You really encouraged me with this video to just try with what's close. That was on my mind but I did not dare to believe my feelings. This is a very helpful video. Thank you.
We also use rough limestone dirt, dig a shallow pit, let the mixture stew for 2-3 days till water evaporates and thich paste is made, now cover straw bundle with thick coat and lay in cross fibre fashion. Tap down to set the wall hard like dirt rammed walls, finish with a thick coat on both the sides. Roughly the wall base must be at leaat 3-4 feet thick and top about 2 feet. Plaster with a mix of clay and limestone powder. Whitewash with lime powder.
Here in the UK the concrete sand is usually referred to as Three quarters to dust, meaning three quarters of an inch gravel down to find sand all mixed together. Also, because our growing methods differ slightly to the US, I've heard it mentioned that our wheat straw is not particularly suitable for cob as it's too brittle, instead, it's best to go for barley or oat straw.
Just a curious question . Can I replace the straw with just small amount of cement? By the way my soil is sandy soil. I mean can I do it ? Like 1 part cement and 10 part soil. Hopes you understand my point. Looking forward for your answer thanks.
Thank you for the video. I have one question, where I live straw is not easily available, but what we have tons is this grass called Giant Star Grass (Cynodon plectostachyus), which has a really strong fiver that will make you trip over. It's planted for the cows and it will have seeds, but i'm wondering if we cut it and let it dry if it can be used as straw. What worries me is that it will have nutriional value, probably not as high in nitrogen as the hay, but still...
Using this method and also these ingredients, is your cob construction waterproof? I've seen a couple of other cob videos where they have to coat it in the boiled linseed oil in order for it to become waterproof. I always had the impression that cob was waterproof without having to do that. Thank you for making this video!
Only in Phoenix Arizona nobody knows what concrete sand is, I keep getting referred to lowes/home depot for quickrete everytime i ask for concrete sand...smh
Hello I live in the Caribbean. We do not have straw. Can I use coconut fiber (coir)? There is also a type of reed that the indigenous people used to make roof. It is still used in traditional houses. Would this be considered to have the qualities of hay/ grass or straw? Thank you. Blessings
we do not have much of an abundance of straw in Maine and to have it trucked from other states is there any alternative that could be used? Many parts of Maine also have a low clay content, our soil is referred to sometimes as black gold because it is awesome for growing plants.
Chipped wood can be used, but more for internal faces and partition walls. Grass is good if you let it grow full hieght, let the seed drop and scythe mow it down in the Winter before it collapses. Then it's wild straw. Makes good rope too.
I have been watching your videos for more than a year now and have learned a lot. Based on your recommendations, I made a test brick out from the material dug from the site. Is it necessary to add sand if say the ratio is 15/75 - 20/80 clay to sand? Also, the straw abundant here is rice straw, with the tensile strength that you described, it is a pass for me. However I am not sure if that is the right fiber to use. Do I need to experiment with other fibrous materials found around the site? Thanks in advance. You rock!
Hey, thanks! You might need to add a little sand to your mix still. I'd recommend doing several test batches, making test bricks, and seeing how they dry. This is the best way to determine if your mix is good or not.
Yes, indeed. Too much clay in your mix will cause cracking. This is the usual cause. Sometimes adding too much water to your mix can also cause cracking. As it dries, it creates a void where all the water was taking up.
@@thiscobhouse When excess clay is added it is said to be too rich, you need to add a modified sand mixture to give it strength. If you add an excess amount of water your mix will be weaken. The ratio when mixing brick mortar is 3:1( 3 sand to 1 mortar) a single wheelbarrow mix is 24 shovel's full of sand to 8 shovel's full of mortar. When adding water, fill a 5 gallon bucket full and add only what you need.
I believe he said 20% clay to 80% modified sand, add as much chopped straw as you like. I know when mixing brick mortar we use the ratio 3:1 sand to mortar add water sparingly. So if I were mixing cob I would add 3 shovels of sand, 1 shovel of clay soil and finely chop up a bunch of straw while keeping some small to medium pieces as well.
I have a practically inexhaustible amount of pure clay on my property. No stones, pebbles, or other inclusions other than some infrequent root material.
