Started my Build in Georgia

[Tonyp]

Re: Started my Build in Georgia

Hi David,

Thanks for the comments! We have had some nasty weather here and it's just one of the things I have to deal with living on what seems like the edge of the arctic tundra. Between the sub zero F. blasts of air from Canada and the lake snow off of L. Ontario (which was kind enough to dump 54" of snow on us one night last week), one needs to plan these sorts of things for indoors or it ends up being a very seasonal item otherwise! Some days I wish the winter wasn't quite so long and harsh but summer is oh so nice..

The constraints of the kitchen corner have made it a challenge for sure and if I was to do it over again I would seriously consider having the dome outside the building with the entrance through the wall. It would make things much simpler and allow for much more flexibility in design. I still have a bunch of work to do with finishing the outside, making an insulated door etc.

Sounds like you were doing the same cuts with splitting the brick up with the one side angle and then just needing to cut the other side to get the final brick. There was some waste but not too bad. The few courses where you couldn't quite cut a brick into 3rds or 4ths there was a bit more waste, but I really like the overall look of having the ever progressing smaller brick size with each course. Inadvertently it seems to have helped having the much narrower and lighter 1/4 bricks up near the top as I hardly had any issues with the bricks wanting to slide into the dome. They set up and held without much effort or support needed. I probably could have made better use of the cut off slivers like you did and used them to partially fill the outside gaps. Working in the corner though was a challenge and for the most part I couldn't really see the outside gap and was just working by feel to make sure the mortar was filling the voids.

Fired the oven last night for a couple hours and had pizza night. 'Beer can' chicken tonight for the kids and I as the oven was at 400. Made extra dough Saturday morning, so pizza again tomorrow.. what to make on Monday.. hmmm

Who was it that said it's hard to finish the oven once it becomes functional because all you want to do is just cook! They were so right!

[DavidApp]

Re: Started my Build in Georgia

Hello Tony and GianniFocaccia

Thank you for your kind comments. I am very happy with the way it came out.
A great feeling to get that part finished.

I am fortunate to have a job that allowed me a lot of free time over Christmas so I could spend almost all of the last few weeks working on it. Got to go back to work next week so work will come to a stop for a while. Give the mortar time to dry out.

Tony I have been looking around our kitchen to see if an oven would fit. Don't think there is room and a third oven may be a stretch.
Your oven looks great and real convenient and the brickwork is super neat. Did you end up wasting much of the bricks with your system of cutting gradually smaller brick segments?
I just made 3 cuts for 1/2 bricks 4 cuts for 1/3 bricks and 5 cuts for 1/4 bricks.

David

[GianniFocaccia]

Re: Started my Build in Georgia

Superb craftsmanship and speed. Nicely done, David.

[Tonyp]

Re: Started my Build in Georgia

WOOOT congrats David on the dome closing! Looks great. Every time I put in a brick I could tell myself .. one brick closer to being done! Closing the dome is a great feeling for sure!

Tony

[DavidApp]

Re: Started my Build in Georgia

The plug plan photo. I forgot it in the last post

[DavidApp]

Re: Started my Build in Georgia

Hello Steve

Thank you. I am very happy with the way it has come out.
This forum is the reason it has gone this well with all the photos, ideas and help.

I have made and fitted the plug in the dome and removed the IT and temporary floor.

The method I used to get the plug shape is as follows.
I pulled a piece of plywood up inside the dome and held it there with one of my brick holding sticks. Then drew the hole profile on the plywood and marked 2 bricks where I was going to divide the plug.
Then I took a piece of poly sheet and placed it over the hole and drew around the hole taking care to make the division marks.
Then transferred this to the two pieces of brick and went to work with the wet saw and angle grinder.
On the temporary floor that I attached the IT to I decided to split it to make removal through the vent opening possible and also remembered to screw it together from the top. It worked came out like a charm.

Now it is on to the entry.

Work may get in the way of progress for a while.
David

[Greenman]

Re: Started my Build in Georgia

Looks a good job.

[DavidApp]

Re: Started my Build in Georgia

Almost there.

Just 4 more on the last chain then the plug.

David

[DavidApp]

Re: Started my Build in Georgia

Started cutting the bricks in half then in 3. Now I am starting to cut some into 4 pieces to try to avoid having joints line up. I think that is called a running bond.
I am also grinding the bottom corners of the brick segments so that they do not form a gap below the brick.
A few more chains to go.

David

[GianniFocaccia]

Re: Started my Build in Georgia

The L-shaped vent-to-oven arch bricks are not only elegant, but functional. As I told Colin, I wish I had done that with my oven. If you haven't seen it, here is how Colin did it:

(http://www.fornobravo.com/forum/f51/...bee-18249.html (new build in werribee)

[DavidApp]

Re: Started my Build in Georgia

Hello Gulf

Thank you.

The idea came to me as I was walking. I was trying to work out how to make it across the arch without the dip.

That is the good thing about this forum ideas breed ideas.

David

[Gulf]

Re: Started my Build in Georgia

The "temporary leg to the IT" for over the inner arch, is a great idea!. I wish that I had of thought of that .

[DavidApp]

Re: Started my Build in Georgia

This my Vcrete casting for the vent arch support.

I went with Vcrete because I ran out of FB and did not want to buy another sheet for the arch support.
It seems to have set up well. 5:1 ratio Perlite to Portland cement. Hope the 0.05% Miracle grow in the perlite will not have a bad effect on the block.

[DavidApp]

Re: Started my Build in Georgia

Hello GianniFocaccia and Gulf

The reason I am planning on larger reveal is I am going to separate the vent from the dome by a small gap filled with Wood Stove door fiberglass gasket material. So I am going to cut a "L" shape out of the vent arch bricks and lap them over the inner arch. There will be a space (about 4") for the smoke chamber then the front part of the vent arch.
The sketch may help you to see what I am planning.

The photo is my IT temporary leg.

Thank you for the help.

David

[Gulf]

Re: Started my Build in Georgia

I agree with GianniFoccacia about a large reveal. Though, I did not have the "stones" to attempt a "flaired" entry .

My reveal is 3 and 1/2" (all around). That allows me the side-to-side room for the tools .

Why are you contemplating a larger reveal at the top of your arch than on the sides .