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I had a mason lined up to do the brick/stone work on the exterior today. He was supposed to be at the house at 9am. I get a text that his “helper” was running late and they won’t be here until 10. No problem, with a helper, we should be able to get most of it done. So, I wait and get all the supplies down near the oven to make everything easier. 11 o’clock comes around and I call him to see what their ETA might be. No answer! Send a text, no response. Figures, a 60 degree day and no mason! I decide to mix some mortar and start myself. I’ve met many masons and they are only good at what the do because they do it over and over. I’ve watched and figure I can do it just as well, just slower. So, here we go!!!! I had 4 good hours setting the soldier course on 3 sides and the fieldstone veneer on the facia. Also built the arched opening out of brick cut to 3”. I like the way it looks as it’s different than the others that I’ve seen. Tomorrow I plan to be outside at 8:30am and not stopping until 4:30 when it gets dark. I believe I can get it done if I don’t run into any issues.
Well, turns out all local masons are “flakes”! I must have made 15 calls to friends, acquaintances and local businesses. SCREW EVERYONE! That is until the last call when I spoke with a local masonary contractor. He called one of his job sites, talked to a supervisor and he had an employee who was willing to work this past Saturday with me. SCORE! Nice younger guy who likes “out of the ordinary” projects and was intrigued by the oven project. We spent all day up until dark getting all of the bricks done and the roof started.
The backside was a bit challenging. He worked on the ladder while I handed him bricks and mortar. We worked well together, he was happy getting paid for the day and I was thrilled to get all of the brick finished. I have to finish the roof, the stone on the facia below the opening, the chimney stone, the chimney cap and point the whole facia this week. That’s the majority of the work other than fabricating a door.
I thought this was going to be an easy project when it began! Boy was I wrong!
Also, while sorting through the bricks, I found 2 which had the foundry name cast into them. I did a little research and Hanley Brick Company was founded in 1893 and the building that the brick were reclaimed from was built in 1903. Nice piece of history and story to go along with the build. One went on either side.
OK folks, getting closer as the weather Gods are cooperating a little bit. I was able to get the fieldstone veneer on the front below the opening and the chimney completed. Also, the second row of roofing mortared into place. I bought a damper as was suggested but had to do a bunch of modifying to get it to work. If all goes well tomorrow, I will get the rest of the roof in place and point all of the fieldstone. If not, Sunday is supposed to be decent as well. I think that I can get it done if nothing strange comes up.
While at Lowe’s today, I bought some brass fittings to make a steam vent, but don’t know if it’s necessary in my build. Nothing got wet(directly) during the duration of the build, but it has rained several times since I began. I did cover it with roofing rubber or a tarp if it looked like rain, but even humidity could have soaked in a bit. On one hand I don’t see it as necessary, but on the other hand what could it hurt to incorporate one. I bought the pieces, but will it be sufficient to just bore a hole and epoxy/construction adhesive it in place? When I eventually fire the oven, I can unscrew the cap and allow any steam if any to escape.
Glad you're getting the weather to cooperate to finish the build. I'd suggest you think about using a good silicone seal instead of the epoxy/construction adhesive...having a bit of flexibility would be good for that seal and heat will not be a problem.
I hope your Turkey Day was a great one!
Last edited by SableSprings; 11-28-2020, 12:42 AM.
Mike Stansbury - The Traveling Loafer
Roseburg, Oregon
Do you really need a steam vent with the enclosure like that? I really have no idea but I will be a bit surprised if you do.
I don’t believe so, but for the $20 the pieces cost, I don’t think it’s a bad idea. It will be a piece of mind knowing I’m doing everything possible to ensure this build lasts and there are no issues. I’m going to hide it behind the chimney so nobody will ever see it. I should only need to open it in the spring when I initially fire the oven.
The copper chimney cap came in the mail and it VERY SHINY! I don’t like the look, so I’m going to have to “patina” it a little. The rest of the oven looks vintage and shiny new copper just won’t cut it. Off to YT to watch videos on how to get the correct color.
There are a couple ways to patina copper, one (when no one is looking) pee on it, the acid changes the color, or use yogurt (more politically correct). My copper covering I just let it patina naturally, it will turn to a dark brown easy within a year. The attached pics are about 8 months difference. Also, based on you enclosure design, you do not need steam vents, they are only necessary when you stucco the dome to reduce pressure build up underneath the stucco when water sublimates to steam. Save the 20 bucks and buy you a micro brew six pack.
I spent the day finishing all of the stone/mortar work and the roof panels. I had to make some wooden supports for under the edge of the overhang because the fieldstone roof panels were sliding. I will get pictures tomorrow when I’m able to remove the supports and clean up the mortar from the countertop.
I am thrilled with how it came out, even though it hasn’t been fired yet, I love the look of the stone and brick together and more importantly, she likes it as well. Thank-You to everyone who has posted pictures of their ovens for inspiration and ideas.
Remember, slo go on the curing, this is the point where I see a lot of builders go too fast and too hot and damage their ovens. Start out with some briquettes for a few times, then small wood fires, that extra piece of wood can really spike the temp so resist the temptation to overload.
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