Monday, January 24, 2011

WHAT DOES THE TEAM THINK? - Paper logs

This is a new 'regular' heading.

Similar to Prof's Posers, but seeking to tap into the vast seam of common sense and DIY innovation out there, rather than pure science.

That said, a hint of enviROI may creep in, still.

For Xmas, I was given a paper log maker, well worth a Google of that term to see extent of styles and prices.

This, I believe, was a common design sourced in our case (at a sale discount @ £14.99) here.

Now, as the video attached shows, it is not brain surgery. Takes me back to my papier mache days, if without the glue.

It's a metal box that you stick wet paper in and compress into a brick. Then leave to dry.

Now, I am fully aware that there are some aspects of this that will require effort, and to maintain the eco aspects, it best be human.

I am working on the compression side too, but production line aspects rather mitigate on this being too involved, or long in duration. Unless these things burn for a long time, that is a lot of input for about 30 minutes of fire, equating to a log of that size.

Where I am interested is improving the production of paper mulch. Yes, I could sit over a bucket and rip up old papers and card, but that is not looking a great option.

So far I am stuck in an electric rut, from the office shredder to the leaf blower to the twig cruncher.

I am just wondering if there is a brain wave out there on something hand-cranked, which can turn a lot of paper and card into a lot of shredded stuff. All to then make into logs... one brick at a time.

Oh, and from that video... not sure if adding bleach is that eco in the planetary sense, much less economic. May pass on that.

Addendum 1

Thanks to some nice early input in the comments, a new option in complement at least is presented, which I will be scoping asap, and will then report further: http://www.logmaker.org.uk/
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2 comments:

  1. Anonymous2:04 pm

    I tried using one of these log makers and found it quite long winded to say the least! The logs do burn quite slowly but you need quite a lot of space to store them until they are properly dry.

    Then I was given a 'logmaker' which makes logs quickly and easily from dry waste. These logs burn quite quickly but are great to help get a fire going (and to get rid of things like bank statements!).

    I've just visited their website http://www.logmaker.org.uk and see that they've now started making a 'wet logmaker', which is what I have but slightly modified. Looks interesting.

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  2. Emma4:12 pm

    Awesome - ta for the share.

    I knew a bit of collective wisdom would see this evolve nicely.

    Mind you, it also usually means another tangent to see me distracted in a whole new direction.

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