36" build in Tallahassee - AKA Bruce's Folly

[Bec1208]

Re: 36" build in Tallahassee - AKA Bruce's Folly

Thanks, it really did come together without much skill or effort. Bruce

[Bec1208]

Re: 36" build in Tallahassee - AKA Bruce's Folly

Gudday Bruce
Now that's starting to look very functionable !! Well done. What's the plan from here?
Regards dave

You mean there's supposed to be a plan?

Let's see,
Cut off bottom off bottom of door/arch template.
Mortar sides of insulation

Bruce,

When you get done trimming the Ca Sil to where you want, take your leftover mortar as you lay your bricks and render the sides of the Ca Sil board. The mortar will keep the Ca Sil from getting damaged, broken, dented while you do your dome.

Begin mortaring sides of perimeter bricks.
Start next course, then next course , etc...
Work out thermal break outside inner entry.
Transition, smoke chamber, and chimney.
Outer arch.
Oh, and finish oven door.
Not necessarily in that order.

Dave, what did I miss? Bruce

[Bec1208]

Re: 36" build in Tallahassee - AKA Bruce's Folly

You mean there's supposed to be a plan?

Let's see,
Cut off bottom off bottom of door/arch template.
Mortar sides of insulation

Begin mortaring sides of perimeter bricks.
Start next course, then next course , etc...
Work out thermal break outside inner entry.
Transition, smoke chamber, and chimney.
Outer arch.
Oh, and finish oven door.
Not necessarily in that order.

Dave, what did I miss? Bruce

Oh, yeah
Lay out ceramic blanket
Use chicken wire and round out dome.
Spread render coat to smooth out.
Waterproof

And create a vent to let water vapor out of dome without letting water in.

[cobblerdave]

Re: 36" build in Tallahassee - AKA Bruce's Folly

Gudday
Don't mortar you first layer of dome / entrance to the insulation .... Let it float so it will expand and contract without cracking anything.

Regards dave

[Bec1208]

Re: 36" build in Tallahassee - AKA Bruce's Folly

No mortar at all, or just at sides?

[cobblerdave]

Re: 36" build in Tallahassee - AKA Bruce's Folly

Gudday Bruce
Just the sides( sorry for labouring the point)

Regards
Dave

[Bec1208]

Re: 36" build in Tallahassee - AKA Bruce's Folly

Gudday Bruce
Just the sides( sorry for labouring the point)

Regards
Dave

Dave, again I don't think I can really communicate how much I appreciate your help. You may have noticed that detailed advance planning is not one of my strengths. On the other hand I probably wouldn't have started this if I had thought it through. I appreciate you keeping me focused and thinking ahead. Helps to know someone has my back.

Thanks, Bruce

[cobblerdave]

Re: 36" build in Tallahassee - AKA Bruce's Folly

Gudday Bruce
Sorry about the short answers I'm at work at this time of day. Sorry the shortness of the rely only mean I'm short on time!!!!! Not upset in any way.
You really have to laugh when you think about it , I am only on the other side of the planet from you and in the other hemisphere...... But the conversation continues
Regards Dave

[Bec1208]

Re: 36" build in Tallahassee - AKA Bruce's Folly

Gudday Bruce
Sorry about the short answers I'm at work at this time of day. Sorry the shortness of the rely only mean I'm short on time!!!!! Not upset in any way.
You really have to laugh when you think about it , I am only on the other side of the planet from you and in the other hemisphere...... But the conversation continues
Regards Dave

Wasn't thinking you were upset (just saying thanks) like mom taught me. I've commented to friends about how geography and distance seem so unimportant with the Internet. By the way, I highly recommend retirement. Bruce

[cobblerdave]

Re: 36" build in Tallahassee - AKA Bruce's Folly

Gudday Bruce
Glad you don't think I'm being short with you... And I do like your thanks.
What's this about retirement, your teasing me,seems like I'm working longer and harder as I'm getting older.but the plan is to slow down to part time work in the next 5 yrs.
I'm pretty well know in the industry and people are always after part timers so I probably will not retire but slowly fade into the sunset, so to speak.
I also teach , trainer/assessor, filling in on classes at the moment when needed.
I use to teach full time but had to give it away due to my then bosses sickness.
A friend took over the organisation and expanded into mechanics and building Its mainly aimed at giving basic trade qualifications for 15 year olds who are that time when they threaten to leave school.
The kids are still at school and we have them a day a week. It's as much hands on as possible and designed really to give those kids a chance to "kick some goals" and get a bit of confidence in themselves that they don't get at school.
The success is not just in the entry level trade skills but in those who actually go back to school so they can get better education and qualifications.
It's a honour to step a bit of life's path with these kids and hopefully see them stride off by them selves
Anyway end of a long day
Regards dave

[Bec1208]

Re: 36" build in Tallahassee - AKA Bruce's Folly

You are a busy man. I retired a few years early due to the accumulated late effects of my polio. Just got to the point that fatigue and other issues kept me from being able to continue in my job.

Sun is out today, but rain is supposed to be back tomorrow. Spent a little time this a.m. smoothing out the entry door shell. I put in a few rivets and used my angle grinder to smooth some of the rough cut edges.

I'll post my progress later today and add some pics. Bruce

[cobblerdave]

Re: 36" build in Tallahassee - AKA Bruce's Folly

Good morning Bruce
That's the bummer about jobs....set tasks, set times... But don't worry about that oven, its different it will just wait under that little blue tarp. God will deliever you a perfect day and the energy you'll find, if not stop and listen to the birds, that's good, no boss on your back!
Regards dave

[Bec1208]

Re: 36" build in Tallahassee - AKA Bruce's Folly

First the good, the door came together pretty. I ground down the rough edges and added rivets where the folds came together. I spread a layer of high temp adhesive to seal the seams and laid down a layer of insulation board. I think the door is going to work out well.

Now the bad. I mixed up a small batch of mortar and tried to mortar the perimeter bricks. I wet the bricks briefly before applying the mortar. The mortar did not stick to the brick so I added so extra water. Probably thinned it too much. Anyways, I don't think any of the bricks stuck together. The mortar is harbison walker 413 mix. Any tips?

[cobblerdave]

Re: 36" build in Tallahassee - AKA Bruce's Folly

Gudday Bruce
I have not used hi temp mortar so I hope someone chips in with some better detail.From what I have read. Hi temp mortar doesn't "cure" as such at first only drys off its water content it cures only after it heated during your ovens curing fires. So it appears the bond between the brick will be delicate? ( I hope that's the right word) till fired I suspect.
Regards dave

[brickie in oz]

Re: 36" build in Tallahassee - AKA Bruce's Folly

So it appears the bond between the brick will be delicate? ( I hope that's the right word) till fired I suspect.

Be careful Bruce that you have the correct product.

You need air set not fire set mortar, if its fire set the whole dome could collapse before you get the chance to fire it, and if it gets wet before firing it will just collapse as the mortar is washed out of the joints.