My Old Kentucky Dome

[Acoma]

Re: My Old Kentucky Dome

Ken, it looks like you have straight cuts throughout the dome building process. Some have done cuts ranging from none to 3/4 sides. Please confirm how many sides you continue to cut, because the work looks great. We have some that wish to perfect the dome, some to get it done, some to learn along the way.
Acoma.

[Ken524]

Re: My Old Kentucky Dome

Would you have opened that last package?
Or left it alone.. i.e. "Hank's Style?"

That was a FedEx Jet in that movie. UPS doesn't lose airplanes or packages (knock on wood).

The "last package" was a SatPhone with a fully charged battery (had he opened it, he would have been off the island in about 4 hours).

[asudavew]

Re: My Old Kentucky Dome

That was a FedEx Jet in that movie. UPS doesn't lose airplanes or packages (knock on wood).

Crumb ... that's right.

I never get those movies right.


Yeah, I would knock on wood too!

[Ken524]

Re: My Old Kentucky Dome

Ken, it looks like you have straight cuts throughout the dome building process. Some have done cuts ranging from none to 3/4 sides. Please confirm how many sides you continue to cut, because the work looks great. We have some that wish to perfect the dome, some to get it done, some to learn along the way.
Acoma.

Rob,

I have used all sorts of cuts. My first few courses have cuts on three sides. The last course I did (#9) has 2 cuts; the left and right sides and a shim to prop up the back.

I use a piece of string and a broken pencil to work out my cuts. I made all the blocks for my 8th course too tapered (oops). I used them anyway. They were (barely) within my personal tolerances. As you know, Hendo, Les, Dmun and others use spreadsheets and formulas to cut their bricks. They're amazing; I don't have enough "Pills" to keep up with those guys!

Every course has taught me a bit more (my second oven will be perfect!). No matter who's ideas you borrow for your oven, you'll quickly get your own feel and building style based on your skill level and personality.

...and we can't wait to see it!

[Les]

Re: My Old Kentucky Dome

As you know, Hendo, Les, Dmun and others use spreadsheets and formulas to cut their bricks. They're amazing; I don't have enough "Pills" to keep up with those guys!

Ken - truth be told - I'm winging it. All my cut's are pretty much "eyeballed". I am only cutting one side of the brick using a shim. Have no clue on how many courses that will apply. I start in the middle of the course and do the left side then move the shim over to cut the right - kinda "divide and conquer" approach.

Your work is AWESOME! With the clean exterior, I assume that you won't be adding any additional cladding? I am adding the extra mass as I plan on insulating the hell out of this. I think it would be fun to go out the next day and cook something from the previous fire.

In regard to the "pills", I stated this in a previous post - it comes in cans.

Les...

[RTflorida]

Re: My Old Kentucky Dome

Alright Ken, I was your biggest fan until you mentioned no lost packages, although I will never ship with anyone other than UPS...I have "lost" a couple.
Damn shame about Hanks and that SATphone...Although I think he really enjoyed the alone time with Wilson.
Les, have you tried the pills in the brown 12 oz bottles?? My neighbor is the real addict, though.....he gets his in large silver barrels and keeps them in a special refrigerator.

RT

[Acoma]

Re: My Old Kentucky Dome

I think we need a photo of Les before he gets his refill on the pills, and of him back on them

[Frances]

Re: My Old Kentucky Dome

[QUOTE=Ken524;17816]I use a piece of string and a broken pencil to work out my cuts.

You have no idea how much better that makes me feel!

(my second oven will be perfect!). QUOTE]

Yeah, that's what I keep tellng myself too...

[Ken524]

Re: My Old Kentucky Dome

With the clean exterior, I assume that you won't be adding any additional cladding? I am adding the extra mass as I plan on insulating the hell out of this. I think it would be fun to go the next day and cook something from the previous fire.

I haven't decided yet. I thought it would be nice to keep the dome clean and use 3" of blanket on it. If it cracks, I can easily pull the blankets and see the extent of the problem while curing (assuming I go with an enclosure).

On the other hand, I really like your thoughts about extra thermal mass. I'm sort of leaning that way. I may go with an inch of HeatStop.

[Acoma]

Re: My Old Kentucky Dome

Ken, I get more and more impressed that you continue to provide 100% EFFORT. No giving up and shortcutting. With regards to formula on a heavily insulated oven for long heat retention, I am going to build mine with this formula. 42" Oven, Tuscan style.
Below is per side of dome:
Refmix mortar 1"
Insulfrax Blanket 2"
Matrilite 18 3"
Vermiculite 3"
Metal studs 1per side (2.5")

[RTflorida]

Re: My Old Kentucky Dome

Acoma, I see you got the memo to insulate, insulate, insulate. You may be baking for days off of 1 fire. I'm curious to see what kind of heat retention you will actually have.
Are you making an insulated door as well?

[Ken524]

Re: My Old Kentucky Dome

3 days of rain. Today's a good day to buy more bricks and plan an enclosure!

[Acoma]

Re: My Old Kentucky Dome

RT, it would be a good idea to create a sealent strip for door to dome entry. I do not see a need to insulate the door. I have not seen anyone else state benifits of doing so. Why do you think the door would need it?

[Les]

Re: My Old Kentucky Dome

Ken - Bummer! And 54 degrees, that's no fun either

Les...

[Ken524]

Re: My Old Kentucky Dome

I do not see a need to insulate the door. I have not seen anyone else state benifits of doing so. Why do you think the door would need it?

I'm going to have one. The Pompeii plans include some good ideas for building a door out of CalSil board, hardwood, or cement board (page 44). I think that's the route I'm going to go.

Once you are done with the pizza bake, the door will help the oven retain heat for baking the turkey the next morning.