my pompeii oven build

[myke]

Decided to sort of do a soldier course but cut the bricks to 3/4 of ther length and also at an angle so they lean in. did this basically so I cleared the floor level.




Second course added

[Gulf]

Myke,

That's a new "angle" on the soldier course for me. Pun intended . That should work just fine. It looks like your template is creating the space that is wanted between the floor brick and the dome. I can't tell for sure if there are any relief cuts in your template. But, if not it, it can be burned out.

[myke]

Sun was shining so cut and built up another layer finding the first few courses easy but slow



Temporary form in place



Cut the brick arch and laid dry as a test fit. also cut the rear of the arch for the next layer of the dome to stand on

[myke]

Arch built up with cement and former removed as soon as finished





Then up to the level of the arch





weather permitting will do some more tommorow ps all new bricks used up last layer so using all different sizes of reclaimed brick now so build has slowed a bit

[myke]

layer 5 added



joining with the arch

[myke]

Added a few more layers







wont be long now

[myke]

Up bright and early this am as at work later. the hole is closed!







took out the form and the I T

[ivancito]

Great work Myke, must feel great to know its closed. I should have my dome closed soon also. Look forward to seeing the rest of your build. Thanks for sharing all your pics.
Ivan

[myke]

Well its rained daily so turned my hand to making a door.

Its contructed of stainless steel (recycled from the scrap skip believe it was an old table top) with a ceramic fibre blanket inner. Unsure how it will fare and there will be conduction around the sides as they are welded but hoping it keeps the handles cooler and retains heat better than just a stainless steel plate. Its realy light and easy to manage just hope it dont warp with the heat.





Also put a couple of tealights in the oven just to keep the air moving and promote natural drying.

[myke]

cut off the excess paving flag and cut some L shaped bricks to cover it.also fitted a wooden sprag below to assist with the leveling



fitted the L shaped bricks and built the two support pillars.Also made a support for the arch



finished external arch and had a little drying fire as wont be able to have another until the chimney area dries out once fitted

[Saluki]

Looking good.

[myke]

dug some footings for the preparation area





weather was good so cracked on



looking at some granite worktops (second hand) on ebay will cut and polish myself

[myke]

Build cost to date
£250 960 bricks delivered 2 pallets
firebricks £45 for 36 new firebricks some insulation and part of a bag od cement fondue
firebricks £70 for 52 imperial firebricks new old stock local pickup
Insulfrax insulation 2" £40
Sand cement lime £100 up to now will need more
granite £30
£20 diamond blade for chopsaw
granite polishing discs £15 on route from china.
Metal work all from scrap skip ( peel,it tool,chimney chinamans hat for chimney,Rake,
Wood for forms and pizza base all recycled free timber
lots of free recycled firebricks from a closed local brickworks (got some extra free if you want to collect see sales section)
2 bags of Perlite £30
chicken wire free got a full roll given

so total is £600 not bad but will increase (paving ,sand and cement,timber for shelter (got some but will need lots more)

[myke]

Picked up the granite (from a kitchen removal) and cut some pieces for around the dome base



leaving a 2" gap for the blanket



cut the granite to shape (awaiting polishing discs to polish the ends) and sat loosly on the structure.



also had another small fire to accelarate the drying,

[myke]

laid some p[aving to match original



made a start on the shelter



roof fitted



shingles and chimney fitted (just in time as its rained)