Is the Original CINVA Ram Still Available for Making Compressed Earth Blocks?

Reader Contribution by Dan Johnson

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<em>My wife and I are very interested in using compressed earth block (CEB) building techniques for the homestead we are planning in northeast Georgia. I know there are currently several manufacturers of CEB making machines, but wondered if the original CINVA Ram was still available. Also, have there been any new developments in sealing CEB walls against moisture?</em>
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<p>The original CINVA ram was engineered by Raul Ramirez of the Inter-American Housing Center (Spanish acronym: CINVA) in Bogota, Columbia, in 1952. The name “CINVA” has come to stand for most lever action presses that make compressed earth blocks (CEBs) one at a time, whether of the original Ramirez design or something similar. One of the design features of the original CINVA ram was that it could be fabricated just about anywhere a welder and plate steel are available. Local fabrication, compact size, and manual operation have made it ideal for international development projects and owner-builders such as you.</p>
<p>So, where will you find one today? There are probably a few companies still making them, but the only one I know of in the United States is <a href=”http://www.ferncometal.com/earthblocks.htm” target=”_blank”>Fernco Metals</a> in New Mexico. <span class=”url”>You could also fabricate your own by purchasing plans from</span>

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