why half bricks

[Rinrat86]

Hi, I've been looking through the forum and other resources and can't find an explanation for why the FB dome is built with half firebricks. Why not just use them sideways with the full length.

If using regular clay bricks should they be halved as well?

Sorry if this isn't the place, still trying to figure out the forum.

[stonecutter]

Re: why half bricks

You won't have a smooth inside radius using whole brick

[TropicalCoasting]

Re: why half bricks

Take more wood to heat them too

[Rinrat86]

Re: why half bricks

I just laid out some bricks and I see what is meant by the smoother radius.
I'm not sure I understand why it would take more wood to heat them. Does it have something to do with the nooks and bumps created by the overlapping layers of brick causing eddies in the air currents rather than smooth flow?

[Les]

Re: why half bricks

I just laid out some bricks and I see what is meant by the smoother radius.
I'm not sure I understand why it would take more wood to heat them. Does it have something to do with the nooks and bumps created by the overlapping layers of brick causing eddies in the air currents rather than smooth flow?

Rin, you will end up with the same amount of mass so the fuel s/b about the same. You will quickly find that it's impossible to get a good radius using only the half brick. Good luck, we are here to help...

[stonecutter]

Re: why half bricks

It won't make a bit of difference with heat up if you bed them full length except if they are oriented as shiners...then you will have less mass and a faster heat up. You still won't turn the radius as smoothly as smaller units do.

When you cut a 8" or 9" firebrick in half you'll have 4" or 4.5" mass....if you lay them full length as a stretcher you'll have 4" mass or if you lay them as a shiner, you'll get 2.5" of mass.

[stonecutter]

Re: why half bricks

Rin, you will end up with the same amount of mass so the fuel s/b about the same. You will quickly find that it's impossible to get a good radius using only the half brick. Good luck, we are here to help...

You mean whole brick, I think.

[Les]

Re: why half bricks

You mean whole brick, I think.

@ Stone - no. I meant half brick. On a 42 inch oven the top course ends up being about 5/8 inch wide. I don't think any of us has been that anal (yet). I got down to 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 and called it good

[stonecutter]

Re: why half bricks

I'm not sure what you mean Les.

[Les]

Re: why half bricks

I'm not sure what you mean Les.

As you build the courses the radius' get smaller. To keep the brick on a true bond, the brick would have to get narrower. It's been a few years since I drew it up but I believe the top course was around 5/8 inch.

[stonecutter]

Re: why half bricks

I see. True bond doesn't really matter too much,as long as you don't run a joint too far.

[GianniFocaccia]

Re: why half bricks

As you build the courses the radius' get smaller. To keep the brick on a true bond, the brick would have to get narrower

There's not too many builders here who invested in the level of fit and aesthetic detail you did, Les.