What's the best way to make Gambions

[Jeff]

I have made them, but I chose to use brass wire ruffed up to look like twigs and then used solder for the basket weaving part. I some times use a couple of thickness of it to make it look a little more organic. It takes a little time, but it looks good. You do it in the same way described above.

 

[Einion]

What do you use it for Mate?

Baking. It's an additional raising agent, when combined with baking soda it provides the acid to the soda's alkali; so for scones for example if don't have any buttermilk it'll help ensure a rise. It's also useful for stabilising beaten egg whites.

Grab the stuff in your cupboard Enion and give it a go, you might learn something.

I'm all for trying new things, I recommend it all the time. What I was curious about is the purpose it serves in the mix.

It makes total sense for snow, I use baking soda in just the same way, I can't see the advantage for an earth or mud mixture though. What does it add over the same formula minus the cream of tartar? If it adds something specific I'm all for it (that's why I sometimes use Polyfilla, sometimes don't - not an arbitrary decision, it makes the mix look and behave differently).

...abject poverty otherwise known as "forced scratch building"

Often the best motivation

BTW... gabions or gambions? Perhaps I can learn two things today

I've always known them as gabions. And FWIW the source word has no m.

Einion

 

[Mark S]

I'm all for trying new things, I recommend it all the time. What I was curious about is the purpose it serves in the mix.

That is indeed a very good question Enion, and may I take this opportunity to say how happy I am to hear you're keen to learn.
I can reveal that Cream of Tartar does add a certain 'jene sais quoi' to the mix, that's for sure........Hope this helps, good luck with you're endeavours with this mix.....And remember keep asking questions it's the best and indeed the only way to learn...cheers.

 

[theBaron]

... I can't see the advantage for an earth or mud mixture though. What does it add over the same formula minus the cream of tartar?

I was wondering the same thing, Einion. I was thinking that added to a mix for groundwork, it might function in the same way as it does in baking, as a binder or stabilizer for a mix. I agree with you, that you already have a successful mixture, then it's a curiosity and not an imperative to try it. Something interesting, to file alway for future reference.

To the main topic, making your own gabions, I haven't tried, myself, because I have a couple of sets from Armand, good enough for my purposes. But I've had a proof-of-concept that I wanted to try, similar to methods mentioned about, except that I would use a disk, either of wood or putty, with holes for the branches, then toothpicks (cocktail sticks, in the Commonwealth), very thin dowel stock, or thick wire for the branches, and bits of dried grass from the yard for the weave. I would fill the center with putty tinted for earth, and sprinkle baking soda and maybe some fine sand on the top. I haven't yet tried this out, though.

Prost!
Brad

 

[Einion]

That is indeed a very good question Enion, and may I take this opportunity to say how happy I am to hear you're keen to learn.
I can reveal that Cream of Tartar does add a certain 'jene sais quoi' to the mix, that's for sure........Hope this helps, good luck with you're endeavours with this mix.....And remember keep asking questions it's the best and indeed the only way to learn...cheers.

I hope you didn't sprain a muscle there Mark.

Einion

 

[Mark S]

I hope you didn't sprain a muscle there Mark.
Einion

Well Einion, I did feel a blood clot shift a little, but otherwise I'm ok...........c'est la vie.
....and thanks for your concern....cheers.