Finding local building materials

[Dagored154]

Re: Finding local building materials

finding building materials in central Pennsylvania, USA has been very difficult. It has been impossible to find a bag of fire clay to mix with the sand to set the fire brick in on the hearth. I ended up cutting the fire brick in half to get some clay to use in the first layer. that provided me some and was very time consuming. we broke a few bricks and beat them into powder which also took hours and sore forearms. That is just nuts! since I can't find fire clay to mix with the oven mortar I have switched to using High Heat 50 at $90/bag. good luck finding a local source for fire clay.

[texman]

Re: Finding local building materials

Try Larkin Refractory in Georgia. They ship anywhere i think.

[Dagored154]

Re: Finding local building materials

I have been on the phone for the last 30 minutes just trying to order some fire clay. I am instructed to put fire clay on the concrete underneath the insulation board. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND! I made my own by breaking down bricks but that took hours to just break three bricks. and I need more. this is ridiculous

[texman]

Re: Finding local building materials

call Larkin.678-336-7090 phone
678-336-7094 fax

[Dagored154]

Re: Finding local building materials

i tried tonight at 9 EST. i will try tomorrow.

[Dagored154]

Re: Finding local building materials

I called Larkin. they have the fire clay for mortar and is $14.50 a 50 lb. bag
Shipping it to PA would probably double that. thanks for the help.

[texman]

Re: Finding local building materials

I paid alot of shipping too. Only way i could get the right stuff. Have you done a google search for refractory supplies or Kiln supplies in your area?
I made a big order and tried to get it all at one to save shipping costs.
texman

[Dagored154]

Re: Finding local building materials

i did contact every possible place in the central PA area. I just found one local hardscape contractor that will sell me some for $26. I will be away for awhile and my oven project will have to wait. I will also get some fire clay in the meantime. thanks so much for your help. by the way I did get the rest of the materials locally.
question: do you think it would be alright to just use sand underneath the 3.5" soapstone bricks. the fire bricks will be on top of them and the splits will be on top of the fire bricks. a local builder of ovens sold me the soapstone and suggested the splits for the cooking surface. he is in canada right now and I cannot contact him. maybe you can help.

[texman]

Re: Finding local building materials

Dagored
I didn't see you mention any insulation in that configuration. The fireclay is used to bond the sand and take the heat that some of the sand particles might not, i think. Sand will work, but make sure there is an insulating layer in there somewhere.
Go ahead and start a thread of your own, probably in the "getting started" and you will get a lot of help from the forum on any questions you have. Post some pics so we can see your build and get an idea or your progress.
Tracy

[UtahBeehiver]

Re: Finding local building materials

Dagored,

HF Muddox has a fire clay product called Mortar "Clay", don't confuse with Mortar Mix. There is a distributor for Muddox products in PA.

Tri-State Brick
#11 Seven Neshaminy Interplex
Trevose, PA 19053
Phone: 215-639-6561

In Utah, this same material was $9.00 a 50# bag, I would think the price would be similar at this distributor.

[pkolonay]

Re: Finding local building materials

Hey Dagored,

Pittsburgh looks like it might be too far of a drive for you but here's what I have found:


For firebrick/fireclay/angle iron:
Atlas Clay and Metal
2034 Chateau Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15233
Phone: 412-321-1852
? Masonry - Pittsburgh, PA - Atlas Clay & Metal Products, Inc.

For FOAMGLAS and ceramic blankets:
Geo. V. Hamilton, Inc.
2 River Avenue
McKees Rocks, PA 15136
412-771- 0900
Geo. V. Hamilton

For vermiculite:
Where to Buy Vermiculite


Good luck

Paul

[coasterbuoy]

Re: Finding local building materials

Looking for a Forno bravo dealer somewhere on the way from Oshkosh WI to Toronto that has high heat morter IN STOCK.!! Special thanks to Forno bravo on cheapifying their 36" kit. Not enough fire bricks or morter to actually complete the oven... And customer service reps that can't tell me who has stock. After calling 4 of them I'm just pissed that I didn't source all the materials elsewhere. $&@$& you Forno Bravo!!! Venting complete!

[Dagored154]

Re: Finding local building materials

thanks for the tip on the source in Pittsburgh. I am originally from the 'burgh and will be there over the next few months. will check it out. thanks

[Rfieldbuilds]

Re: Finding local building materials

I have firebricks, used, clean, and in very good shape.
Randy
Rfieldbuilds@yahoo.com

[msylt]

Re: Finding local building materials

Hello
I'm Mark from MN. I'm planning on using Hi Cast from Alsey for mortar application. The inner, tighter joints, I will use flue set. Does this make sense? I talked to a manager today at FB. He seemed to think it would work well. Hi Cast is a castable fire clay. Sending photos of my progress. I used landscape blocks to build up the support and am ready to start the dome and arch.