Papercreters: RE: [papercreters] Rookie mixer?

Saturday, June 4, 2011

RE: [papercreters] Rookie mixer?

I wouldn't call myself a rookie, as I started using paper to build about
15 years ago. I just found that papercrete as you make it does not handle
our wet weather, so I gave up trying to find an inexpensive way to achieve
it. Standard pepercrete sets but never stays real hard here as it never
dries. So I now accept the fact that it needs to be protected from the
weather. If it's not in the weather then it doesn't need cement or clay.
It's like making mud brick with paper, but they are super lightweight.
The bricks are encredibly strong and lightweight, much lighter than wood,
but you have to make the pulp by teasing apart the fibres and then reform
them very wet to let them re-combine. It is a bit different process but
if anyone is interested I can explain more.

The first bricks I made when the kids where todlers and they had fun
building forts with them (dry stacked bricks). They where so light that
it didn't matter if the bricks collapsed on them. Now I make panels,
decorative freezes, bricks to build internal walls, insulation and fire
lighters from paper. Boxes, catalogues, magazines, just chuck them all
in.

Wayne

>
> So you don't put any cement or clay in your mix? What are you building? I
> made a bunch of blocks one time and forgot to put cement in. They were so
> nice and fluffy and light. I eventually used them in a slip form wall but
> would not use them exclusively. And I would think that with your rainfall
> they would disintegrate quickly.
>
> It would be interesting to do a slip form building with just the paper and
> water then use the int. and ext plaster to provide the water resistance
> and some strength.
>
> I have just put down a paperadobe subfloor. I think I started it about 2
> weeks ago and finished it yesterday. My truck was broken down for a while
> which set me back. Well anyway, it is taking a long time to harden up. I
> know it takes a lot longer for clay than cement but I'm not used to having
> to wait this long. Even the part that is 2 weeks old is still squishy,
> although it seems to be improving. I will be taking a workshop with Carole
> Crews in Taos next month on plaster and mud floors so want to be ready to
> hit the ground running when I get back.