"gmedhouse@..." <gmedhouse@...> wrote:
Hello from Down Under,
I have been using a standard concrete mixer, soaked newsprint with
> eith portland and sand or just portland to make blocks. Still have
> some lumps (and it takes ages) but enough to get started with.
> Michelle
+++++++
HI Michele.. try getting some shredded paper, or cross shredded ( very small bits) is even
better. Law offices, copy stores, any office that must shred its documents will love to give
away bags of shredded paper, free.
I have used a simple bucket with cross shredded paper, a big paint stem mixer and
added water clay and sand next, cement can be added last. I use lime ( which changes pc
formula) but also you can then use the cement mixer if you can get the paper small
enough.
A old fashion wringer washer tub to agitate clay and water to make a slip and then
adding shredded paper can work as a base level mixer to make your blocks for the fort.
( in fact it was some clay artisans in NZ and AU using washers to make clay slip that got
other started) I have lots of fine sawdust and it is easily mixed into the clay slip and
makes a nice sludge which can be poured into block forms, or left to drain on a screen
and used as plaster, or left longer and used to sculpt in its doughy form.
a garbage grinder will make the paper pulped as you want it. people have set up a large
kitchen disposal grinder over a barrel and made pulp that way.. it tends to burn out the
motor over time- since it isn't meant to run for long periods, but for a small scale project
you can just get the paper pulped, and do all the other mixing separately.
I have heard boiling water or very hot water added to newsprint and a mixer blade will
pulp it, but haven't tried it. using energy on boiling water is silly, BUT if one can solar
cook the newspaper and water then mix with a blade that might work well.
office paper wont pulp easily in hot water, but newsprint should.
good luck.. keep thinking outside the box
Charmaine Taylor
www.dirtcheapbuilder.com
www.papercrete.com
------------------------------------
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/papercreters/
<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional
<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/papercreters/join
(Yahoo! ID required)
<*> To change settings via email:
mailto:papercreters-digest@yahoogroups.com
mailto:papercreters-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
papercreters-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
