Category: 1 hour assembly

Hempcrete Stool

Ian Anderson

Hempcrete DIY Stool by Ian Anderson
Hempcrete Stool

Design and photography by Ian Anderson
Published in Fall 2019

In making this stool, you will be producing an unconventional yet efficient building material with both insulation and thermal mass properties. Made up of hemp hurd, lime, and a binder material, hempcrete (as a single material) is a natural and carbon negative alternative to the abundant layers of insulation, drywall, cladding, etc… that cover the walls of our homes today. In some ways, the simple instructions for this stool are the same as instructions for building a wall of your home with this material. More on hempcrete here. The simple assembly process takes up to 1 hour to complete.

Hempcrete DIY Stool by Ian Anderson
Hempcrete DIY Stool by Ian Anderson
Assembly

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1     Cut a piece of cardboard 18.5in x 44in (47cm x 112cm) so that the corrugated lines run along the 18.5in (47cm) side. Roll up the cardboard to create a cylindrical form.
1     Cut a piece of cardboard 18.5in x 44in (47cm x 112cm) so that the corrugated lines run along the 18.5in (47cm) side. Roll up the cardboard to create a cylindrical form.
2     Tape the cardboard together, forming a cylinder. Also tape the cylinder to a wooden board (or anything sturdy you don't mind getting messy).
2     Tape the cardboard together, forming a cylinder. Also tape the cylinder to a wooden board (or anything sturdy you don't mind getting messy).
3     Use your disposable cup to add 1/2 cup of portland cement, and 1.5 cups of hydrated lime (or 1 cup of metakaolin and 1 cup of hydrated lime) to the mixing bucket. Make sure not to inhale any dust from these materials.
3     Use your disposable cup to add 1/2 cup of portland cement, and 1.5 cups of hydrated lime (or 1 cup of metakaolin and 1 cup of hydrated lime) to the mixing bucket. Make sure not to inhale any dust from these materials.
4     Use your disposable cup to add 2 cups of water to the mixing bucket.
4     Use your disposable cup to add 2 cups of water to the mixing bucket.
5     Use your disposable cup to add 7 cups of hemp hurd to the mixing bucket.
5     Use your disposable cup to add 7 cups of hemp hurd to the mixing bucket.
6     Wearing protective gloves, mix everything together in the mixing bucket.
6     Wearing protective gloves, mix everything together in the mixing bucket.
7     Transfer the mix to the cardboard cylinder and press relatively firmly, filling the bottom of the cylinder. The cylinder will be hard to move when all steps are complete, so make sure it is in a location you are ok with it staying for weeks.
7     Transfer the mix to the cardboard cylinder and press relatively firmly, filling the bottom of the cylinder. The cylinder will be hard to move when all steps are complete, so make sure it is in a location you are ok with it staying for weeks.
8     Repeat steps 3-7 multiple times, until the cylinder is about 1/3 full.
8     Repeat steps 3-7 multiple times, until the cylinder is about 1/3 full.
9     Place a smaller cardboard cylinder, about 6in (16cm) in diameter, in the center of the larger one.
9     Place a smaller cardboard cylinder, about 6in (16cm) in diameter, in the center of the larger one.
10     Repeat steps 3-7 multiple times, filling the gap between the smaller cylinder and the larger one.
10     Repeat steps 3-7 multiple times, filling the gap between the smaller cylinder and the larger one.
11     Fill the cylinder almost to the top. The last mix you make, use slightly less hemp (6 or 6.5 cups). Pat down the mix so that it is perfectly level all around the cylinder.
11     Fill the cylinder almost to the top. The last mix you make, use slightly less hemp (6 or 6.5 cups). Pat down the mix so that it is perfectly level all around the cylinder.
12     Let everything dry for 2 days, and remove the cardboard cylinders very gently. Then Let the stool dry for about 6 weeks. Over that time, the hemp dries out, and the lime slowly hardens by absorbing carbon from the air.
12     Let everything dry for 2 days, and remove the cardboard cylinders very gently. Then Let the stool dry for about 6 weeks. Over that time, the hemp dries out, and the lime slowly hardens by absorbing carbon from the air.
13     Boil some water in a saucepan and mix in some all purpose flour, making a thin papier-mâché paste. Wait for the mix to cool, and brush it all over the stool. It should dry clear and help keep the hemp from flaking off.
13     Boil some water in a saucepan and mix in some all purpose flour, making a thin papier-mâché paste. Wait for the mix to cool, and brush it all over the stool. It should dry clear and help keep the hemp from flaking off.
Index
Parts
Hemp Hurd (Shiv)
Quantity required: 2.5 Cubic Ft (roughly 17lb, 7.5kg)
Hydrated Lime
 
