Primitive Technology: Wet Season Destroys Thatched Workshop

Step-by-Step Tutorial: Building and Firing Bricks Using Primitive Technology

Materials Needed:

• Clay
• Water
• Kiln
• Wood
• Ash
• Sand
• Thatch
• Timber

Step 1: Digging and Preparing Clay

• Dig clay for brick making and drop it into a slaking pit.
• Record the amount of clay used with tally marks.
• Use 25 pots of clay to make 50 bricks (a full batch for the kiln).
• Add 4 pots of water to slake the dry clay.

Step 2: Preparing the Clay for Brick Making

• Take the clay to the workshop floor and spread it in a line where the bricks will be made.

Step 3: Making Bricks

• Make 50 bricks in about 45 minutes.
• Turn the bricks in dry weather after about a day.
• After a few days, put the bricks in the kiln for further drying.

Step 4: Firing Bricks in the Kiln

• Stack 50 bricks into the kiln in alternating layers of 10.
• Start a fire in the lower ash pit of the kiln to slowly dry the bricks before proper firing.
• Ensure the bricks are bone dry before firing to prevent breakages.
• Add wood through the upper firing ports for proper firing.
• Stoke the kiln for up to 3 hours until the bricks are glowing red hot.

Step 5: Post-Firing

• Take out the fired bricks the next day and place them on the finished pile.
• Load the next batch of bricks into the kiln for firing.

Step 6: Using Wood Ash

• Collect wood ash produced during firing for making mortar at a later date.
• Slake the ash with water and make bricks for storage.
• Calcine, crush, and mix the ash bricks with sand and water to form mortar for clay bricks.

Step 7: Demolishing the Thatched Workshop

• Demolish the thatched workshop due to rotting.
• Be cautious of mold spores coming off the thatch and avoid inhalation.

Step 8: Building a New Hut

• Use salvaged timber to build a smaller hut with a gable roof, 2m x 2m in size.
• Install a shelf in the hut to store firewood and keep it dry.

Step 9: Dealing with Rain

• Stack semi-dry bricks to protect them from rain.
• Continue making batches of bricks to have as many drying as possible.

Step 10: Conclusion

• Despite the challenges of the wet season, fired bricks remain unaffected by rain, emphasizing the value of bricks, mortar, and tiles in construction.

By following these steps, you can learn how to make and fire bricks using primitive technology, ensuring durability and resilience in your construction projects.