42" build in Virginia

[fabby]

Re: 42" build in Virginia

Hey don't make fun of brickie's drawing, he draws better than my 8 yr old son

[deejayoh]

Re: 42" build in Virginia

Hey Brickie - is that the Oz version of sketchup you are using?

[fabby]

Re: 42" build in Virginia

brickie, that looks really simple, will that hold up the oven? Are the cuts on angle is what gives it strength?

I think I would have to remove some of my dome to make room for a full size brick or my opening would only be 8.5" tall? Could I use a half brick with the same strength?

[brickie in oz]

Re: 42" build in Virginia

You can make a square opening from brick if it all works and fits, just support it temporally with some timber until it has all set.

[deejayoh]

Re: 42" build in Virginia

As small as you can without creating tiny brick slivers in your arch.

Plan on them being larger than you plan... e.g 3/8" is the goal, but be aware that you may need to cut down your keystone when you get there. Just the nature of things in my experience

[fabby]

Re: 42" build in Virginia

got it, thanks, I will try to cut some tomorrow.

[stonecutter]

Re: 42" build in Virginia

As small as you can without creating tiny brick slivers in your arch.

[fabby]

Re: 42" build in Virginia

What size mortar gap should I leave at the closest contact of the arch? How about at the top of the arch?

I was thinking there should not be a gap at the bottom of the archs but butting them together like on the oven? The refractory cement directions recommend no more than a 3/8" inch gap?

[stonecutter]

Re: 42" build in Virginia

Anyone try this using a grinder and diamond wheel?

I never have but mainly because I like to wet cut firebrick. Even low duty firebrick are pretty hard by brick standards,so make sure you get a blade that can handle it. General purpose are fine, as long as stone is among the approved material listed...these are usually better suited for firebrick. Keep a soft brick handy, and use this to 'sharpen' your wheel...a couple passes are all that is needed to wear the matrix down and expose more diamonds (or tungsten carbide depending on brand) which will really improve cutting performance.

[deejayoh]

Re: 42" build in Virginia

I think I will try to make a form and cut some bricks with my grinder and see how that goes. I like the arch deejayoh built with the fancy cuts. Anyone try this using a grinder and diamond wheel?

You can do it with a diamond wheel. It'll be messy, but it looks like your oven is out in the open, so it won't get all over your house like mine!

Build your arch support then dry fit the bricks onto the support. Draw the square on the front of the bricks. Cut them with the grinder, and then flip the whole thing around for installation...

Just remember to leave enough room for your mortar gaps

[fabby]

Re: 42" build in Virginia

I think I will try to make a form and cut some bricks with my grinder and see how that goes. I like the arch deejayoh built with the fancy cuts. Anyone try this using a grinder and diamond wheel?

[stonecutter]

Re: 42" build in Virginia

Also, if you choose to build it from brick, why not make a template of the arch out of paper so you can make adjustments to your cuts without having to slide brick in and out of your form? Then just lay the template down and dry lay your brick to fit...once that is done you can mortar it all together.

[stonecutter]

Re: 42" build in Virginia

If I were to make an cast arch, is this poured out of refractory cement, or is there a refractory "mix" for strength? Would I have to pour the form in place?

I don't have experience with castable refractory (yet) but, the way I would make that arch would be to make a form on a table, then cast it as I would a concrete piece. I feel that you can control the quality better than casting in place, and less chance of damaging the piece when you remove the form.

[fabby]

Re: 42" build in Virginia

If I were to make an cast arch, is this poured out of refractory cement, or is there a refractory "mix" for strength? Would I have to pour the form in place?

[fabby]

Re: 42" build in Virginia

Thanks for all the tips.

Deejoohah, your fireplace storage looks better than my whole oven

I am going to remove the rest of the supports, build a better side reveal, and then try to build some sort of arch. If that gets too complicated, I do have a piece of regular steel that my brother has, (not galvanized) that I can always go back to. I am not sure I can cut my bricks with my grinder and diamond wheel to fit this space. My cuts have been crude at best

Any other tips on how to make the steel work better?