailto:coblist-bounces at deatech.com] On
> > Behalf Of Tys Sniffen
> > Sent: Saturday, June 27, 2009 9:23 PM
> > To: coblist at deatech.com
> > Subject: [Cob] opinion on foundation for cob
> > 
> > Kristin,
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > My opinion (worth everything you paid for it) would be close to what you're
> > thinking. If you've got a stable foundation (of any sort), get down below
> > the topsoil and then build up a stem wall. BUT, I would also suggest going
> > further down (9 inches or so?) and a bit wider than your wall and making a
> > gravel trench (with drainage tube) so that your stem wall can 'float' on
> > that. Also, I'd suggest you get the stem wall up and let it dry totally,
> > and ideally do any settling it was going to do before you put tons of cob on
> > top of it. 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > About determining the stability of your area, you should look into some
> > local geological history, and then just sit out in the spot and think it
> > through. Look at the land as if you could imagine the area flowing like lava
> > through time. Is there a dip below your building spot? Is there a crusty,
> > breaking off cliff above it? Imagine what the earth in that area has been
> > doing for the last 1000 years, and that's probably what will happen in the
> > next 1000.
> > 
> > Tys
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > Choose your own provider with no waiting periods with Spirit Dental and
> > Vision Insurance at
> > 
> > www.spiritdental.com 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > _______________________________________________
> > Coblist mailing list
> > Coblist at deatech.com
> > http://www.deatech.com/mailman/listinfo/coblist
> > 
> > 
> > _______________________________________________
> > Coblist mailing list
> > Coblist at deatech.com
> > http://www.deatech.com/mailman/listinfo/coblist
> > 
> > 
> > ------------------------------
> > 
> > Message: 4
> > Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:54:58 -0700
> > From: "Dulane" <silkworm at spiderhollow.com>
> > Subject: Re: [Cob] cold box in cob wall question
> > To: "'Tys Sniffen'" <tys at ideamountain.com>, <coblist at deatech.com>
> > Message-ID: <20090630045437.73E93614F7D at mail-in04.adhost.com>
> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
> > 
> > I have a small cooler cabinet. It always has food in it, but it works best
> > most of the winter.
> > 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: coblist-bounces at deatech.com [mailto:coblist-bounces at deatech.com] On
> > Behalf Of Tys Sniffen
> > Sent: Monday, June 29, 2009 1:20 PM
> > To: coblist at deatech.com
> > Subject: [Cob] cold box in cob wall question
> > 
> > I'm about mid-kitchen-wall right now with my cob, and I've always been
> > planning a cold box (a pass through opening on cool side of house with air
> > flow on the outside and a door on the inside to use as a cooler) but now I'm
> > wondering about specifics of design, and actual usage.
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > Anyone on this list have one they use? Does it work well? Would you suggest
> > I make one? Also, I've seen different designs, and am wondering about which
> > might work best, or be most stable. I've seen screened over openings as
> > wide and high as the entire box, and I've imagined (maybe saw somewhere?)
> > something with just openings at the top and bottom for air circulation. I've
> > also thought about a narrow slight going the entire height (like an old
> > fashion arrow slot in a castle). 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > Thoughts?
> > 
> > Tys
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > Choose your own provider with no waiting periods with Spirit Dental and
> > Vision Insurance at
> > 
> > www.spiritdental.com 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > _______________________________________________
> > Coblist mailing list
> > Coblist at deatech.com
> > http://www.deatech.com/mailman/listinfo/coblist
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > ------------------------------
> > 
> > Message: 5
> > Date: Tue, 30 Jun 2009 05:19:15 -0700 (PDT)
> > From: Shannon Dealy <dealy at deatech.com>
> > Subject: Re: [Cob] building design
> > To: Damon Howell <dhowell at pickensprogress.com>
> > Cc: coblist at deatech.com
> > Message-ID: <Pine.LNX.4.64.0906300505410.8542 at nashapur.deatech.com>
> > Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed
> > 
> > On Mon, 29 Jun 2009, Damon Howell wrote:
> > 
> > > To me it seems like a curved wall would be much stronger than a
> > > straight one. As far as earthquake resistance, I imagine a circular
> > > building design would be the best way to go. But it seems like
> > 
> > It is stronger.
> > 
> > > everything became complicated when I built round. I couldn't keep it
> > > a perfect circle,
> > 
> > Why does it need to be perfect?
> > 
> > > a flat roof will look cheap,
> > 
> > Not sure why you feel it would look cheap, however, a sloped roof (shed 
> > style - octagonal in my case) is a better choice anyway, since it will 
> > shed water and snow better. Many people go conical as well.
> > 
> > > furniture doesn't go against the wall.
> > 
> > True, but built-in cob furnishings work just fine.
> > 
> > > Blinds and curtain rods don't either.
> > 
> > These do just fine set inside the square hole in the wall that the window 
> > is built into.
> > 
> > > But I imagine if I built square I could've kept the walls straight 
> > > easier using a string, the building could be used for storage and
> > 
> > Perfectly straight or round is:
> > 
> > - overrated
> > - rare - you might want to take a close look at standard construction
> > these days, it is pretty sloppy and square/straight is usually
> > just a rough approximation at best.
> > 
> > > everyone who saw it would recognize the familiar shape and be more 
> > > inclined to built one of their own.
> > 
> > Actually, most people I have met who see these houses are attracted by the 
> > fact that they are not "square boxes". People seem to like the idea of a 
> > more artistic structure.
> > 
> > FWIW. - A round cob house owner.
> > 
> > Shannon C. Dealy | DeaTech Research Inc.
> > dealy at deatech.com | - Custom Software Development -
> > Phone: (800) 467-5820 | - Natural Building Instruction -
> > or: (541) 929-4089 | www.deatech.com
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > ------------------------------
> > 
> > _______________________________________________
> > Coblist mailing list
> > Coblist at deatech.com
> > http://www.deatech.com/mailman/listinfo/coblist
> > 
> > 
> > End of Coblist Digest, Vol 7, Issue 124
> > ***************************************
> 
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