36" build in Tallahassee - AKA Bruce's Folly

[brickie in oz]

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

I dont have an answer for you Bruce on the mortar issue, if I could feel and see it I might be able to help.

[Bec1208]

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

Hi Collin,
I ended up with the premix because I could not find the right lime. Turned out was under my nose.

Reread the High Heat Mortar Primer sticky. Looks like I could have used home brew from the beginning.

The type N masonry cement appears locally available.

[oasiscdm]

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

Hi Bruce and Dave

Thanks Dave you flatter me but not its that ingenious. I use the half version too [black cardboard version] to double check, when using the IT. When I get towards the top I will attach pieces at 90 degrees following same shape to assist with the upper courses. The form now folds down in half and may end up with hinges. It is also cut inside the dome shape so I use cardboard as a spacer stapled to the edge aiding removal .

Bruce I thought I would reply to your question re mortar on your thread. I am using refractory high temp cement not premix. I'm using 3.1.1/2 Sand/Ref Cement/fire clay. I was going to use premix but the Refractory company I purchased from said I would be best doing it this way than premix. Plus Premix was very expensive.

[cobblerdave]

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

Gudday Bruce
Read about Colin's plywood guide with interest! I have seem something like that in the past. A lot simpler, just a 1/2 shape held by hand to check the bricks as they went by memory. Colin has made his to use to set his IT tool which I recon is really ingenious. You might consider even building a 1/2 shape to set your IT.
Could see myself with one as complex as Colin's and having to swap them over all the time, but that's me . Colin's aiming for small mortar joints and I can see that would require more effort so good on him.

Regards dave

[Bec1208]

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

Hi Dave,
I didn't use the plybase as I wanted to be able to get to the bottom mortar. I plan to cut it into thirds and tape it together. I also plan to run masking tape around the perimeter as suggested earlier. Bruce

[cobblerdave]

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

Gudday Bruce
The ply base is conspicuous in its absence in the photo again....it's removial and replacement might have something to do with those bricks dislodging?
It really needs to be left "in situ". If its to big to fit through the dome rntrance you might consider cutting it into smaller pieces and reattaching them together with battens and screws. That way it can be unscrewed at the end and the piece retrieved through the entrance.
Regards dave

[Bec1208]

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

Are you still having trouble with the mortar Bruce?

Short answer is yes, but I seem to be able to get it to work. They say you can't be too thin, and that seems the case for this mortar. Anything much more than liquid won't flow through the gaps. If I butter the tops of a few bricks, by the time I' laying the second brick, the surface of the mortar has started to set and won't flow or stick to the bottom of the brick being laid. I have found that if I scrape the excess off the excess mortar and apply new I can get it to work. By the next day, where I have managed to fill the gaps, the bond seems extremely strong. Any additional ideas appreciated.. Bruce

[kbartman]

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

I broke out the loose bricks (most of them) and reset them over the past few days. 1st pic is before and 2nd after the rebuild. Hopefully show some improvement. Bruce

Looking good Bruce......... Your craftsmanship has greatly improved in only one course. Your a Master mason in the making........... Keep up the good work??.

Only one thing I see you might give some consideration. Try to make sure the top edge of each brick inside the oven is as level and consistent as possible. This should allow easier setting of the later courses. I made the horizontal joint on the front edge as small as possible, once the tilt of the bricks began. By tapping of the front edge of brick till it makes contact with the front edge of the brick below, careful not to chip the edges. This should make keeping the courses level and constant easy. Try to work out and inconsistencies of your first courses, pay particular attention to this edge on your next course.

[Bec1208]

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

Your joints shouldn't have cracks in the mortar like that after the brick is placed. I suspect maybe the brick was bumped after it set separating it from it's neighbor. Once the bond is broken, you really need to reset the brick.

One tip that helped me was getting a jointing tool to go over the joints once they'd set a bit. Seemed to help strengthen the bond.

I broke out the loose bricks (most of them) and reset them over the past few days. 1st pic is before and 2nd after the rebuild. Hopefully show some improvement. Bruce

[kbartman]

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

I think Dave and Brickie would remind us it not the tool, but the skill of the craftsman. Bruce

Ha Ha you got me there.............

[Bec1208]

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

Bruce,
Yours may be wider, and mines longer......Brickie must use Viagra......Poor Dave wants you to use his 6
Incher........We don’t have anything to be jealous about.......especially Dave's 6" tool..........I bet he tells the wife it's 10".....

LOL............. that's funny!!!!!!!!!!

I think Dave and Brickie would remind us it"s not the tool, but the skill of the craftsman. Bruce

[kbartman]

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

Gudday
A 6in piece of garden hose will make an except able tool for those joints
Regards dave

Bruce,
Yours may be wider, and mines longer......Brickie must use Viagra......Poor Dave wants you to use his 6
Incher........We don’t have anything to be jealous about.......especially Dave's 6" tool..........I bet he tells the wife it's 10".....

LOL............. that's funny!!!!!!!!!!

[cobblerdave]

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

Gudday
A 6in piece of garden hose will make an except able tool for those joints
Regards dave

[Bec1208]

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

Give your tool a spray with a Viagra solution.....

Mine is wider.

[brickie in oz]

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

Have to say I am jealous as your tool is 2" longer than mine.

Give your tool a spray with a Viagra solution.....