First I had to build a sturdy workbench to attach the drill press to. Another trip to the lumber store!
Once I got the workbench built I bolted the drill press to the end of it and attached the stucco mixer on the drill press. I then made a small table to set the bucket on. after several tries I finally got the table the right height so that the mixer just cleared the bottom of the bucket for good mixing.
I am still getting used to using this to mix the papercrete, so it is still slow going. I don't know how much faster this will be than hand mixing with a hand drill, but it is saving a lot of wear and tear on my hands and wrists.
Testing the mixer
Looks good to me...have you gotten the paper/cement ratio to work?
ReplyDeleteI think I have the paper/cement ratio figured out. I'm working with small quantities, but I am using a mixture of 6 lbs of paper to 8 lbs cement. These are approximate amounts but they seem to be working for me. I am also adding sand to the mixture - about 1/2 shovelful per brick. I now have 44 bricks made and they seem to be holding up well.
ReplyDeleteI will try papercrete blocks at the top of my dome. I have used it as stucco and after it dried painted it with an elmers glue / water mix. I plan on some sort of water proffer and have been lazy with it as have had no rain but tonight I saw lightning so should get busy.
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