Category Archives: Building

Chipping foam

I borrowed my brother’s wood chipper to test chipping foam.  I think wood chipping foam will work if a screen is added to the chip exhaust to keep the larger pieces of foam inside the chipper until they’re reduced sufficiently … Continue reading

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To slant or not to slant

I’ve been reading stuff passive solar. I have to do something heartening. It’s cold and wet out and we’ve got family members on the way to add to our pet cemetary.  Katie will go to rest next to Koa, Stacy, … Continue reading

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Playing with house plans

Every couple of months I research new house plans. One of the site I love cruising through, even though not much changes there, is The Natural Home. I love the feel of those houses, though I can tell from the … Continue reading

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Spring? Nope, still the planning season

I think we’re getting closer to spring.  I’ve got daffs up and my elephant garlic is poking through the dirt.  I’ve got quite a bit of pre-spring gardening to get done as weather permits. Dan (brother) is still working on … Continue reading

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You know you’re not alone when . . .

I occasionally do mad spates of research.  This morning I was trying to find a comfortable and supportive desk chair solution.  I spend hours at a time sitting at my desk and finding a chair that supports me properly is … Continue reading

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Test fire

The day before yesterday Wadly and I test fired the sawdust stove out in the yard.  It really does work exactly as acclaimed.  We used fairly damp cedar sawdust (it’s what we had).  I had a little trouble getting it … Continue reading

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Sawdust stove parts

I took my concept for the bottom workings of the sawdust stove to our local sheet metal shop and they did a brilliant job of turning my concept into solid objects.  All this perfection (not the vent adapter which I … Continue reading

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Plans for staying warm

It’s going to be a while before I get the sun porch done and we can get our rocket mass heater built.  In the interim, I must have a less expensive (and quieter) way to stay warm.  Toward that end, … Continue reading

Posted in Design, Planning, Rocket Stove Construction | 9 Comments

RMH, calculating exhaust length

In planning my rocket mass heater installation, I’ve got some challenges.  The firebox is outside, the radiating tank is inside, half the thermal mass is inside, half is outside (sun porch).  And according to what I’ve been reading, every 90 … Continue reading

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Deconstructing foam

Wadly and I have been thinking through different methods for breaking EPS foam scraps down into the beads the blocks were made of.   I’ve seen and heard of all sorts of different methods being employed.  One guy used his weed … Continue reading

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