Compressed earth block floor and building

http://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/DMYF500-Compress-earth-block-machine_769674747.html?s=p

Would a machine like this be useful to make floor tiles? As well, maybe as blocks for walls? Retaining walls? Paving tiles for walkways? Using locally available soil, with some additions. If so, the high price tag might pay for itself, especially considering that it could probably be sold for 80% of the selling price after a couple of months of use, or, alternatively, be purchased as a part of a co-op.

In a word...yes...

However, it is a "business," and there is a great deal to it. Get access to a machine and spend a few days actually running it, and more importantly all the "heavy equipment" you MUST own and operate to make the machines actually viable on a commercial-professional level. I have used several, including the adobe block machines you find in AZ, and NM...its a business like any other...hard work, and technical.

Regards,

j

Thanks! I am not so much interested in starting a business as I am in trading sweat equity for a lower cost to my home and life - as well as to have the satisfaction to be able to say that I did it myself. My thought is either to rent the equipment or buy it and then sell it after I am finished, or even rent it out to others. Or even find a group of people who want to use it and then buy it together.

What are the limits to compressed earth building? I want to build a couple of walipinis - will compressed earth be adequate for a wall (if necessary)? What about flooring? Can they be fired and glazed to make water proof tiles? Can it be made water resistant - water proof? Used for retaining walls in hills? Outter surface of a house?