Month: December 2017

Choosing a Safe Homestead Location

by

Prior to 1963, many above-ground tests were conducted on US soil at a test site in southern Nevada.
Prior to 1963, many above-ground tests were conducted on US soil at a test site in southern Nevada.

This article is a serious wake up call for those living in certain parts of north central US. You can see how the nuclear tests affected a large area and killed almost 700,000 people. The main point here is the need to research the area very carefully. I covered this topic in a previous article called Maps for Choosing Safe Places to Live.

Read more

DIY Low Cost Insulated Earthbag Scoria Blocks

by

Large, homemade, insulating blocks can be aligned with a simple rotating arm.
Large, homemade, insulating blocks can be aligned with a simple rotating arm.

I realized it would be easy to make giant earthbag scoria blocks with raschel mesh bags, scoria (lightweight lava rock) and quick setting cement mortar or glue. The basic block making process involves forming the scoria blocks in simple wooden forms and then curing in the shade. The dome is built using standard brick dome building methods that brick masons already know or knowledge can be readily found on the Internet and in books.

Read more