First Post here :)

[Lburou]

Re: First Post here

It's all here. You just have to look for it. I would start by downloading the free building plans from this site.

Would love to, where can they be found?

[lwood]

Re: First Post here

It's all here. You just have to look for it. I would start by downloading the free building plans from this site.

[mn8tr]

Re: First Post here

I was not able to use a pre-cast or purchase a set of plans. First of all I am by no means an expert except what I have learned from my own built/mistakes. This is how I was able to make it work for me.

I had some drawings that I had done and decided how large my oven could be based upon blending in with the existing landscape and hardscape. I broke the project down into various stages. I spent a lot of time on this site reading as much as I could about each stage of the project before I bought any materials.

Once I was comfortable about the next phase I would buy only the materials needed to complete that portion, and then repeated the process many, many times over.

Foundation, stand, slab for dome, dome, insulation, vermiculite/cement over dome, counters, stucco, painting, tile, finishing touches.

Every build is different so be flexible. This schedule worked for me but depending on the size, style and complexity of your project some changes may be necessary. Just have a plan even if it is in you head and go for it.

Enjoy you build.

[Lburou]

Slab and Base to date

I have poured a 8' X 9' reinforced slab and made the oven base so far

ADDED after the oven was finished: I came to my senses, modified my base and built a pompeii oven as close to the plans as I could manage....And, I'm happy with it. So, disregard my original paragraph below

Made a run to Mineral Wells, Texas for some used fire brick today. Planning to use 2" thick bricks for the floor (shorter heating time) and standard sized brick for the walls and top arch of a barrel oven (yes, I know a barrel oven is frowned upon). There is a whole mountain of clay there, the same color as the fire clay I bought last week....May take the pickup back and get some to use as fire clay. If anyone in the North central TX area needs used fire brick, PM me and I can pass the contact info on to you, there is enough brick for several more ovens available.

Will gather more materials this week and get ready to pour the slab on the base.

[Lburou]

Excited about this new project: A WFO!

A friend recommended this site and I'm happy to be here and glean from this specialized knowledge base and the corporate memory each veteran member brings to the table

Feedback for Admin follows -You asked for it :

As I look around the site, I'm interested in "Best Practices" for building a Slab, a Base, an Insulated slab under the oven, the best oven plans, the basic materials, tools and where to get them. I'm interested in pictures with captions spelling it out for those of us who are low on the learning curve. I'm interested in actual WFO plans, like the pompei plans. I'm not going to be a purist, but, I'd like to see all the plans available without any copyright infringement.

From a newbe's perspective, a formal Knowledge Base, or forum if you will, containing the best/most current information available to illustrate the major phases of WFO construction would be an answer to the needs of a newbe.