Different kind of foundation. Am I crazy?

[ronwass]

Re: Different kind of foundation. Am I crazy?

Please follow the continuation of my build here:

http://www.fornobravo.com/forum/f6/r...res-19107.html

[mikku]

Re: Different kind of foundation. Am I crazy?

I don't know why you are diddling around with digging a bunch of holes that are only 3' deep! Take a shovel and dig the whole thing out...It's only three feet, around waist level. Then pour a single slab with rebar sticking out where your posts are supposed to go...Maybe 3- 1/2" rebar with an L bent on each end for each post. When the lower slab sets up, place your sonotube over the rebar, tie them together with some braces on the bottom/make a grid on top to hold them in place then backfill. You can have the tubes as high as the deck if you want. Once they are filled with concrete--you are golden!

but that is just my opinion...and wear gloves when you dig the dirt out, forget about a power auger. If you have frost working on the posts, it will raise them unless you have a slab beneath! I always had problems with decks in Northern Minnesota until I started doing posts with bases on the bottom.. Imagine trying to pull an umbrella out of the ground. That is the idea of the larger bottom base.

If you continue with the multi hole plan, the holes will probably cave in before you get them poured and you have to start again...

[Faith In Virginia]

Re: Different kind of foundation. Am I crazy?

Well if you got blisters with gloves then I suggest when you get that auger you get a large friend to hold the other side. If you hit a rock that thing can twist you up. Be careful!

My grandfather was in a symphony when he was young. I don't know where or which one. But I do have his violin and the local shop says it's a real nice one.

Al, I have no symphony for bad puns. ;-)

[brickie in oz]

Re: Different kind of foundation. Am I crazy?

Youll get little Symphony for the blisters around here.......

[ronwass]

Re: Different kind of foundation. Am I crazy?

Symphony type, but I dabble in everything. Thanks for asking. Blisters burned right through my gloves. Gonna rent a power auger for the rest of the holes.

[Faith In Virginia]

Re: Different kind of foundation. Am I crazy?

Try using leather gloves...they can really help prevent the blisters.

What kind of musician? Are you a rock and roll star or a symphony type?

I'm a big fan of old time Bluegrass but I listen to most everything.

[ronwass]

Re: Different kind of foundation. Am I crazy?

Thank you both again for the great timely advice. Much appreciated. One hole gave me enough hand blisters to want to rent a machine for the other 3. I'm a musician, so blisters are sometimes more than an annoyance. Luckily no gigs for another week or so.

[silvfox]

Re: Different kind of foundation. Am I crazy?

Ron, If your concrete pad is below the frost line you don't need gravel beneath it but it won't hurt especially if your in heavy soil, clay. Set the post on top of concrete after it has set. You'll be fine with 12" width if you take Faith's good suggestion and add more concrete around the post. Unless the ground is really dry just dump in a couple of bags of premix. It will suck enough moisture out of the ground to set.
P.S. We go four feet below grade here.

[Faith In Virginia]

Re: Different kind of foundation. Am I crazy?

Perhaps. The deck will add stability to the oven stand. After you build the stand and fill in the holes and put on the concrete slab on top, check to see if you have ANY movement when pushed against hard. Shake it like your trying to get that one apple out of the tree.

If your sturdy like a rock you should be fine. If you have motion you will need to add more cross support ( I think slvfox had a good description)

[ronwass]

Re: Different kind of foundation. Am I crazy?

Cool! Will do. Then three more holes afterwards.

Many thanks for the expert advice.

PS: Does anything change if I don't have stand bolted next to deck, and it is free standing a few feet away as I am thinking now?

[Faith In Virginia]

Re: Different kind of foundation. Am I crazy?

Don't need gravel. Height is not the factor for the 18". It's the total weight of the oven.

so I would widen the holes to get you more square inches of support.

I would put 6" at the bottom of the hole and let it harden (Just enough till to posts don't go in the concrete) before you place your posts.

As you build your base don't fill in the holes until you have the base built and in proper location and have it bolted to your deck. This allows you to adjust the position on top of those footers if needed. Once in place and plumbed and leveled I would put some concrete in the hole around the posts...don't need much, then back fill with dirt.

[ronwass]

Re: Different kind of foundation. Am I crazy?

My first hole just about ready for concrete. This is 3 feet deep. (frost line according to local building inspector)
It's about 12 inches wide at the bottom. Faith said 18 needed, but that was when I was going to build a taller stand that I am now. (I'm not going 18 inches higher than normal to cook from my deck)

I am going to put in about 6 inches of concrete.

My questions, specifically for Faith and silvfox:

Do I need any gravel at the bottom below the concrete?

Also, I am putting the post on top of the cured concrete. Not immersed in the concrete. Correct?


Ron

[BOOMERS WFO]

Re: Different kind of foundation. Am I crazy?

Ned Kelly lives!! Giddy up

[deejayoh]

Re: Different kind of foundation. Am I crazy?

Check this build if you are thinking about a wood/timber foundation.

http://www.fornobravo.com/forum/2/my...tml#post118667

[Jimney]

Re: Different kind of foundation. Am I crazy?

Thanks so much for the advice.

Well here's a picture of my lame mock-up so the wife could see what a giant oven looked like in the yard.

Created it in a matter of minutes with stuff lying around in my garage. Fastest oven build here I'll bet. Least functional oven though.

That is Hilarious:O)