Friday, November 18, 2011

Making Adobe Bricks in Putre

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After the bricks are dry enough to move, about a day, they are first turned over to dry more evenly, then put on edge to keep drying and to free up space in the yard for the new bricks. Then after about a week or 10 days they can be stacked on top of each other, or used for construction. They are very heavy.



But first, get a big pile of good dirt together, wet it down.  In the background, a good example of the walls or murallas made here, ie with a rock base with adobe on top. 

Then, clay must be added to the dirt, and mixed well. 

Next step:  add straw to the mud/clay mix, stomp on it and shovel to mix it all up.  The straw helps hold the adobe together, provides stability when dry. 
Shovel the wet adobe into the form, the consistency is such that immediately the form can be taken off. Note that 2 bricks are made at a time.
Cast: Mauricio (Mauri), Avelino (Ave), Sergio the Boliviano, Pelusa (Vontuti), and little Ratty the cocker.   

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