Quantity required: 20lb (9kg)
Portland Cement
 
Quantity required: 5lb (2.3kg)
All Purpose Flour
 
Quantity required: A small hand full
Tools
Cardboard
Packaging Tape
Mixing Bucket
Protective Plastic or Rubber Gloves
Disposable Cup
Alternative Parts
Metakaolin
*This material is much harder to obtain, but it is a by-product of some glass production, so less ecologically destructive to use than portland cement.
Replaces: Portland Cement
Quantity required: 10lb (4.5kg)
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Extrusion Large Vase

Aandersson

DIY extrusion vase designed by Aandersson
Extrusion Large Vase

Design and photography by AANDERSSON
Published in Spring 2019

Hollow 80mm T-slotted framing is a natural form for a vessel. The extrusion process creates beautiful and functional grooves on the exterior as well as weight and material saving cavities on the interior. The full assembly process for the 9.5in (24cm) tall vase takes less than 1 hour to complete. Steps include applying a rubber pad and sealer to the bottom and filling the cavities with some epoxy glue. The parts cost less than 100 USD on average. While caring for your anodized (non-black) vase, clean and re-fresh water regularly to prevent oxidization.

DIY extrusion vase designed by Aandersson
DIY extrusion vase designed by Aandersson
DIY extrusion vase designed by Aandersson
DIY extrusion vase designed by Aandersson
Assembly
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1     Sand around the inside of the large and medium cavities near the lip of the aluminum framing, then wipe clean with a slightly damp cloth. This is so that the glue holds on tightly.
1     Sand around the inside of the large and medium cavities near the lip of the aluminum framing, then wipe clean with a slightly damp cloth. This is so that the glue holds on tightly.
2     With scissors, cut a 8cm x 16cm rectangle from the rubber sheet. Then draw the pattern shown in the image according to the dimensions in the image.
2     With scissors, cut a 8cm x 16cm rectangle from the rubber sheet. Then draw the pattern shown in the image according to the dimensions in the image.
3     With scissors, cut 3mm outside of the line you drew.
3     With scissors, cut 3mm outside of the line you drew.
4     Peel the backing off of the rubber sheet and place the on the end of the aluminum framing where you sanded. Take extra care to make sure all of the large and medium cavities are fully covered and press down on the rubber to make sure they are sealed.
4     Peel the backing off of the rubber sheet and place the on the end of the aluminum framing where you sanded. Take extra care to make sure all of the large and medium cavities are fully covered and press down on the rubber to make sure they are sealed.
5     Squeeze all 3 packages of epoxy into a disposable cup.
5     Squeeze all 3 packages of epoxy into a disposable cup.
6     Mix thoroughly with a disposable mixer.
6     Mix thoroughly with a disposable mixer.
7     In the open end of the aluminum framing, pour the epoxy evenly between both large cavities and both medium cavities, including excess on the cup sides. The epoxy should be about 2cm deep in each cavity. Then tilt framing slightly in all directions to help the glue settle. Let set for 24 hours before use.
7     In the open end of the aluminum framing, pour the epoxy evenly between both large cavities and both medium cavities, including excess on the cup sides. The epoxy should be about 2cm deep in each cavity. Then tilt framing slightly in all directions to help the glue settle. Let set for 24 hours before use.
Index
Parts
Black T-slotted Aluminum Frame, 80mm x 160mm, 240mm length
Quantity required: 1
Adhesive Backed Rubber Sheet, 12in x 12in (30cm x 30cm)
Quantity required: 1
Clear Epoxy Glue, Devcon Two Ton recommended
Quantity required: 3 (75ml or more in total)
Tools
Sandpaper, 200 Grit
Scissors
Disposable Cup and Mixing Stick
Alternative Parts
Anodized T-slotted Aluminum Frame, 80mm x 160mm, 240mm length
Replaces: Black T-slotted Aluminum Frame, 80mm x 160mm, 240mm length
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Translucent Fruit Bowl

