The Badger Build

[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

[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.

[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

[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

[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

Talk is cheap!

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

Bruce

[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

[mfiore]

Re: The Badger Build

Dick,

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

Mike

[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

[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!

[Ken524]

Re: The Badger Build

Dick,

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

[PizzaJNKY]

Re: The Badger Build

Dick, your oven looks fantastic. Can you post some photos from the inside? I'm almost at the same point as you, and am trying to figure out how to tie in the arch with the dome.

[thebadger]

Re: The Badger Build

PizzaJNKY

I didn't post a picture early since 1) one of my bricks shifted and 2) it's not as pretty as others I've seen.

Not sure how I'll finish but my plan is to use my angle grinder and cut away the brick I don't need in the arch. It worked really well for the first side bricks I set. The critical part seems how far in/out to put your arch in relation to the dome. I'm just hoping I got mine in the "sweet spot". I did clean up the extra mortar a little bit.

I'll try to post more once I get back to work later this weeek.

Dick

[PizzaJNKY]

Re: The Badger Build

Thanks Badger. Your work looks good to me. Nice and clean. My oven is a mess. Mortar all over the place, and I got a D or F in chemistry, so am terrified of using hydrocloric acid to clean the mess. Don't worry about it not being as pretty as some, it will always be prettier than mine, and bottom line is that I am sure that appearance has nothing to do with cooking performance.

[dusty]

Re: The Badger Build

Badger,
Looks fantastic to me. I am a proponent of the "figure-it out-as-you-go method." Worked great for me....always has. When my cource bricks came around to meet my arch, I just made it happen, then on to the next cource.
Thanks for the progress reports.
I'm lovin' the time capsule thing. Thinking of incorporating one of my own.

dusty