36" build in Tallahassee - AKA Bruce's Folly

[Chef Magnus]

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

I am new here and am truly impressed with your work. I am wanting to add a wood burning brick oven to the side of my house. Your work convinced me that I can get it done...

Chef

[Bec1208]

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

It would, but the same risks are there...I just wanted you to have the facts before proceeding.

I appreciate it, would not have know otherwise. Looks like this three day pause in the build came at a very good time. Just to be sure, nature appears ready to enforce the pause as well, weather forecast is for heavy rains over the next three days.

[stonecutter]

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

It's been raining on and off here the last 5 days, the last two have been steady. Today looks like another washout..hopefully tomorrow I can work on the roof rafters.

[Bec1208]

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

I am new here and am truly impressed with your work. I am wanting to add a wood burning brick oven to the side of my house. Your work convinced me that I can get it done...

Chef

Chef, welcome to the forum. Reminds of the saying - the amazing thing about a dancing bear is not how well he dances, but the fact he dances at all.

Having said that, I have truly found the project to be very manageable. As I think I mentioned (and Dave and others remind me), the design of this oven is very forgiving. Basically, if the dome is self supporting, insulated, and kept dry the oven will be functional. I came into this never having cut or laid a brick, and while my joints are not as uniform as I would like; I am convinced they will hold. I will know more about how well they hold if I decide to tear down the last two levels. Anyways, what should give you confidence is that someone with my initial skill set can put together a working oven (okay I am projecting into the future here). Let me know when you are getting ready to build and I will share my "wish I had know before I started list."

[Bec1208]

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

I am new here and am truly impressed with your work. I am wanting to add a wood burning brick oven to the side of my house. Your work convinced me that I can get it done...

Chef

Chef,
After I wrote the above I checked your profile and posts. I noticed you indicated a disability and am curious regarding the extent of physical limitations. Also saw you worked in forensic science, I worked as a forensic psychologist the last 10 years before I retired. Bruce

[Bec1208]

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

A funny thing happened on the way to a verdict. The plaintiff withdrew her complaint. Turned out her lawyer had not filled documentation of damages in time and it was ruled inadmissible. So have been working on oven between showers. Bruce

[cobblerdave]

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

Chef,
After I wrote the above I checked your profile and posts. I noticed you indicated a disability and am curious regarding the extent of physical limitations. Also saw you worked in forensic science, I worked as a forensic psychologist the last 10 years before I retired. Bruce

Gudday Bruce
I think Chefs disability might be like mine ......Masonry Impaired

Regards Dave

[Bec1208]

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

Gudday Bruce
I think Chefs disability might be like mine ......Masonry Impaired

Regards Dave

Dave, that's one disability we share. Bruce

[Bec1208]

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

Rained out today. I decided to try cutting back on the last row and adjusting tilt. Probably would have been easier to just take down the previous two rows but I was afraid I'd end up taking down a brunch more. Anyways here is a pick of progress to date.

[cobblerdave]

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

Gudday Bruce
That's a bit tricky! Cutting the inside edge off a curve with an angle grinder. Its done now but you take it easy with that thing though.!!!!
So what's the plan now ? I noted the ply already fitted?
Regards Dave

[Bec1208]

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

Gudday Bruce
That's a bit tricky! Cutting the inside edge off a curve with an angle grinder. Its done now but you take it easy with that thing though.!!!!
So what's the plan now ? I noted the ply already fitted?
Regards Dave

Dave, you flatter me by assuming I have a plan. I finished notching the bricks this am have to head out to meet a friend in a few minutes. For this course I am shimming the bricks with brick cuttings at her then making a sand mound. Hopefully it will all come together when I mortar them into place. Let this be a lesson to newbies to watch their tilt in the final courses. I think the inner radios will be about 5 inches after this course. I post some pics this evening.

[Bec1208]

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

Was able to finish up the "remedial course" today. I think it will work and hopefully get me on track. I had mortar left so put in two bricks starting the next row. I cleaned up the bricks some for the final pics but left the bottom shims in. Looks like the inner radius is about 5". Tomorrow I will take out the form and see how high the dome is.

[cobblerdave]

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

Gudday Bruce
You are sooooo....close!
Do you really want to know the dome hieght at this stage? I've got the feeling your so close to dome closure you would be reluctant to pull any more work down.
If you do want to know the dome height don't pull the ply down. Just drill a hole in the middle of the ply and pool a stick or a stiff piece of wire down to the floor. Measure from that.
Now that you on the final stage the angle change from one row to the next changes radically. Look at those last 2 bricks layed. Angles not right. Imagine a straight edge sat in the opening from side to side in the middle. That's the side taper your going to need.
Regards dave

[Bec1208]

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

Gudday Bruce
You are sooooo....close!
Do you really want to know the dome hieght at this stage? I've got the feeling your so close to dome closure you would be reluctant to pull any more work down.

I will probably pull it down, mostly to check the mortar on the bottom perimeter. I suspect there are some pretty good gaps. I am fairly sure that any tucking I do will have to be from the top. It shouldn't take long to put it back up since there isn't any form on top, and no I don't plan to tear down that last row.

Now that you on the final stage the angle change from one row to the next changes radically. Look at those last 2 bricks layed. Angles not right. Imagine a straight edge sat in the opening from side to side in the middle. That's the side taper your going to need.
Regards dave

Thanks for the help determining the taper angle. Wish I had know earlier in the build.

Dave and Stonecutter, by the way, thanks for your concerns and safety warnings. I managed to get through that row without damage to myself. Bruce

[cobblerdave]

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

Gudday bruce

Here's a photo of one of my early morning visitors. I feed them a whole meal cracker and honey . If you ignore them they will fly up on your shoulder or head and pull your hair. They don't come every day as I am up and gone before they are out of bed. But the weekends they are always there.
Regards dave