Adobe Block Partition Wall

I knew of other people who built adobe partition walls for extra thermal mass. However, I prefer the look of red brick to grey adobe for an inside wall. The plans examiner said a free standing wall of 4” wide bricks wouldn't be sufficiently strong but 6” wide fired adobes (which look like big red bricks) would be fine. I had planned to hire someone for the job. But the bids were either too high or so low I didn't think the guy knew what he was doing. I had helped a friend build a block wall and so I thought how hard could it be. It was hard, heavy work. Fired adobe's may look like bricks but they're many times the size. I was never able to lay more than ten per day, partly because I was so obsessive about plum and level. Still, it was kind of fun and I'm happy with the result.

Electrical Box, Wires, Conduit #1
Stove Top Lighter Box
The lower box is to provide a place for the stove top lighter mechanism to plug in. Cutting the groove for the vertical conduit was exciting, fun, and dusty.
Stove Lighter Box Channel Mortared In
Box Attachement
To anchor the electrical boxes in the fired adobe block wall I used concrete screws coated with liquid nails. Might be overkill.
Electrical Boxes, Conduit, Cables, Wires

Notches for Electric Boxes
I cut the adobes w either a masonry blade on my circular saw or a masonry wheel on my hand grinder. . . and saved all the pretty red dust for other projects.

Switch Central #3
I call this "switch central" because of the six different switches for six different sets of ceiling lights.

Switch Central #6
I call this "switch central" because of the six different switches for six different sets of ceiling lights. The conduit labeled "no cable" is empty and serves the sole purpose of holding the two boxes it attaches to in position.
Switch Central #8
I call this "switch central" because of the six different switches for six different sets of ceiling lights.

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