Budget Build 36"

[Laspaz]

Re: Budget Build 36"

Thanks for the replies.

I ended up going 7/8:1 ratio. This should be ok (in my mind) as the pumice is a solid animal with no squish or cork type compression that the vermiculite/perlite has.

Also, much less water was required as the pumice is a damp product. Depending on the (varied) moistness of the bag of pumice, I added just enough water to make a light concrete consistency with do slurry left in the bottom of the wheelbarrow. Some batches needed about 200ml, others needed about 1000ml. It will be interesting to see how the product dries now.

I ended up using 6x 20kg bags.

On a side note, I am sure mixing the concrete and insulation material would have been a more pleasant experience if my wheelbarrow tyre wasn't flat...

Questions:

I have left a 20cm (6") area at the front of the landing with no insulation as I would like to use concrete here. Is the heat low enough on the outer landing to use concrete? (I will have 4" of brick on top of the concrete also)

How much fire clay did you guys use for your build? I will be using the homebrew mix and my bricks will be cut with a bolster so my joints will be larger than most. The problem for me is 20lb of fire clay here in NZ is $55 + freight. Also, I need the powder form, not the wet form right?

Thanks,

Bevan

[cobblerdave]

Re: Budget Build 36"

Thanks for the replies.

I ended up going 7/8:1 ratio. This should be ok (in my mind) as the pumice is a solid animal with no squish or cork type compression that the vermiculite/perlite has.

Also, much less water was required as the pumice is a damp product. Depending on the (varied) moistness of the bag of pumice, I added just enough water to make a light concrete consistency with do slurry left in the bottom of the wheelbarrow. Some batches needed about 200ml, others needed about 1000ml. It will be interesting to see how the product dries now.

I ended up using 6x 20kg bags.

On a side note, I am sure mixing the concrete and insulation material would have been a more pleasant experience if my wheelbarrow tyre wasn't flat...u

Questions:

I have left a 20cm (6") area at the front of the landing with no insulation as I would like to use concrete here. Is the heat low enough on the outer landing to use concrete? (I will have 4" of brick on top of the concrete also)
J
How much fire clay did you guys use for your build? I will be using the homebrew mix and my bricks will be cut with a bolster so my joints will be larger than most. The problem for me is 20lb of fire clay here in NZ is $55 + freight. Also, I need the powder form, not the wet form right?

Thanks,

Bevan

Gudday Bevan
I don't think the end of the landing not being insulated is a 'biggy' don't worry about it.
The clay component in the homebrew is the bit that makes the mortar more workable and also makes the mix stick more readily. It really makes bricklaying for novices a lot easier. Now it doesn't have to be fireclay either the temps our ovens they don't real need it. You'll need powdered clay. You can use brickies clay in bags or if you can get it brickie sand which has a clay component included. Pottery supplies could be another source.
Finally when you get down to it and you can't find a reasonable supply don't use any. Give the mortar a squit of dish washing liquid to make it more plastic and get on with it
Regards dave

[Laspaz]

Re: Budget Build 36"

Thanks for that Dave. apparently bricklayer here just use mortar mix... I am having trouble locating bricklayers clay. I will keep calling around.

Do you guys think these clay pavers would be more suitable for building my oven? (rather than the bricks I have)

New Clay Pavers-Autumn Cream | Trade Me

Thanks,

Bevan

[Laspaz]

Re: Budget Build 36"

PS. they are boral pavers from Australia. Are these they ones you guys use?

[cobblerdave]

Re: Budget Build 36"

PS. they are boral pavers from Australia. Are these they ones you guys use?

Gudday
Boral are are good brick and paver makers. The question you have to ask, are they pressed clay pavers, no good getting stuck with cement pavers they are not suitable at all.
If your using bagged mortar check on its lime content it will effect your final mix.
And finally if your using any bagged premix you'll find that the sand in it is oven dried so they are not transporting water. The squit of dish washing liquid will help,but keep you mixer going that bit longer or let it sit for a while before checking and using it. It will soak up a little a bit more water than you think .
Regards dave

[Laspaz]

Re: Budget Build 36"

I have confirmed they are solid fired clay pavers from Australia.

I just need to decided if they have an advantage over my orange bricks or not.

Here is a photo of where the oven is at after the insulation and landing:


Also picked up hydrated lime today. And just ordered a bag of fireclay from the bottom of the South Island. $25 + freight, should arrive in a couple of days.

So, any thoughts on whether the pavers trump my doughboys?

Cheers fellas

Bevan

[TropicalCoasting]

Re: Budget Build 36"

Thanks for that Dave. apparently bricklayer here just use mortar mix... I am having trouble locating bricklayers clay. I will keep calling around.

In Victoria brickys sand is orange it has lots of orange clay in it
In Queensland it seems to be white it has lots of white clay in it.

Ask the guy at the yard

[brickie in oz]

Re: Budget Build 36"

So, any thoughts on whether the pavers trump my doughboys?

The pavers are far superior.

[Laspaz]

Re: Budget Build 36"

Perfect Brickie, just what I wanted to hear.. Now to try and get some!

Thanks,

Bevan

[brickie in oz]

Re: Budget Build 36"

In Victoria brickys sand is orange

Not anymore it aint......its generally white sand now.

[Laspaz]

Re: Budget Build 36"

Ok, 300 clay pavers purchased. Hope to get a better oven from the added investment. Fingers crossed!

Bevan

[TropicalCoasting]

Re: Budget Build 36"

Not anymore it aint......its generally white sand now.

Ive been gone from the building industry for well over 10 years (in a day to day kind of way)

[cobblerdave]

Re: Budget Build 36"

In Victoria brickys sand is orange it has lots of orange clay in it
In Queensland it seems to be white it has lots of white clay in it.

Ask the guy at the yard

Gudday
Yea I thought so too. I saw some at the landscape supplies that was red, now brickie says the stuff in Vic is white! What's going on?
Recon the worlds changing in one way they seen to truck things longer distances now. Gravel sand used to be local but not anymore I suppose.
Regards Dave

[Laspaz]

Re: Budget Build 36"

Alrighty,

I have 300 new pavers in my possession. They look good.

The dimensions are 45mm high (1 3/4") 225mm long (9") 110mm wide (4 1/2")

They weigh 2.2kg (5lb)





Also photo of totally useless smash test



I think they should be good. With my fire tiles on top I will have a floor thickness of 2 3/4" which is about right.

Just waiting on my fireclay delivery now and then she's all go!

Bevan

[cobblerdave]

Re: Budget Build 36"

Gudday
Did you break all of those on the cement path?
Regards dave