I live in Sri Lanka. That' south of India. I want to try my hand at cob building but in a dilemma as the straw that we have are stalks of rice paddy and these are not as strong as wheat stalks that is called straw in the west. Any ideas what I could use as an alternative?
They make these cob style buildings in afgan and they were baked in the sun so hard they were withstanding tank shells. No need for americans on this planet. Those days are behind us.
This is one of the best earth construction basics videos on the whole internet.
You really encouraged me with this video to just try with what's close. That was on my mind but I did not dare to believe my feelings. This is a very helpful video. Thank you.
You answer more questions about clay content in cob in your first 6 minutes than I have been able to find in the last 20 videos about cob
Thank you for the great info, I am looking forward to my first cob project
We also use rough limestone dirt, dig a shallow pit, let the mixture stew for 2-3 days till water evaporates and thich paste is made, now cover straw bundle with thick coat and lay in cross fibre fashion. Tap down to set the wall hard like dirt rammed walls, finish with a thick coat on both the sides. Roughly the wall base must be at leaat 3-4 feet thick and top about 2 feet. Plaster with a mix of clay and limestone powder. Whitewash with lime powder.
Here in the UK the concrete sand is usually referred to as Three quarters to dust, meaning three quarters of an inch gravel down to find sand all mixed together. Also, because our growing methods differ slightly to the US, I've heard it mentioned that our wheat straw is not particularly suitable for cob as it's too brittle, instead, it's best to go for barley or oat straw.
Flax, reed and hemp too.
What about wool?
@@Jeffrey314159 Horse hair used to be used, wool is more difficult because it tends to clump together more but it could probably be used
Just a curious question . Can I replace the straw with just small amount of cement? By the way my soil is sandy soil. I mean can I do it ? Like 1 part cement and 10 part soil. Hopes you understand my point. Looking forward for your answer thanks.
What are the ratios of the ingredients? That's all I need.
@@swamphawk6227 I just got that🤣
Can we eat that?
@@crashpal 9:15 looks like a poop
You may need to try another video i tend to look for ones the use containers as measurement and expiriment outside with bricks and a dog house
The general mix to make cob is 3 parts sand 1 part clay and 1 to 2 parts straw.
This is so Awesome. Thanks so much for sharing, the cob home's are so amazing and beautiful.
I feel congested just listening to this guy.
Yeah, I was very congested. So is your face.
Thank you for making this video!
Wawesome, exactly what this beginner needed to know.
This information was very helpful. Thank you!
Excellent explanations 🍃🌴Thank you🕊
Thank you for the video. I have one question, where I live straw is not easily available, but what we have tons is this grass called Giant Star Grass (Cynodon plectostachyus), which has a really strong fiver that will make you trip over. It's planted for the cows and it will have seeds, but i'm wondering if we cut it and let it dry if it can be used as straw. What worries me is that it will have nutriional value, probably not as high in nitrogen as the hay, but still...
Thanks for this excellent guide!
Thanks. Well explained and to the point.
Using this method and also these ingredients, is your cob construction waterproof? I've seen a couple of other cob videos where they have to coat it in the boiled linseed oil in order for it to become waterproof. I always had the impression that cob was waterproof without having to do that. Thank you for making this video!
THANK YOU! You answered so many of my questions!
so much valuable informations, thanks :)
Lovely ! I thank you. Bless you
Do I add water prior to adding straw?
I understand the use of straw but what about hay,hemp or just dried grass clipped from the lawn?
Only in Phoenix Arizona nobody knows what concrete sand is, I keep getting referred to lowes/home depot for quickrete everytime i ask for concrete sand...smh
Could you use hemp fibre or sugar cane fibre instead of straw?
Hello I live in the Caribbean. We do not have straw. Can I use coconut fiber (coir)? There is also a type of reed that the indigenous people used to make roof. It is still used in traditional houses. Would this be considered to have the qualities of hay/ grass or straw? Thank you. Blessings
Yes, I think the coconut fiber should work well. Its worth trying it.
we do not have much of an abundance of straw in Maine and to have it trucked from other states is there any alternative that could be used? Many parts of Maine also have a low clay content, our soil is referred to sometimes as black gold because it is awesome for growing plants.
