Getting my barrel started!

[Rotterdam]

After countless hours reading these forums and collecting materials I've decided to get going. Huge thanks to all who have come before me to collectively shape my build.

At this point my foundation and block is laid and I'm in the process of setting rebar and prepping for the elevated pour.

[Rotterdam]

Re: Getting my barrel started!

Here is a pic with the blocks finished.

I'm planning on bending the rebar over to go through the center of the elevated pour. Mixing 10 cubic feet by hand will not be fun but the garden cart makes it super easy to do 160 lbs per batch. I also decided to buy a cheep awning, $50 from the walmart in Macomb IL. Feel free to chime in with advice at any time!

Rott

[Rotterdam]

Re: Getting my barrel started!

Note to future builders. Don't leave your tape measure on top of the cinder blocks before they are filled. I went 5 courses high and bumped my favorite one in! After 30 mins of trying to retrieve it lays at the bottom of a 40" concrete grave. RIP my old friend.

On a side note did you other builders fill up every cinder block hole or did you skip every other? I went for them all.

[Rotterdam]

Re: Getting my barrel started!

Found my vermiculite source while visiting the in laws in Des Moines. 4 cubic feet of Ver $23. Perlite was only $19. Grabbed a
Bag of each to mix together! Menards had 3 cubic ft bags for
$17 FYI.

Also bought my brick saw from harbor freight. I looked extensively on eBay and Craigslist, however I struck out. For $220 I got a new saw and diamond blade after a online coupon. I thought about putting a blade in my table saw or my compound miter, but I didn't want to choke on dust. After the project is over I'll resell. Tested it on some block I had and it kicked butt!

[Greenman]

Re: Getting my barrel started!

I filled all of the corners and then every second cavity. I also filled half of the top course of all of them to make a bond beam to hold everything together tight.

The holes in the alternate cavities make a good time capsule, I entombed some rolled up newspapers of the day, magazines, empty bottles of various things, aluminium drink cans and the like. Someone will demolish it one day and they will get to be amused or amazed or informed by the contents of my little time capsule I am sure.

[Rotterdam]

Re: Getting my barrel started!

Great idea! I'll stuff a couple of things on top of my tape measure.

Rott

[cobblerdave]

Re: Getting my barrel started!

G'day
Mines just full of beer cartons and empties, whoever pulls it apart will probably think I'm a drunk
Regards dave

[Greenman]

Re: Getting my barrel started!

Don't worry Dave, Beer cans also make a good plug for blocks since they crunch into the shape required and with some crumpled newspaper the 'plug' is complete.

I made sure that there was a good variety of beer bottles & cans plus some wine bottles in there just to show the 'finder' that the oven makers of the 2010's had an eclectic taste in and for alcohol. Plenty of junk mail is suitably preserved as well.

[Rotterdam]

Re: Getting my barrel started!

Back from a long business trip and it's time to get moving. Finished putting the rebar and filling the cinder. Tomorrow I'll frame the form for the platform. I was planning on a 4 inch thick pour. Is that enough for my base? Is 29 inches between the walls. Pic included.

[cobblerdave]

Re: Getting my barrel started!

Back from a long business trip and it's time to get moving. Finished putting the rebar and filling the cinder. Tomorrow I'll frame the form for the platform. I was planning on a 4 inch thick pour. Is that enough for my base? Is 29 inches between the walls. Pic included.

G'day
4 in is great. You could get away with 3 ins but 4 ins means your rebar is well and truly covered
Regards dave

[Rotterdam]

Re: Getting my barrel started!

Started the poor yesterday afternoon. Finished up around 9 p
. Probably mixed it a bit on the wet side, but 17 bags later it's formed. Put some old sheets on top and I'm turning on the sprinkler every hour or so.

When can I take the forms off?

[Tscarborough]

Re: Getting my barrel started!

Any time you want.

[NCMan]

Re: Getting my barrel started!

Rotterdam......it's best to leave the forms on as long as you can, but if they need to come off, nothing bad will happen, other than some possible chipping of the edges and the edges drying out faster. The longer they stay on, the better. Also, it's not a good idea to keep wetting the slab. That can do more harm than good, sometimes. Covering it is good, but not adding more water to the surface. The rule of thumb is to slow down the drying process, keeping the moisture in the slab as long as is practical.

[Gulf]

Re: Getting my barrel started!

It looks like you have a center wall. But, it would be a good idea to leave any supports under the short suspended areas of the slab for at least 3 days. I really like 7 better, though .

[NCMan]

Re: Getting my barrel started!

After reading Gulf's response, I agree w/him. I hadn't looked at your suspended slab foundation photos. I thought you were referring to the edge slab forms. I would leave the braces and forms underneath on for as long as you can. Yes, 7 days at a minimum, in my opinion. The longer the better, for all of them. Forms help keep moisture in a slab. That's what you want. But, just the water that's already in the slab, not extra water on the surface.The best thing for the surface is an impermeable cover, such as plastic. In one piece, if possible.