Acoma's Oven area

[Acoma]

I started my own thread, realizing that guilt was overcoming me from highjacking someone else's thread. I also want you guys to know how painfull it was (3 hours) using the stand up tamper for the side area, the type that pounds into the ground. I only weigh 190 and my body was spaghetti at the end. It did the job, the ground was solid. I then finished with another foot of soil and will not weight for the next storm to pass the sierras before tamping down (with the flat square type) again. I also decided to remove one layer of retaining wall. Now comes confirmation of the design of the oven area, to house the oven and counter area.
Uno, you using CAD when you post some of your design, or remedies for people? If so, I may want to get a moment of your time (if it's ok).

Acoma.

[Unofornaio]

Re: Acoma's Oven area

Sure what do you need? The program I have posted with on here is sketch up available from google just do a search and the download page will come up I cant remember where exactly I got it on google. I have the full version but don't really know how to work all the bells and whistles.

[Les]

Re: Acoma's Oven area

Robert - I'll respond on your thread - I too was a little guilty of the last hijacked thread. I only got 1/2 of the 4th row in last Sunday. When I cut the bricks in half the blade was chipping the bottom of the brick. I didn't like the way it was looking so I bought a new blade yesterday and started cutting again. With the storm headed our way, I probably won't touch the thing until Saturday.

Les...

[Acoma]

Re: Acoma's Oven area

Uno, my quest for your assistance will be soon. I will start checking out the Google schetch up. I believe I downloaded it, but have yet to play around. Thank you for willing to help.
Les, don't you think with intermittent freezing temps now, you can still get away with dome work by covering with blanket at night?

[Les]

Re: Acoma's Oven area

My neighbor dropped off a thermal blanket for me to use. I think I will also put a 60 watt bulb inside at night - should be able to work for a while as long as the daytime temps stay reasonable. I don't think the mortar is a big of an issue as me - I hate the cold. That's probably why I have several links to Costa Rica

Les...

[Unofornaio]

Re: Acoma's Oven area

When I worked with my Dad in PA we did a few jobs during the winter (a rare occurrence) where we added antifreeze to the mortar for blocks and brick. I have no idea what the ratio is but this is a common practice in colder regions. I realize you cannot do it with the dome construction but I though it might be an interesting factoid. Thats funny Les I'm just now saying thank god summer is over and the cool weather is here. After a typical Bakersfield summer I ready for some nice cool weather.

My philosophy on the weather is once you are down to your swim trunks in the hot weather there is not much more you can talk off (without getting arrested) or go inside, but in the cold you can always put on another layer. Not that our temps here get THAT cold, what 40 deg in the dead of winter woooow frost bite. Its so funny the ridge route that goes from Bakersfield to LA gets snow now and then and when it does you would think there was a natural disaster. The Highway Patrol (CHIPS) escort groups of cars from one end to the other during the snow..I could not even believe this but its true. They will not even let you go through if you have chains and they have closed the route. Yea closed it for like 2" of snow..that is funny. Then again it might as well be an Ice storm when it rains out here cause there are as many accidents.

[Les]

Re: Acoma's Oven area

Uno,

Bakersfield can get damn hot, but I went to school in Phoenix, and loved it. You CAN fry an egg on the street. I remember riding my bike and seeing tracks in the asphalt. In regard to your winters, doesn't the Governor declare a natural disaster when you get frost?

Les...

[Acoma]

Re: Acoma's Oven area

You guys are classic. Living on both sides as well, one can appreciate. Les, great idea on the blanket. Something tells me Winter will be strong. Uno, be ready too. You will get the rain.

[Unofornaio]

Re: Acoma's Oven area

Yep your right. last year was really bad I think we lost like 80% of the citrus crop..including my single blood orange that I was waiting for all year. Even my oranges and lemons were ruined we had 5 days in a row of freezing temps at night.

[Acoma]

Re: Acoma's Oven area

Ohhhh, blood oranges are excellant. Great choice.

[Two Dog's Brewing]

Re: Acoma's Oven area

The big thing we worry about on the central coast is the grapes.........personally I don't drink much wine as I would rather drink my beer, but any adverse conditions during the harvest or crush freaks everyone out here.

Then again we could always have another earthquake in town like a few years ago. The problem where I live is it does freeze. Usually every morning for a few months in the winter. We are by the coast but just on the east side of the coastal range so it will get down to 20 degrees at coldest.Then it will be 115 in the summer.