Getting my barrel started!

[Rotterdam]

Re: Getting my barrel started!

Your right that I'm obsessing over each brick being level and perfect way to much. I think it's the carpenter in me. I should just throw the barrel up as no one will ever see the thing.

[Tscarborough]

Re: Getting my barrel started!

I think it took about 3 hours to do mine, and that was 2 layers of (thin) firebrick. No worries, take your time and enjoy the process.

[Rotterdam]

Re: Getting my barrel started!

Thanks for the opinion on the barrel having sufficient support. This means I can relax and focus on putting the arch together. I'm trying to do about 3 layers a day which means the barrel should be done in a week.

Rott

[Tscarborough]

Re: Getting my barrel started!

You should be fine as far as buttressing goes there. Looking good!

[Rotterdam]

Re: Getting my barrel started!

Side note I've been having problems uploading pics. I started emailing them to myself on the iPhone and cutting down on the resolution. Problem solved.

[Rotterdam]

Re: Getting my barrel started!

Added another later to the sides and back.

Been searching for methods people have used to stop heat transfer from the oven floor out.

[Rotterdam]

Re: Getting my barrel started!

Busy weekend! Got my arch support built and in place. I'm glad I used 1/2 inch drywall as it allowed for quick small adjustments with the utility knife.

I'm so thankful I bought a premixed mortar. I found in convenient to lay 4-8 bricks then pop the lid back on when the kids started attacking each other. I started wetting the bricks for the first row. Then stopped for the rest. Having a wet brick just made it harder to spread a smooth layer. When i used a dry brick I was kicking butt and getting them perfect on the first try. It still allowed me plenty of time to get the entire row in place.

[Rotterdam]

Re: Getting my barrel started!

Another pic with just the floor bottom.

[Rotterdam]

Re: Getting my barrel started!

Made some good progress today. Set the oven floor using a bit of sand for leveling. Cut my arch supports using plywood and some left over drywall I had laying around. Then laid my first layer of bricks! I had been hesitant to start but after the first couple of bricks I got the hang of it. I've included a few pics comments welcome!

Can't get photos to upload...I'll try again later.

[Rotterdam]

Re: Getting my barrel started!

Back from a business trip, that elevated platform has had a week to dry. Yesterday I tried making the vermiculite and Perlite concrete mixture for the first time. I use the ratio of 3:3:1 I was fairly surprised at the amount of water needed to make the mix workable. I use some 2 x 4s to form of a 4 foot 545 inch rectangle then added my 2 inches of foam glass right in the bottom of the forms. In hindsight it probably would've been smarter to put the foam glass on top just because now I know it's going to take a very long time for that to dry out... My thinking at the time was that it was easier to do it this way so I didn't have to rip the two by fours and have to get an additional 2 inches of insulation. I broke down the forms this morning it's still pretty moist but it's set up nicely and has a firm but slightly spongy feeling which I guess is do just to the materials used. I'm not sure how to let how long to let this dry before I can set the hearth. Because I can't work out for a few days I'm heading to my dads to go fishing in Wisconsin and we will check it when I get back on Friday. I'll upload a few pictures when I get a better Internet connection.
If anybody has insight on how long will that dry feel free to chime in please!

[Rotterdam]

Re: Getting my barrel started!

The red pavers in the pic above were an experiment. I went to high-temperature refractory warehouse in St. Louis. And they recommended I used morcoset 50 premixed mortar. So I bought two buckets. After I purchased I read somewhere in the forums that somebody had used this product and then the rain came and eroded all the mortar away. I was paranoid that I wasted $70, So I mortared those bricks together and left them outside in the rain and they are as solid as can be even after leaving them in a bucket of water for a week. My guess is that this gentleman bought some of the morcoset that needs heat to set up.

Rott

[Rotterdam]

Re: Getting my barrel started!

Well I'm up to 2 weeks of concrete and masonry experience, so I appreciate the help. I'm sure you are both very knowledgable.

Here a pic of my stash of firebrick I got cheap!

I've got 50 no2 wedges
200 no 2s. (I think that's what they are called)
6 slags 13.5 x 16 x 4.5
And as many flats as I want to dig up from my fence.

I'm trying to lay them out to see what will work best on my platform.

I'm hoping I can use the wedges to build the opening and chimney area. If you have thoughts I'd love to hear them. I'll start building on 7/27 when I get back from DC.

And if anyone needs a stack of brick like I had I know where to get them for about $100 near Burlington IA.

[NCMan]

Re: Getting my barrel started!

I guess. I could go into this a whole lot more, but it's probably best to leave it alone. That's what I'll do.

[Tscarborough]

Re: Getting my barrel started!

The same, 30 years experience in concrete and masonry. We strip forms ASAP and often used berm and flood curing when I was doing commercial flatwork. Chalk it up to regional differences, I guess.

[NCMan]

Re: Getting my barrel started!

NCman, what are you basing your recommendations upon?

Knowledge and lots of experience. I stand by what I say. I should ask you the same.