Fire clay - sand paste curing.

[I burnt my fingers]

Hi all,

I am just posting as I?m not sure about the fire clay, sand and water paste for the firebrick bed.

1. Do I have to wait for this paste to set/dry below the firebrickbed before starting on the dome?

2. If so how long does it take to set?

3. Do I have to wet the firebricks before laying them on the bed of fire clay / sand / water mix?

Thank you all.

[ThisOldGarageNJ]

Re: Fire clay - sand paste curing.

Hi Burnt,

1. I didnt wait, 6 months later and still no problems

2. see numner 1

3. most posts ive read recommend wetting, I had a 5 gallon pail and gave the a dip for about 5 seconds and it worked fine....

Hope this helps,, Mark

[I burnt my fingers]

Re: Fire clay - sand paste curing.

Thanks ThisOldGarageNJ, you've answered my questions. Much appreciated.

[ThisOldGarageNJ]

Re: Fire clay - sand paste curing.

no problem burnt,,,

p.s. we all like to see build pictures,,, so get the camera out and post some for us

Mark

[I burnt my fingers]

Re: Fire clay - sand paste curing.

Posted these before but I am taking lots of pics and will post the whole project as I get time.




Reading for thermocrete mix.




Mixing the porridge. What a sweat.




Firebricks being shifted.

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[I burnt my fingers]

Re: Fire clay - sand paste curing.

[dmun]

Re: Fire clay - sand paste curing.

Great pictures!

The fireclay/sand paste doesn't set, it just drys, so you don't need to cure it. There's nothing to cure. In fact, some builders lay out the mixture dry, and when they get the floor the way they want it, just wet the bricks afterwords.