The Badger Build

[Ken524]

Re: The Badger Build

Dick,

Very nice work. That's going to look great!

[gjbingham]

Re: The Badger Build

Looks great to me too. I'd take the opportunity now to fill in those voids in the mortar joints on the inside of the oven before it gets more difficult as the dome closes down and in. That's one of the things that I wish I had done!

[thebadger]

Re: The Badger Build

Mfiore

I took it out the next day. I was confident it wouldn't collapse but I did't want to take the chance of moving a brick while it was setting up...

Dick

[mfiore]

Re: The Badger Build

Dick,

Looks great to me! How long did you wait before pulling the forms under the arch?

Mike

[thebadger]

The Badger Build (oven arch/4th row)

Gang,

Oven Arch
Not perfect by any means but I think it will work. I used a form and some shims. Once everything was set in place I just filled everything in with mortar. It actually seemed to work out pretty well.

4th Course.
Not sure if my mortar was too wet but I had to start bracing my bricks! I was able to tie in the 4th row using an angle grinder on the arch to cut away what I didn?t need. I think this will work for the next course or two. As you can see I filled in some ?voids? with firebrick and some pieces of firebrick and mortar. Again, not pretty by comparison to others I?ve seen but it?s all mine?

I'm shooting for an 18" internal height. I'm using the shims I set out but I am worried my angle is too steep??? I can go lower than 18 but don't want to go to low - my front arch height is 11 inches. Let me know if anyting looks weird. I measured the height of the bottom of the 4th row down and it came to 12 1/4 inches.

Thanks
Dick

[brokencookie]

Re: The Badger Build

Talk is cheap!

With the price of flour rising, and the 5 pack of caputo at stake...Talk may be getting more expensive

Bruce

[gjbingham]

Re: The Badger Build

Thanks for that Bruce! I'm still trying to understand your post on infrared thermometers. Talk is cheap!

[brokencookie]

Re: The Badger Build

Brokencookie

Thanks - I dropped out of Chem 101 after the 2nd quarter and went to get my "BS" in Business. I don't think I got to that part (actually I remember hearing about it in HS chem but I'm sure I would have forgotten...)

THANKS Again,

Dick

No problem, I glad I finally had something constructive to add to the forum. Since my build is stalled ( until the septic work is done) I don't have much to say. ( I let George do all my talking )

Bruce

[james]

Re: The Badger Build

.... I know I shouldn't say this, but once you start firing it, you're not going to see the little bit of mortar here and there. Save your muriatic acid burns for the exterior stone work where it will show.

In any case, a good scrub the morning after each work day will save you a lot of unpleasant work later.

I'll second that. It's easy to focus on the inside of the dome when you building it, but once it is closed in and cooking, you will not spend a lot of time looking at the details.

James

[dmun]

Re: The Badger Build

If you're within a week of your mortar being wet, a wire brush and a hose are going to get a lot of that residue off. I know I shouldn't say this, but once you start firing it, you're not going to see the little bit of mortar here and there. Save your muriatic acid burns for the exterior stone work where it will show.

In any case, a good scrub the morning after each work day will save you a lot of unpleasant work later.

[thebadger]

Re: The Badger Build

Brokencookie

Thanks - I dropped out of Chem 101 after the 2nd quarter and went to get my "BS" in Business. I don't think I got to that part (actually I remember hearing about it in HS chem but I'm sure I would have forgotten...)

THANKS Again,

Dick

[mfiore]

Re: The Badger Build

Very sound advice, Bruce.

[brokencookie]

Re: The Badger Build

Dick
Be careful when you dilute the acid. Muratic is a trade name for hydrochloric acid. Always start with your volume of water and add the acid to it. The reaction is exothermic ( gives off heat). If you add water to the acid you can get a very strong reaction up to and including volumes of hot steam.I run a lab and we are always retraining chemists and techs about this fact of life. We have signs all over stating "ALWAYS ADD ACID TO WATER". Yet once or twice a year someone will goof and we will have to hose them down and write reports.
If you get some on you just rinse well with water. When it dries it will leave a white residue. If you wet the residue it becomes hydrochloric acid again. So,when you are done rinse it more than you think it needs. The solution is dilution.
I am always amazed and the wide variety of dangerous chemical you can buy over the counter. Most people have a ton them under thier sinks and don't even know it.


Bruce

[Les]

Re: The Badger Build

Muriatic acid - wear gloves and glasses, it's nasty stuff. You apply it with a sponge. Since you are looking pretty clean already, I would dilute it 1 part acid, 3 parts water to begin with. If that doesn't do the trick, go to 50/50.

Les...

[thebadger]

The Badger Build (Cleaning mortar from the brick)

Gang,

Not too much progress to report. I did get the sides up for the oven vent.

One question, I tried to clean the mortar off but as you can see there is a slight haze on the brick. What's the best way to remove???

Steel wool?
Water/tile scrubbing pad?
Chemical?

Let me know.

Thanks
Dick