New 36" Pompeii at Bundaberg

[Gulf]

Re: New 36" Pompeii at Bundaberg

Gudday Steve
Yep it's a mile stone ....up there with the first pizza!!!! Problem is there's lots a work to go
Regards dave

But, "It's all good" , even the work .

[Greenman]

Re: New 36" Pompeii at Bundaberg

Yes, it IS all good. The journey is a pleasure as it the dome slowly reaching closure. At least then the constant climbing up and down from the stand can take a rest.

I am sure I read on one of the threads that someone was cantilevering the dome bricks with another brick outside the dome. I couldn't find it again but I have attached my take on the notion. It may not be pretty but it works and keeps the pressure on the bricks until the mortar goes off. At least I haven't been picking bricks up from inside the dome, yet. Still time for that though.

Might call this my anti-gravity tool.

Hopefully tomorrow will see the dome close.

A question. If I put a thermal break around 3 sides of the inner arch (2 sides and the landing) will I significantly compromise this by connecting the inner arch and the entry with brick to hold a chimney? If it does is there a remedy?

Anyway, tomorrow will tell how much progress can be made and if I have to resort to a form for the last chain.

Cheers ............. Steve

[Greenman]

Re: New 36" Pompeii at Bundaberg

Today was productive and the dome is now complete. It was a pleasure to put the keystones in place after much cutting and fitting. More facets than the 'Eureka' diamond.

Might have to give it a rest for long enough to catch up with the other jobs around the place. I did not realise that obsession was part of building an oven. It had become a bit like that as the dome grew up and in.

We could do with some sunshine to help the drying process get started but it is unusually scarce lately. Next week maybe.

Thanks for the advice that helped get me this far.

Cheers

Steve

[UtahBeehiver]

Re: New 36" Pompeii at Bundaberg

good feeling, huh!

[Greenman]

Re: New 36" Pompeii at Bundaberg

An excellent feeling Russell. It is a very satisfying endeavour.

Cheers............Steve

[deejayoh]

Re: New 36" Pompeii at Bundaberg

A question. If I put a thermal break around 3 sides of the inner arch (2 sides and the landing) will I significantly compromise this by connecting the inner arch and the entry with brick to hold a chimney? If it does is there a remedy?

Congrats on closing the dome Steve. I remember how good this felt.

As to your question - you can build your entry arch as a freestanding unit next to your inner arch. If you buttress it, it will be more than strong enough to hold your chimney. No need to tie it to your dome.

The tricky part is figuring out how you are going to construct it so that you can seal the gap. Some builders leave a flat plane shaped gap between the two arches and then stuff it with CF rope. That seems to work well. I got a bit fancier and cut the edge bricks so that they overlapped my inner arch by about an inch and left an "L" shaped gap, and then stuffed that. It also works but given the fact that the simpler approach seems to be working for others it was probably unnecessary.

[Greenman]

Re: New 36" Pompeii at Bundaberg

Thanks Deejayoh, it is a 'feel good' moment -

I intended to use stainless steel RHS for the thermal break, set on vermicrete under the floor section and packed up with CF rope on the sides.

The bit I don't get is attaching the chimney. I had intended to cut a semicircle out of 2 firebricks to accommodate the bottom of the ss chimney pipe.

To do that I figure that it has to rest/be attached on the top of the inner arch if the vent is to be immediately adjacent to the centre of the arch. Would bedding the bricks where they join the inner arch in vermicrete provide adequate insulation to stop heat travelling from the dome to the entry when the door is closed to preserve heat?

This is probably simple enough but at the moment the bulb has not popped for me.

Any assistance would be appreciated.

Cheers.......... Steve

[Greenman]

Re: New 36" Pompeii at Bundaberg

Things are still moving along, inner door ready to assemble when I get some CF to stuff it with and about to start the outer arch etc.

Brickie, can you assist with some further information . You have mentioned buttressing arches a couple of times. I have searched for some idea of how this could be done and now feel qualified to shore up the leaning tower of Pisa but wouldn't have a clue about the arch on the forno. Would you be able to share some knowledge on the subject with us.

Thanks in advance.

Cheers...........Steve

[brickie in oz]

Re: New 36" Pompeii at Bundaberg

Brilliant website with all manner of info on it about arches, vaults etc.

[Bacterium]

Re: New 36" Pompeii at Bundaberg

Great reading in there brickie
About to design my outer arch and build in a couple weeks so interested in this point.

So in this instance ...... I assume Steve will build a similar shaped arch to his inner one. Effectively the "straight" sides of his arch is where the force wants to push outwards .... But it is supported by the point where it sits inside or part of the dome chains.....so effectively this is buttressed that way.
But
Once you build the outside arch you don't have this "side ways" support and need to do it somehow.

So if I'm on the right track here.....
If you have an outer arch that is a rounded style (eg. Not "straight side") the force (or weak point) is down the bottom......so what will happen is the bottom course brick (one each side) will need support (buttressed) sideways of them.

.......or am I on a branch that will see brickies chainsaw come out......which you all get the fun of watching me plummet earthward......dont worry I will enjoy the view on the way down..

[brickie in oz]

Re: New 36" Pompeii at Bundaberg

But
Once you build the outside arch you don't have this "side ways" support and need to do it somehow.

Correct.

[Greenman]

Re: New 36" Pompeii at Bundaberg

Thanks Brickie - Only had a cursory look at that site so far but will scour it later this evening. It certainly is comprehensive.

I built the front arch today and it is isolated with stainless RHS so it is freestanding. I have room to buttress the straight sides. Any advise about how far up I would need to go?

As you can see, I am know little of bricklaying. I have a newfound respect for that trade. My previous experience with bricks was contemplating their use as a projectile. Somehow the dome was different, sorta like stacking rather than laying. Easier to build a heap than a straight wall.

Anyway, this is my progress picture and I now have a shiny stainless flue pipe ready to go. Can nearly smell the smoke!

Cheers............Steve

[brickie in oz]

Re: New 36" Pompeii at Bundaberg

Are you going to add a decorative brick front at all?

[Greenman]

Re: New 36" Pompeii at Bundaberg

I think I will need to to tidy things up after I buttress the arch. Best I can work out I need provide support up to the brick the arch rests on. That will leave it a bit chunky out front.

I have some red bricks that are as hard as nails and thought about doing something with them. A veneer of some sort. I don't have any experience in decorative brickwork. Might have to look through some more pics for inspiration.

The flue pipe has improved the look of things as well. Reasonably priced at a local sheet metal shop at $85 for 1 metre of 8" stainless.

The bricks stacked up on the side of the entry are dry run thinking about shoring up the arch.

I would welcome any suggestions.

Cheers......... Steve

[Greenman]

Re: New 36" Pompeii at Bundaberg

A lesson learned. After much agonising I dismantled the arch and started again with pillars at the entry that will handle the arch, adequately I think.

All part of the journey, a small detour.

Version 2 looks better anyway.

Cheers.............. Steve