Because my ultimate goal is to build my house out of papercrete, and that can't be my first papercrete project, I'm getting there in small test steps. I would like to devise a generic enough form that it could be used inside or out. I did contemplate how to fasten the mesh or lath form together through the wall to prevent bulging which would allow me to use bigger less rigid forms . . . kevlar fishing leader was a good option, but a little tedious to use and max easy to strip the forms . . . SNIP with small scissors. Metal tie wire would work but is conducting and has other negative properties. This may not be a factor as plastering the outside has to happen. Regardless, I *could* go that route. I also considered cable tie material . . . just haven't taken it much further than what is possible. I've done a bit of looking on the net to see if I could find a magic pill for this . . . no joy yet. Something snip-able in 6", 10" and 12" lengths with a ring at each end would be perfect. Slide through the form, pin at each end, fill form with papercrete. When I start building the chicken house I'll get a chance to test these ideas.
I can afford to have the chicken house be less than a blazing success. The chickens aren't going to notice or care. I can also afford to have the pumphouse (subsequent project) be less than a blazing success, but much less so as I'm using it as a springboard to sell the county building permit guys on my house project. The pumphouse has to have a permit and I want to involve the permit guy (Andy or Alan, memory fails me) in the process. Because it's not a dwelling and pretty small (right on the border of needing a permit) I'm counting on them working with me on this alternative building material.
I'm off to the permit department this week to get a permit to move my temporary dwelling up to the house site. I want to talk to the permit guy to make sure I have all my ducks in order. Once I strike a bargain with the permit guy I'll start on the rubble trench foundation. Progress!
ElfN
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Sunday, May 04, 2008 10:15 AM
Subject: Re: [papercreters] Pulp production
I was thinking more like a steel grid covered with lath, no plywood involved. It'll still bulge a little and give a sort of waffle pattern, which might be interesting. If you plan to plaster finish the surface, it wouldn't matter and might give the plaster a little more tooth to grab. The form could even be made with a pattern like the ones they use to make fake brick or rock walkways.
Spaceman
ElfNori wrote: Thanks Spaceman! That rocks! <HUGE grin>
So the challenge is to find a material you can line the plywood with that will hold the papercrete in place and allow the water to drain out quickly . . . Mesh held in place by one of those draining floor mats maybe . . . The plywood will hold the mesh from bulging and the draining mat will allow the water to pour out unrestricted . . . Maybe concrete lath would do the same job . . . ? The mesh will keep the papercrete from integrating into the mat or lath.
ElfN
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