Casa90 Build

[Cdubs]

Re: Casa90 Build

Les - I will be doing an enclosure but won't be able to build it right away. I figured if I put the vermicrete on top it would be able to hold up to some rain. Btw what is bailing wire?

David - I understand the guide has great info but Im looking for more detail. At this point I have memorized the guide and it says you should use A metal band or wire mesh. I have used mesh before and that is not what I'm looking for. I want something that hugs the blanket and compacts it. Also, what is a metal band..if I walk into HD will they know what that is?(probably not) It actually looks like the picture shows rebar..not what I want to use.

[david s]

Re: Casa90 Build

Stick to the installation instructions.

[Les]

Re: Casa90 Build

I sat in some tapcon's and used bailing wire. Are you doing an enclosure or an igloo? From my experience you will not be able to apply the vermiculite mix on top of the blanket - it wants to slump WAY too much.

[Cdubs]

Re: Casa90 Build

So I was finally able to put the oven together and plan on putting the insulation blanket on tomorrow. Ill be honest, I'm not very happy with the way the oven looked when i took it completely out of the crate. At first inspection everything looked great but after taking all 4 sides of the crate off it was a different story. I understand that there may be some small cracks but i have one going through the entire front piece (front and back). I think this is the down fall of having concrete shipped across country. Anyway, the build must go on.

Tomorrow will start my insulation phase with the blanket and two inches of vermiculite/cement mix. Does anyone have any good ideas on keeping the blanket down. How do you guys tie it all together?

[Cdubs]

Re: Casa90 Build

To be honest I usually "do" before I ask, but decided that this time I was going to suck up my pride and ask for advice. Without people like you I would be completely lost...thanks for all your help.

[Paul in Rockwall TX]

Re: Casa90 Build

looks good - I (like most others here) made lots of miscalculations and subsequent adjustments. I wish I'd started asking questions sooner so that I could've avoided some.

I think you've made a good move here.

Paul

[Cdubs]

Re: Casa90 Build

I took your advice Paul. I wish I had a grinder but the chisel and hammer did the trick. I was able to get through two side with ease but it seems hard to keep things clean. Hopefully I'll be able to put the dome together tomorrow..it's all going to depend on the weather.

[Paul in Rockwall TX]

Re: Casa90 Build

you could use an angle grinder with a masonry wheel. I used a 4-1/2 for cutting most of my bricks. with a small diameter wheel you'd have to make a couple of passes and it might not be perfectly plumb, but it doesn't really matter. I think it might be softer than you think, too. mine was 5:1, and you can trim it back with a good chisel and hammer.

you could certainly experiment and do no real harm.

[Cdubs]

Re: Casa90 Build

Being able to mortar the block correctly is also worrying me. I have heard that they make some pretty strong adhesive that some pro's have been using. In regards to the edges being weak, I think that my 3to1 ratio may hold up. I was looking at it today and it seems to be pretty strong. If I was going to cut into it, what tool would you suggest?

[Paul in Rockwall TX]

Re: Casa90 Build

I considered the same thing, but ended up going with metal studs. I didn't trust my ability to mortar the joints, and I didn't want to dry stack.

I think you're in the same place though. the vermicrete is probably not strong enough around the edges to support a 4" wide block wall on top of it.

you'd still need to cut away a reveal, which is pretty easy. a little messy, but you could accomplish it quickly.

[Cdubs]

Re: Casa90 Build

Paul - You are full of great info. Even though all of your solutions will absolutely work, I have to think that there is an easier way. I reaally prefer using metal studs but the more I think about it, it may be easier to use 4x8x16 block. I reaally dont want to do thaat for several reasons but it may be the only way.

[Paul in Rockwall TX]

Re: Casa90 Build

I would think 4 anchors per side to hold the track down would be fine. I would also use a 3/8 anchor, if you can get it long enough. go at least 2 inches deep, preferably deeper into the substrate.

here's a sample:
Wedge Anchor, Stl, Zinc, 1/2x7 L, PK10 - Wedge Anchors - Anchors - Fasteners : Grainger Industrial Supply

McMaster-Carr

If you can't get an anchor long enough, you can have a local place cut a threaded stud to length and set it into the hole with an epoxy or chemical anchoring adhesive.

Kind of a lot of work, but that's where' you are.

Pal

[Cdubs]

Re: Casa90 Build

Dave,

I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your father. Obviously it's almost impossible to link the two but it is absolutely something to look at. If it takes me putting on a mask to protect myself from a potentially harmful substance, then guess what I'm going to buy.

[david s]

Re: Casa90 Build

Cdubs,
I am probably oversensitive re carcinogens. My Dad, being a doctor, did some military service for the Brits when they were testing their nukes in Australia. He only made one visit, I think around 1960, but ended up dying of an unusual cancer in 1984. All the servicemen who served there are now dead, most of cancer. Unfortunately effects of exposure usually don't present themselves for 20 years or so. I try to avoid contact with anything slightly suspicious now.
Dave

[Cdubs]

Re: Casa90 Build

Paul - thanks for all the great ideas. How many do you think I would need to put in to make the enclosure stable? Also, how deep do you think I need to drill into the concrete slab?

SableSpring - thanks for the nice words. My wife seems pretty impressed that I even knew what concrete was. I kept on telling her that I was handy but too tired to actually do anything myself. This really has been a very rewarding project so far.

David - I didn't realize this stuff was so serious. You would think that there would be more written about it in the forum and on the installation guide. I will def be using a mask and gloves when I finally install it. I'm going to let the verm/cement mix sit for another day and then start the rest of the build.

Thanks for all your help!!