Calsil supplier

[plottchaser]

Im having trouble finding thermo gold calsil 1200. I found some at 883.00 for a 4x4 sheet1” thick. I would need two of them. What other options are there? Im getting too high of a floor level to do 4” of IC, plus it is the best for water I will have holes in the hearth and upside down tiles.
thanks

[UtahBeehiver]

Check with local refractory distributors also Distribution International. It does not has to be Thermo Gold 1200, any CaSi board with a compression strength of abt 70 psig at 5% compression is good.

[plottchaser]

Can I put the 2” CaSi board directly on the upside down tiles?

Should the insulation board run all the way out to where the ceramic blanket would end?

What is best practice at this point on starting the dome? On the floor or soldiers around the floor with a cardboard gap between then and the floor?

[Giovanni Rossi]

Since it's been a few days and you may be wanting to move on, here's a few comments:

1. Yes, CaSi board can go directly on the tiles. For you and others reading this, the reason for "upside down" tiles has to do with using sheets of mosaic tiles bonded to a backer webbing. By placing them upside down, the webbing helps minimize pericrete/vermicrete insulation from filling the gaps between the tiles. Since you're using board, that's not a concern.

2. Yes, I believe the insulation board should be extended such that the ceramic fiber blanket rests on it. Either way, the idea is to surround the refractory layer with insulation. By extending the board with the mosaic tiles underneath the blanket, you protect the bottom edge of the blanket from moisture wicking up from the support slab.

2.a. 2" of CaSi board is really the minimum amount of floor insulation. If the cost of board is too high, consider adding a peri/vermicrete layer under your 2" of board.

3. I'll let others weigh in on the best practice for the soldiers. Obviously, assuming the same dome arc, resting them on the floor results in a higher dome at the peak vs around the floor. I had considered a more Neapolitan style build and would have rested them on the floor. Either way, if you haven't already, research the proper way to support the soldiers from the lateral force from the weight of the dome pushing them away from center.

Best of luck

[david s]

Whether the dome is built on top of the floor or beside it can result in the same chamber dimensions as shown, with the oven internal radius the same as its internal height. In both A and B the inner oven is totally encapsulated in insulation.

Advantages of A: no need to worry about precise cuts of the floor brick edges.

Advantages of B: perimeter floor bricks can be replaced if required.
expensive insulation board doesn't extend as far out.

(all insulation (board, blanket or verm/perl crete) absorb water like crazy, but all dry out to normal operating state ok)