Clay for screening. Note how the screen has been firmly set at a 45-degree angle.
This allows the screening to effectively screen out lumps that are down to half
the size of the screen’s holes.
Brick making process using two concrete mixers. Notice worker screening
raw material behind.
Aluminum molds with sample adobe bricks. Left-to-right, U brick, O brick, and
standard brick, with a Half-U brick behind the O brick. Molds can also be
made out of steel, timber or high-density plastic.
Adobe brick workers tip freshly made adobe mix into molds. It's important
to fill the back mold first before filling the other molds.
Adobe brick maker packing the molds with fresh adobe mix. Cement-stabilized
bricks are lifted and stacked the next day to be stored on site.
Two people on either end of the mold lift it straight up. This can be done right
after it has been packed. They then leap-frog the mold down the molding run,
placing it in line ready to receive more adobe mix.
Hose down the molds after use. A brush may also be used to scrub off any
adobe that is sticking to the molds. Molds must be kept nearly spotless from
day to day.
Cement stabilized adobe bricks made on site. These bricks can be made in the
rain and just after one day can stand up like “soldiers” and be moved to a
nearby stack for curing. It is best to allow the bricks to cure for 28 days before
using them.
Adobe brick maker making special 45 degree bricks for corners.