My Old Kentucky Dome Enclosure

[Ken524]

I fastened the studs to the top and bottom tracks today. Next step is to build roof trusses.



Also started my third curing fire. Sticks and twigs. Still no real heat being generated. My cheap-o oven thermometer didn't exceed 100F.

[asudavew]

Re: My Old Kentucky Dome Enclosure

I fastened the studs to the top and bottom tracks today. Next step is to build roof trusses.

Nicely done!

Also started my third curing fire. Sticks and twigs. Still no real heat being generated. My cheap-o oven thermometer didn't exceed 100F.

You better start looking for one with higher temps than that!



Dave

[Ken524]

Re: My Old Kentucky Dome Enclosure

You better start looking for one with higher temps than that!

I should clarify... the thermometer goes up to 600F. It didn't go past 100F in my fire. I'm pretty sure the top of the dome was well above that, though.

[gjbingham]

Re: My Old Kentucky Dome Enclosure

I tried to use a meat thermometer in mine for the curing fires. It too, failed to read 100 degrees.
G.

[Ken524]

Re: My Old Kentucky Dome Enclosure

Hopefully my FB Infrared thermometer arrives soon!

[sarah h]

Re: My Old Kentucky Dome Enclosure

If it's any consolation, I didn't get any real heat near the floor until about the 5th or 6th fire, when I stopped being cautious and gave it more of a blast. Up to that point, I had been getting pretty worried that I had got something horribly wrong ! Since the bigger fires though, and possibly because the oven got progressively drier too, there's been no problem getting it warmed up .

I still just have a dinky little BBQ thermometer with a maximum reading of 600F and it's obvious that my oven now easily gets beyond that - by how much, I don't know but all that really matters is that it cooks just fine - yours will too!

Sarah

[sarah h]

Re: My Old Kentucky Dome Enclosure

PS - good work on the framing - we're doing something very similar but have not progressed as much as you just yet.

Sarah

[Ken524]

Re: My Old Kentucky Dome Enclosure

If it's any consolation, I didn't get any real heat near the floor until about the 5th or 6th fire

Thanks! I was wondering about that... I wasn't worried yet (I'm still in the sticks and twigs phase), but curious when the floor would warm up.

I can tell the oven is working properly. I can definitely see it "breathe". A clear layer of cool air entering the lower half of the door and a smoky layer exiting the top into the flue. Really cool to watch.

[Ken524]

Re: My Old Kentucky Dome Enclosure

Great rainy day activity: make roof trusses in the garage

I cut a triangle out of masonite to use as a simple jig to assure all my trusses where assembled with the same angle. The roof has a 30deg slope (7/12 roof pitch).





This is my first project with metal studs. They are great fun to work with. The best benefit is the light weight.

[asudavew]

Re: My Old Kentucky Dome Enclosure

Nice trusses Ken.

How long did that take ya?
And how did you cut those metal studs? Tin snips?

Looking good man.

Can't wait to see how close your actual enclosure looks like as compared to your photoshop pic.
I know it will sure will be pretty.

Dave

[Acoma]

Re: My Old Kentucky Dome Enclosure

Ken, don't forget the superglue for the cuts. Truly helps and will be needed.

[Ken524]

Re: My Old Kentucky Dome Enclosure

Ken, don't forget the superglue for the cuts. Truly helps and will be needed.

So far, only a few little scrapes. No superglue cuts yet!

[Ken524]

Re: My Old Kentucky Dome Enclosure

How long did that take ya?
And how did you cut those metal studs? Tin snips?

Thanks Dave. It took about 3-4 hours to do the trusses from start to finish.

As for tools, there's a good article on Family Handyman's website (my favorite magazine) about working with metal studs. It outlines the basics and tells you what tools you need. Using Steel Studs: About Steel Studs

I spent about $40 on the "must have" tools and have used all of them:

1. Straight Cut Aviation Tin Snips

2. Hand Seamer ("duck bill pliers" for making bends)

3. Vise-Grip Locking "C" Clamp

4. 10" abrasive metal cutting wheel for my cut-off/mitre saw (not pictured). The cutting wheel makes it a breeze to cut the studs to the right lengths or to make mitre cuts. Significantly reduces the amount of "snipping" with the tin snips.

[Frances]

Re: My Old Kentucky Dome Enclosure

That's a good 3-4 four hours of work you did there. Really prefessional! Looks as if your enclosure is going to live up to the standard set by your dome...

Frances

[Ken524]

Re: My Old Kentucky Dome Enclosure

I installed the first two roof trusses and chimney today.



Question: Is it OK if the metal studs come in contact with the double-walled DuraTech chimney?

I braced the chimney with some metal studs near the top of the roof. From what I understand the outside temps of these chimney's are pretty low. Roof will be metal. If you all think this is not a good idea, I can always reposition the braces and wedge some insulation board or blanket scraps between them.