Thread: My Machinery Shed WIP - a bit different!

Looks good.

I'm in the process of building a retaining wall with tyres. What's your method for packing the earth right up under the top side of the tyre? I've been using a sledge hammer but it's hard work forcing it right up in there so that the wall of the tyre is packed tight.

I'm also thinking of doing some garden walls with it. Did you put anything vertically through the tyres like reo, or does it just rely on the weight of the clay?

Hi silentC.

Our original intention was to use a tamping plate on a jack hammer but I'm had trouble getting one made that would survive more than a couple of hours without falling to bits. The latest version is very solid but too heavy for the jack hammer to move. I have now bought a tamping plate from the US but need to modify the shaft slightly before I can use it. So, like you I've been using a sledge hammer. Yes, very hard work but one thing that makes it a lot easier is that I cut the top out of the tyres. Originally I did it to provide ramming room around the posts but now I do it to all of them. Really makes a difference. Just need to make sure that it is rammed evenly so the tyre stays round. Still takes 20 to 30 minutes a tyre.


There is nothing vertically through the tyres - just the shear weight and the weight of the bricks on top holds them in place. I do tek screw them together horizontally just to keep them aligned better.

I did get a structural engineer to OK this to get my building permit.

Rickey

I cut the top out of the tyres

Ah right, that would make it much easier. Guess I'll persevere with the sledgy then. It's not that bad I suppose. Good way to keep fit

I saw a house on Grand Designs a few years ago that featured a tyre wall. I reckon they would be more structurally sound than mud bricks because of the rubber. The only issue I guess is what may leach out of them over time, but if they're rendered and out of the weather, shouldn't be a problem.

Yes, we saw the same Grand Designs. Brittany from memory. Certainly for a retaining wall tyres are a very good solution I reckon. Do a Google on Earthships. Plenty of people building them and living in them. The compressed earth blocks or mudbricks are a great building material though. Very easy to work with compared to say stone. Walls will be rendered with a lime and sand render after they have been levelled with a mud plaster.

Certainly for a retaining wall tyres are a very good solution I reckon

Yes it goes good and you can't beat the price. They nearly fall over themselves at the tyre yards when you ask for them. Also got some free tyres for the trailer out of it. Sometimes people replace all four tyres even when only the front ones are worn

I've done a couple here now and we get something like pig face growing on them. Within a year or two it covers the tyres. No way we could afford to use blocks or sleepers on the scale we're working on here.

Are you putting lime or anything in the mud plaster, or is it just straight clay?

Just mud and a bit of sand to get them flat and then will do a lime and sand render. Probably 20 mm of lime render.

Looks fantastic. Hope you didn't get too tyred.

Thanks Wongo. High praise coming from you. (Luv your rocking horses). It is very tyring but as I'm retyred I can take my time. Key to it is to mix up the heavy labour with some light duties.

It is very tyring but as I'm retyred I can take my time.

I think I'm going to be sick

Take a sickie

Love the ventilation.

I like it.

Will be heading up in the morning for an overnighter to make some more bricks and lay what's left. Attached photos show the bricks I've made from the soil up there. Could be a bit fresh but a lot better now we have moved camp to under the shed.

Originally Posted by Wongo

Take a sickie

That's the trouble with being retired.

You never get to have a day off.