Aandersson

DIY translucent fruit bowl designed by Aandersson
Translucent Fruit Bowl

Design and photography by AANDERSSON
Published in Spring 2019

It’s actually really fun to make this bowl. You are up against time because the hot plastic hardens as it cools, and while you can always re-heat and make adjustments, the ultimate form will reflect your quick movements to counteract gravity and the increasing tension in the plastic. The finished translucent bowl is roughly 13in (33cm) in diameter and it can be made larger by simply adding more plastic in step one. Assembly can be completed in about 1 hour and the parts cost less than 50 USD on average.

DIY translucent fruit bowl designed by Aandersson
DIY translucent fruit bowl designed by Aandersson
Assembly
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1     Place roughly 25oz of plastic pellets in a medium sized bowl along with 3 color granules of your choice and 30 white granules. Immerse the pellets in boiling water and let sit until pellets are clear.
1     Place roughly 25oz of plastic pellets in a medium sized bowl along with 3 color granules of your choice and 30 white granules. Immerse the pellets in boiling water and let sit until pellets are clear.
2     Remove plastic from the bowl with tongs or spoons. If color was added, knead the plastic by folding it on itself. Do this until the color is mixed thoroughly. BE VERY CAREFUL, the plastic will be hot and hot water may squirt out.
2     Remove plastic from the bowl with tongs or spoons. If color was added, knead the plastic by folding it on itself. Do this until the color is mixed thoroughly. BE VERY CAREFUL, the plastic will be hot and hot water may squirt out.
3     Push out large air pockets and roll plastic into a sphere. Place the plastic back into the medium bowl and immerse in boiling water.
3     Push out large air pockets and roll plastic into a sphere. Place the plastic back into the medium bowl and immerse in boiling water.
4     After a few minutes, take the plastic out of the bowl with tongs or spoons and place on coated butcher paper or a very smooth surface.
4     After a few minutes, take the plastic out of the bowl with tongs or spoons and place on coated butcher paper or a very smooth surface.
5     Flatten out to a roughly 14in (35cm) circle.
5     Flatten out to a roughly 14in (35cm) circle.
6     Turn up the edges of the circle as the plastic starts to harden.
6     Turn up the edges of the circle as the plastic starts to harden.
7     As you pinch the edges upward, keep in mind that the plastic will harden in within roughly 5 minutes from the time you began flattening the sphere.
7     As you pinch the edges upward, keep in mind that the plastic will harden in within roughly 5 minutes from the time you began flattening the sphere.
8     The profile of the bowl should look deep and rounded as pictured.
8     The profile of the bowl should look deep and rounded as pictured.
9     Lastly, pour boiling water in a pan and hold a portion of the bowl under the water for 1-2 minutes. Smooth the surface of the plastic with your hands to remove finger prints and small bumps. Repeat on the rest of the bowl and make sure to keep the water hot.
9     Lastly, pour boiling water in a pan and hold a portion of the bowl under the water for 1-2 minutes. Smooth the surface of the plastic with your hands to remove finger prints and small bumps. Repeat on the rest of the bowl and make sure to keep the water hot.
Index
Parts
Polydoh Moldable Plastic Pellets with Color Granules, 32oz
Quantity required: 1
Tools
Coated Butcher Paper or Smooth Clean Surface
Medium-sized Pot
Large Pan
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