42" Pompeii - Northern Illinois

[I am Giuseppe]

Re: 42" Pompeii - Northern Illinois

Thanks for the respones... I hope to level my Super Isol board tonight.

[stonecutter]

Re: 42" Pompeii - Northern Illinois

So, if I understand you right, the Perlcrete will shrink some, so there will be a thin space for the sand/clay mix, just to level up any spots that may or may not need it. Thanks.

That's what I'm sayin. I also lightly tamp the top of the perlcrete a bit to consolidate the very top layer, so I don't get a bunch of crumbling as I screed over higher sections....if any.

[NCMan]

Re: 42" Pompeii - Northern Illinois

So, if I understand you right, the Perlcrete will shrink some, so there will be a thin space for the sand/clay mix, just to level up any spots that may or may not need it. Thanks.

[stonecutter]

Re: 42" Pompeii - Northern Illinois

I don't even bother with adding additional height to the form, because the mix with shrink a bit after it dries...you don't need a bed of material, just a level surface. 2:1 works...I don't have a specific ratio, I eyeball the constancy I want...so adjust it to suit.

[NCMan]

Re: 42" Pompeii - Northern Illinois

Stonecutter.....it won't be long and I'll be at the same stage. I believe I've read before that you like to screed the fireclay/sand mixture to set the firebricks. To do that, do you just raise up your forms from the insulating layer (Perlcrete) a bit to have something to screed to, or maybe just tack on a lattice strip or something like that to raise the elevation a bit? It seems to me that screeding it makes sense. Also, maybe 2:1 sand to clay?

[stonecutter]

Re: 42" Pompeii - Northern Illinois

That's another benefit of a leaner mix...higher water retention.

[UtahBeehiver]

Re: 42" Pompeii - Northern Illinois

You may need to coat the Super Iso Board with something to keep the board from sucking all the water out of your sand/fire clay leveling mix if you use water to quickly. Some people have had success with margarine.

[stonecutter]

Re: 42" Pompeii - Northern Illinois

You don't need to establish a bond with the hearth bricks, only create a level surface for them to set on. Don't add too much clay, or it will be tough to screed.

[I am Giuseppe]

Re: 42" Pompeii - Northern Illinois

Looking for additional guidance here…. I'm planning on leveling my Super Isol board and them once again my oven floor bricks with the standard Fire Clay, Sand and water mixture per the plans. Today my Fire Clay supplier was concerned that this bill not bond anything together. Should I be concerned? should I mix in some high temp mortar or portland cement?

Thanks in advance!

[I am Giuseppe]

Re: 42" Pompeii - Northern Illinois

Getting ready to put down my Super Isol board. Can anyone give me any intel on leveling the Isol board if needed. (Sand, fire clay ...etc.) I would also like help with the best way to level the fire brick for my oven base.
Thanks in advance.

[Greenman]

Re: 42" Pompeii - Northern Illinois

Onwards and upwards! Lookin' good.

[I am Giuseppe]

Re: 42" Pompeii - Northern Illinois

The past couple of weekends were productive for my oven project. I was able to get the block base complete and the hearth poured. I have purchased super Isol board for my oven floor insulation and am looking forward to starting on the oven floor and oven. Unfortunately I have some travel the next few weekends that will preclude me from working on the project the next few weekends. I hope to find some time during the week day evenings to make some additional headway.

[I am Giuseppe]

Re: 42" Pompeii - Northern Illinois

Yesterday was the day to build the base.
We drilled 1/2" rebar into the slab that extends up into the corner blocks, also used 2 pieces back to back 2-3/8" 3/8" thick angle iron under the blocks that span the opening. The corner blocks and blocks across the span were filled with concrete.
All went well and I'm looking forward to framing and pouring the hearth on the weekend.

[Greenman]

Re: 42" Pompeii - Northern Illinois

Looking like a good start. Power on.

[I am Giuseppe]

Re: 42" Pompeii - Northern Illinois

Will do…. I will need to peek. I checked out your last build….. Love It!