My Old Kentucky Dome

[wlively]

Re: My Old Kentucky Dome

Your arch looks great. I would think that 48hrs would be enough.

I didn't trust my mortar skills, so I custom cut my vent arch and in theory it should be free standing right away. I took a deep breath and decided to test the theory,so as soon as it was complete I pulled the form. It didn't move and I couldn't believe I actually did it right the first time.

[Unofornaio]

Re: My Old Kentucky Dome

The arch forms can be removed now. Just be careful not to exert any upward strain when removing them or you may break your bond, it will not fall but you will see the crack along a joint. If this does happen you can always go back and fill it. then do the acid wash.
For these bricks you kept them pretty clean so all you would need was a ounce or 2 of acid in a gallon and a big sponge. Wipe the "bloom" (cement residue) off the brick faces. and then rinse with a vinegar solution of the same ratio.

[Ken524]

Re: My Old Kentucky Dome

The arch forms can be removed now. Just be careful not to exert any upward strain

Done! My form was constructed so I could remove 2 screws and drop it straight down 2cm. Worked like a charm.

For these bricks you kept them pretty clean so all you would need was a ounce or 2 of acid in a gallon and a big sponge. Wipe the "bloom" (cement residue) off the brick faces. and then rinse with a vinegar solution of the same ratio.

Thank you for the advice! I ran to the hardware store this morning and bought muriatic acid, gloves and acid brush. While I couldn't remove every bit of debris, the bricks brightened up considerably.

[Ken524]

Re: My Old Kentucky Dome

Started work on the hearth bricks this weekend.

I drew a template on 4 pieces of foam board taped together; cut it out with a box cutter. Traced a rough pattern on the garage floor with chalk then arranged the bricks on the floor (in hindsight, I should have placed my insulation boards down first).

I then traced the pattern onto the bricks with pencil and started cutting. I was surprised at how fast, easy and accurately the cutting went. The Harbor Freight saw rocks!

Next step will be to transfer the bricks onto the insulation board and cut the first course of wall bricks.

[asudavew]

Re: My Old Kentucky Dome

ken...... you need to slow down

I was trying to keep up!


Looking good though!

Do me a favor please sir?

You gotta tell me how you got your spreadsheet to be public....

Thanks !

[Ken524]

Re: My Old Kentucky Dome

You gotta tell me how you got your spreadsheet to be public....

I like easy questions!
Open your Google Spreadsheet then click the "Publish" tab on the top, right side of the sheet. It will give you the URL of your newly published, public sheet.

[Unofornaio]

Re: My Old Kentucky Dome

Hey Ken,

I just checked out your Picasa site. What is that a mini concrete truck?

[Ken524]

Re: My Old Kentucky Dome

Hey Ken,
I just checked out your Picasa site. What is that a mini concrete truck?

Yep! I put a post about it in the Tools, Tips and Techniques board.
http://www.fornobravo.com/forum/f28/...html#post13470

It was a cool little truck. About the size of an F550 with a mixer on it. The company has 4 or 5 of them.

[Acoma]

Re: My Old Kentucky Dome

That truck is a great idea. It would be nice to see more of this option with the cement companies.

[asudavew]

Re: My Old Kentucky Dome

Ken!

I was checking out your spreadsheet.......

You bought more bricks a couple days ago, and heat stop!

I'm thinking we are gonna get some dome pics very soon!

I wish I lived close by I would enjoy helping out.

Let me know how it goes!

The floor is looking good.

And I meant to ask... How are you gonna finish the sides of the stand and around that awesome brick arch?

Man, I can't wait to buy some bricks.
Maybe next weekend.

[Ken524]

Re: My Old Kentucky Dome

You are right Dave! Here are a few pics...

I finished cutting the bricks for the soldier course and arch (sides and top). I also tinkered with the profile of the dome. I think I'm settled on that. It will be 20" high (I like round numbers ). I'm to the point now that I need to move everything out to the block stand, cut out the insulation board, level the floor and start mortaring.

And I meant to ask... How are you gonna finish the sides of the stand and around that awesome brick arch?

Right now, the plan is to use an earthy toned stucco; like you would find in the American southwest. All plans subject to change!

[asudavew]

Re: My Old Kentucky Dome

Looks like you are having fun!

Looking good. Keep it up.

And keep those pics coming, because I'm learning from you!

[Ken524]

Re: My Old Kentucky Dome

Moved the insulation and floor bricks out to the "site" today. I am very fortunate (and lucky) to have a virtually flat hearth slab to work on. The Kaowool boards laid down almost perfectly. No leveling necessary.

The floor bricks were almost as easy. I used my bucket of reclaimed fire clay to level the bricks. I troweled/sprinkled it on dry under the low spots and tapped the bricks in place. This worked extremely well. I only had one or two bricks that wouldn't cooperate and needed re-cutting or replacing. I probably used only a handful or two of the fireclay (Is a "handful" a metric unit of measure?)

And keep those pics coming, because I'm learning from you!

Uhmm.... I've never done this before. I'm making it up as I go. Are you sure you want to learn from me?

[asudavew]

Re: My Old Kentucky Dome

Get much done over the weekend?

New pics?

[Ken524]

Re: My Old Kentucky Dome

Get much done over the weekend?

I started some mortaring yesterday, but my employer rudely interrupted me and I had to clean up and go to work (they don't understand the importance of pizza ovens). I plan on getting some work done today. Hopefully I'll have some pics.