Can grass or chipped wood be used instead of straw?
Chipped wood can be used, but more for internal faces and partition walls. Grass is good if you let it grow full hieght, let the seed drop and scythe mow it down in the Winter before it collapses. Then it's wild straw. Makes good rope too.
Thanks learned a lot.
I have been watching your videos for more than a year now and have learned a lot. Based on your recommendations, I made a test brick out from the material dug from the site. Is it necessary to add sand if say the ratio is 15/75 - 20/80 clay to sand? Also, the straw abundant here is rice straw, with the tensile strength that you described, it is a pass for me. However I am not sure if that is the right fiber to use. Do I need to experiment with other fibrous materials found around the site? Thanks in advance. You rock!
Hey, thanks!
You might need to add a little sand to your mix still. I'd recommend doing several test batches, making test bricks, and seeing how they dry. This is the best way to determine if your mix is good or not.
Where can I buy soil?? Can I find it homedepot
Good information....Thanks ,
How best do you rid the soil of stones? Industrial sieve?
You can prop up a metal screen and shovel loads at the top. As it falls it seperates the stones. Good luck
what about pesticides in straw????
Do you think I could use straw from rice..? I'm in a tropical place and don't have access to the typical wheat straw.
Very possible. Worth experimenting with.
Thanku
What about using pine straw . Ahh I can smell it now .
Thanks
What kind of soiĺ? Any soiĺ?
About much hay do you need per square footage? JUST KIDDING! Straw! You mentioned about how much concrete sand but not straw.
Is cob synonymous to earthship bag
Earthships are different. Earthbag/superadobe is different too. Not sure which one you meant though.
Is it clay that makes it crack?
Yes, indeed. Too much clay in your mix will cause cracking. This is the usual cause. Sometimes adding too much water to your mix can also cause cracking. As it dries, it creates a void where all the water was taking up.
@@thiscobhouse When excess clay is added it is said to be too rich, you need to add a modified sand mixture to give it strength. If you add an excess amount of water your mix will be weaken.
The ratio when mixing brick mortar is 3:1( 3 sand to 1 mortar) a single wheelbarrow mix is 24 shovel's full of sand to 8 shovel's full of mortar. When adding water, fill a 5 gallon bucket full and add only what you need.
can i also add lime to the ingredients?
yes, but preferably with tonic and gin
Lime burns the skin so probably better to not use for the cob mix. I think it's good as a finishing plaster though.
@@HouseFairyDIY Hydrated lime is used in mortar's to make it more pliable, you can use that.
thanks a lot
What are the ratios
I believe he said 20% clay to 80% modified sand, add as much chopped straw as you like.
I know when mixing brick mortar we use the ratio 3:1 sand to mortar add water sparingly. So if I were mixing cob I would add 3 shovels of sand, 1 shovel of clay soil and finely chop up a bunch of straw while keeping some small to medium pieces as well.
How about rice straws?
Johanne MAKAYA Laborde Yes.
well now i know why my cob wall is cracking, i found solid clay deposits and i went ham on the clay.
I have a practically inexhaustible amount of pure clay on my property. No stones, pebbles, or other inclusions other than some infrequent root material.
7:10 Looks like a party.. Lol. You could just use a concrete mixer?
A mortar mixer works very well. I have videos on this method.
@@thiscobhouse niiice
I live in Sri Lanka. That' south of India. I want to try my hand at cob building but in a dilemma as the straw that we have are stalks of rice paddy and these are not as strong as wheat stalks that is called straw in the west. Any ideas what I could use as an alternative?
bambu
check out straw bale buliding. rice bales are the best for it ;)
isn't cob kinda like Adobe
TrophRBLX Yes
They make these cob style buildings in afgan and they were baked in the sun so hard they were withstanding tank shells. No need for americans on this planet. Those days are behind us.
I'm sorry our military came to your country, but most Americans are just like you--living our lives as best as we can. Peace.
Soul, sand and straw but what ratio and I’ll leave ya be….
So soil, sand, straw, and water... and clay.
The clay is in the soil. Only need a small amount of clay.
I'm sad that clay is seen as a waste product :-(
Or go get it out of the desert. Sand is everywhere.