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Chch NZ build

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  • Chch NZ build

    I have been reading a lot and posting qustions and so i am now belatedly going to start a thread. I hope the photos are of interst and please don't be too tough on the lack of craftmanship.

    The initial plan was to build a 36 inch Naples but i gradually changed to follow thers recommendations. So a 1 metre diameter dome, aiming for 49 cm height ended up being the goal.
    I have used an I tool, slightly offset from the centre by a hinge. I have not used the clamp with this as intended and maybe that is why I have gone out of round.
    Generally the brick work has been tolerable although compared to others the grout gaps and brick placements have been a bit ugly.
    I struggled with transition and i have ended up using a lot of homebrew around the inner arch to dome connection. Hopefully this will not prove to be anything other than an aestetic problem.
    I least i know the structure is reasonably strong as during the build it has experienced 100 s of aftershocks from our 7.1 earthquake!
    Reach chain 8 and i am looking forward to the sky shot looking through the closing roof

  • #2
    Re: Chch NZ build

    Took all day working on chain 8, way harder than the previous. The out of round proved a real problem. I have a gentle spiral going on and I did not think i could get the whole chain to marry up. However, i have just the keystone to fit and although it will be extreme i think it will work. Inspite of my doubts it looks like i live to fight another day but it is getting more difficult to keep the bricks in sympathy. I the end i was pretty pleased with the overall progress albeit very slow.
    Please tell me it gets easier now as i approach the last few chains,

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    • #3
      Re: Chch NZ build

      John,

      Excellent progress. I know the feeling about dealing with the out of round. I think that most folks do as well as the transition is the headache we all deal with. I personnnaly put in 2 partial chains above my transition to feel better, especially since I had to cut keystones for each arch. To paraphrase a comment from Dino to me - after the dome is covered, it will work the same.

      Keep the chin up Mate - pizza for Christmas is still on tap!

      Chris
      Jen-Aire 5 burner propane grill/Char Broil Smoker

      Follow my build Chris' WFO

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      • #4
        Re: Chch NZ build

        Thanks Chris
        Raining today so progress could be halted. Might use the time to research the flue and smoke chamber. I will post a photo shortly and welcome feedback.

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        • #5
          Re: Chch NZ build

          The rain stopped so i manged to fit the keystone for chain 8. ticky cut but it went quite well. Cleaned up inside and touched up a few grout lines. Tried to clean up some of the cement haze with some acid wash. As you can see i am far from perfectly round and the sky shots not great. The i tool may be unusable for the next course as i am too far off the target shape, although it did prove useful as a guide if not the exact brick placement device.

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          • #6
            Re: Chch NZ build

            Finished the next chain 9 ( including soldier course ) - biy of a nightmare. I could only get round by a bit of stepping and cutting. Not happy with appearance inside the dome although at least it wont show - i don't think i will be taking any flash photos either! Looks like one more chain then close the dome off. I am wondering if i should go for a couple of arches then infill rather than the conventional approach. I have seen some use this concept. Having spent 30 mins inside the dome cleaning up i can relate to the comments of others. A visit to the chiropractic is about the only comparable experience i have had.

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            • #7
              Re: Chch NZ build

              Finished the last full chain and created the keystone. I cut and dry staked the brick for the forst time since the soldier course. This really helped in terms of progress. just a shame that my mistakes in the previous couple of courses made the appearance of the inside of the dome a bit shabby. The hole of the keystone was a bit eccentric in all respects but i was happy with the sculpting of the brick. Tomorrow i will fit and seal the dome up.

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              • #8
                Re: Chch NZ build

                Heres a view of the keystone. Took a while on the tile saw but i am happy with the outcome.

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                • #9
                  Re: Chch NZ build

                  A keystone relates to an arch as its the "key" to it all staying up.

                  Yours would be a plug, as the dome is already supported.
                  The English language was invented by people who couldnt spell.

                  My Build.

                  Books.

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                  • #10
                    Re: Chch NZ build

                    John,

                    You are making great progress. The last chain looks great and the plug does too. Can't wait to see your outer arch and smoke box. I found that I am getting better with the cuts as I go along too. Kind of wished I did an oven for someone else first and then my own to take the lessons learned.
                    Jen-Aire 5 burner propane grill/Char Broil Smoker

                    Follow my build Chris' WFO

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Chch NZ build

                      Nice looking dome.

                      dave
                      Last edited by DaveW; 12-09-2010, 06:44 AM.
                      Album: http://picasaweb.google.com/fornososo/Pizza#

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                      • #12
                        Re: Chch NZ build

                        Doesn't that feel so GOOD! Placing in that plug...what a sense of accomplishment. Congratulations John...it looks great.

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                        • #13
                          Re: Chch NZ build

                          Thanks for the correction of terminology, I wasn't aiming to confuse anyone.

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                          • #14
                            Re: Chch NZ build

                            Couldn't agree more. In spite of reading a lot from this forum it can't replace first hand experience. I reckon my next dome would be easier and technically better. Still hopefully this will work as an oven okay - seems like quite a bit to do yet.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: Chch NZ build

                              Hi there John
                              Good job, must be a good feeling to have the dome completed.... I have just got the pavers for my dome and are going to make a start on Monday or Tuesday. I am not sure of the reason behind a off set as opposed to a center I tool. Can you explain in simple terms the diff and why you chose the off set one. I was going to use a support system but feel that the free laying of the bricks is the way to go... always up for a challenge.
                              Cheers
                              Kris

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