Matthew Wagner

December 25, 2023 - Foundation layout almost complete.  Ready for a chimney installation.  Waiting on our Amish installer.

download the video attachment for a video explanation I recorded.

Well, I guess this post needs many updates…

Here is a photo timeline of progress on our project:

I needed to take some measurements of our mocked up system outside for the foundation layout.

thomas rubino wrote:Hi Matthew;
A cfb core would not require extra insulation on the sides but on the bottom, I would bed it on 2" of insulated cob just to be safe.
The sides of your core should have a "support" backer such as clay bricks.

Thanks, Thomas, for your answer.  I have a few more questions (and some progress images):

By “backer”, do you mean multiple courses of clay bricks up to the top of the CFB firebox?

If so, would clay slip be sufficient between these clay bricks, or would I need mortar?

Thanks for your (or anyone else’s) help on this.

We are still working on our RMH build.  We were thinking a pebble-style would be the way to go but changed our mind and are going with cob.  We are working off of Erica & Ernie’s “Bonny Convection Bench” 8” plans.  

This plan is good for a suspended floor and has the convection aspect which will help heat more of our home.

The original plans use a firebrick firebox with 2” of perlite & fireclay beneath and around the sides of the firebox.  We are using the Walker SuperHot J Eight Inch ceramic fiberboard firebox.

My question is:  How much perlite/fireclay is needed beneath and on the sides of a ceramic fiberboard firebox, if any?

WOW!!!  This is so awesome!!  We watched the first half of LTLM1 last night and are on board for the nail-biting sequel!  Bring it on!  Yay earlybirds!!!

The site looks great Nicole!  Way to go!  It makes me want to buy a DVD that I previously wasn't interested in.  

The only thing I noticed was that the first box to the right of the text (the video container), was just a white box for a minute or so until the video thumbnail actually loaded.  I have DSL internet (slow).  I'm not sure if there's a way to have an image in there until the video loads.  I was wondering why there was an empty white square there for a while.

Keep up the great work.  Miss ya!

The earlybird bonuses are almost gone!  Don't miss out on these amazing bonuses.  They can be yours for as little as $1.  Can't decide how much to back?  Do $1 now and decide your final amount later!  Yay for procrastination!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/paulwheaton/low-tech

Stretch goal announced!



Click here for details on this awesome reward...

https://permies.com/t/211622/Greenwood-Apprenticeship-Mortise-Tenon-Magazine

A local farmer in my area created this great spreadsheet for tracking the productivity and expenses of his layer flock.  He has a few videos that explain how it works.  



Let me know what you think...

Andrés Bernal wrote:

Can you please upload another copy of this that uses less compression?  I'm seeing pixelation artifacts in the green Kickstarter button.