Mortar or not to mortar

[pappap]

I am preparing to lay my first chain of bricks for the dome. I have read that this chain should be mortared to the hearth and I have read that it should not as the mortar might adversely affect the thermal expansion of the dome. I will greatly appreciate any input.

[Les]

Re: Mortar or not to mortar

Let it float.

[Mike D]

Re: Mortar or not to mortar

As in don't Mortar it.

[texman]

Re: Mortar or not to mortar

should the first course have mortar between the bricks or no mortar until second course?
Texman

[deejayoh]

Re: Mortar or not to mortar

should the first course have mortar between the bricks or no mortar until second course?
Texman

That's what I did. Mortared them together on the sides, but let them float on the base.

Note that I built my dome around the floor, not on it - so mine are not mortared to the floor on the fronts either. Just mortared together in a ring.

[pappap]

Re: Mortar or not to mortar

Thanks for the input. I think that I will mortar the sides only on the first chain as you did.