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building a cob mixer

Posts: 47

posted 15 years ago

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i have been experimenting with making a cob mixer for awhile, the best i have come up with is thin wheels loaded with concrete block to mash the cob, it works pretty well, wondering what others have come up with to make it where it is not so wet and makes it quick?

Stan Davis

Posts: 32

posted 15 years ago

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this could well be a stupid question..... but would a cement mixer do the job for mixing cobb?

Posts: 278

Location: Iowa, border of regions 5 and 6

posted 15 years ago

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Couldn't you use one of them roto-till thingajobbies?

Kathleen Sanderson

pollinator

Posts: 1579

Location: Zone 6b

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posted 15 years ago

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I haven't gotten to making cob (yet) but Ianto Evans and others who have done a lot of it say that a cement mixer won't work. A mortar mixer, however, will work, according to them.

A rototiller, however, I'm pretty sure WON'T work -- because the cob is mixed with long straw for strength and that would wrap around the tines of the tiller, making a real mess that would be difficult to remove.

Kathleen, who has no better solutions to offer at this point in time!

Jordan Lowery

pollinator

Posts: 1528

Location: zone 7

posted 15 years ago

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you all have two great cob mixers already at the bottom of your legs.

The ultimate goal of farming is not the growing of crops, but the cultivation and perfection of human beings. - Masanobu Fukuoka

Joel Hollingsworth

pollinator

Posts: 2103

Location: Oakland, CA

posted 15 years ago

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Soil, I'm not sure each and every one of us is standing on a tarp.

"the qualities of these bacteria, like the heat of the sun, electricity, or the qualities of metals, are part of the storehouse of knowledge of all men. They are manifestations of the laws of nature, free to all men and reserved exclusively to none." SCOTUS, Funk Bros. Seed Co. v. Kale Inoculant Co.

pahanna barineau

Posts: 47

posted 15 years ago

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it works like a cultivator except it is wheels instead of sharp pans, just wondering what anyone else has come up with, looking for the best for less without electricity or gas

Joel Hollingsworth

pollinator

Posts: 2103

Location: Oakland, CA

posted 15 years ago

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pahanna wrote:
it works like a cultivator except it is wheels instead of sharp pans, just wondering what anyone else has come up with, looking for the best for less without electricity or gas

I've read the most effective way is to take off one's shoes, pour a batch out onto a tarp, stomp it around, and fold it over using the tarp.

Still a lot of work, so I hear, but not nearly as much as other methods.

Ernie Wisner

gardener

Posts: 791

Location: Tonasket washington

posted 15 years ago

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hmm here is a more or less comprehensive list of mechanical mixers that sorta work.

Tractor
tiller
car
plaster mixer
cement mixer with rocks in
lawn roller

I am missing one or five but thats the jist

then we have the foot brigade and this all seems to work much better.

donkey
cow
jackass (who knew there was use for a son in law)
Horse
goat (s)
Clean humans
dirty humans
daughters (however; i have been told that these occasionally bring about the jackass's)
unihumans

and welshmen.

thats pretty much every mixer i have seen so far.

Need more info?
Ernie and Erica
Wood burning stoves, Rocket Mass Heaters, DIY,
Stove plans, Boat plans, General permiculture information, Arts and crafts, Fire science, Find it at www.ernieanderica.info

Posts: 278

Location: Iowa, border of regions 5 and 6

posted 15 years ago

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Ernie wrote:

and welshmen.

Don't forget the Irish!

Ernie Wisner

gardener

Posts: 791

Location: Tonasket washington

posted 15 years ago

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oh i didnt forget they are in the dirty humans category and sometimes the son in law category

Posts: 278

Location: Iowa, border of regions 5 and 6

posted 15 years ago

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Ernie wrote:
oh i didnt forget they are in the dirty humans category and sometimes the son in law category

Well, it shows your daughters have good taste, then...

Ernie Wisner

gardener

Posts: 791

Location: Tonasket washington

posted 15 years ago

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LOL

Glenn Kangiser

pollinator

Posts: 236

Location: Central California

posted 15 years ago

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Best I have found is my Bobcat, but it is in the tractor category.

I don't do mud between my toes.

- Glenn -

Eric Lyle

Posts: 42

Location: Llano, Ca

posted 2 years ago

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I just posted about this and was referred here. Thank you to whoever came up with the idea of using a rototiller!!!

Rototiller cob is super easy and efficient! I will add a pro tip, use an electric chainsaw to chop your straw while it's still bailed. Get a pitchfork and a wheelbarrow and some good gloves.

I am testing immediately plastering the cob while it is still wet it, this should be perfect for the lime plaster since it will allow a slow cure.

Eric Lyle

Posts: 42

Location: Llano, Ca

posted 2 years ago

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Muzhik McCoy wrote:Couldn't you use one of them roto-till thingajobbies?

Yes!!!

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