Christo's Cucina

[Les]

Re: Christo's Cucina

I'm laying the wiring for the RBG LED strips that will go inside each column tonight. I found a cool RF remote control that will allow me to change color intensity and if I want - patterns of changing light in each column. That was not part of the original plan!

Christo - Awesome idea with the glass block - never worked with the product, is it hard to set? In regard to the LED's - you can do great stuff with that. I design slot machines, and it's all about the "bling" (and taking your money ) If you have the strips I am thinking of, you should be able to cover the the spectrum of the rainbow (actually only 256 colors) in a fade in fade out fashion - very cool!

Les...

[dusty]

Re: Christo's Cucina

Wow! Fabulous set up. Congrads on a job very profesionally done.

BTW What are the counter tops on either side of the oven made of?

dusty

[christo]

Re: Christo's Cucina

A new milestone today.

The concrete benches are in place. The concrete columns with glass block are inplace - all the other edges to the patio around the oven are in place.

This is the weekend to lay the herringbone paver patio - We will need to wretle some of the bricks from the weeds in which they lie. Its one of those 3 month projects that last and last... It's the project that keeps on giving.

I'm laying the wiring for the RBG LED strips that will go inside each column tonight. I found a cool RF remote control that will allow me to change color intensity and if I want - patterns of changing light in each column. That was not part of the original plan!

Below are some pics of the area to be paved. The little red wagon belonged to my nephew and at 27 years old - he now wants it back - I'm afraid it's not in such good shape. I'm good with the wheelbarrow - but the wagon is nice for those times when you need a bit more stability.

I also put the first stucco coat (actually surface bonding cement) on the wings on each side of the oven. I found some acrylic stucco top coat that I will put on in a few weeks - after the wings have a bit more time to cure. I'm very psyched - I can see the end.

BTW - I spent a lot of time making the niches on each side of my oven - but I still don't know what to put in them - any suggestions? Ebay?

Your pal,

Christo

P.S. Sometimes I feel like I'm keeping Harbor Freight in business.... that blue wheel to the right of the BBQ is the second wheel to break off from my handtruck.

[Masako Morishita]

Re: Christo's Cucina

A real beauty!!!!!......And the perfect place to build an oven too!
The Chrysler corporation would probably pay a million for it!
Thanks for the pics guys!
Sergio.

[christo]

Re: Christo's Cucina





It looks like I'm now seeing a lot of countertops with lights in them. I talked about it too long and did not do it.

here is a link to the fiber optic countertop - I have not done any business with them yet....

Concrete Countertops

I made a prototype and flattend the tops of the marbles and use thin double side tape to stick to the counter. After grinding and polishing it looked good. I epoxied the LED to the marble with the hopes that the clear epoxy would also act as a light guide to the marble. It seems to work.

I got the LED's on line at a Electrical surplus shop. There will be no changing them out - when they burn out - I'm outta luck - but they should last 20 to 30,000 hours....

Christo

[adman2u]

Re: specifics

I am facinated by your marble light idea. I have been inseting rope lights in the bottom of my overhang counters for mood but your idea sounds cool. Where did you get LED's / how do you run wire / what if they burn out?/ do you grind them flat on top? ????????????

[jv17]

Re: Christo's Cucina

that's a good idea if you're setting up on that one..

[christo]

Re: Christo's Cucina

It even works!!! We tried it last night!

It will be great when football season starts back up.

Christo

[Ken524]

Re: Christo's Cucina

I ran the plumbing, cable tv, electricty, out to the oven

Cable TV to your oven? Yep, I'm jealous!

[christo]

Re: Christo's Cucina

Well, I'm finally back at it.

I've been doing a bit of grading, hauling gravel and compacting, but not much work on the oven.

I ran the plumbing, cable tv, electricty, out to the oven, filled in the trench and leveled and compacted the area, too.

It's a real joy having electrical receptacles right at the oven vs string extension cords.

I added an additonal cut out in one of my wings for a stainless steel trash can.

I tackled the trim on the top of the oven and feel pretty good about finishing that.

Next on my list paving and concrete countertops (with LEDs or fiber optics in them!!!)

Christo

[gjbingham]

Re: Christo's Cucina

That's my plan with the wood too. Kiln dry the next load with leftover heat from the last.

Thanks for the explaination of the expanded metal. My building knowledge is pretty limited beyond basic concrete work. I was looking through a book on masonry last night, and there it was - expanded metal lathe.

I guess I should be working on my door too. Thanks for the great ideas and photos. Your version looks like it will work fine, and that's good enough for me, at least for now.
George

[christo]

Re: Christo's Cucina

Thanks for the replies.

Expanded metal is made by cutting slits across the metal and then pulling it from both ends. The sheet metal pulls apart at each slit resulting in the diamond shaped holes in the metal.

My original plan was to make a sheet metal door and pour it full of refractory insulation (similar to cement but light and fluffy). I used to use the stuff when I worked on commerical boilers (long long time ago).

Now that I'm not under pressure to have a door fast - I can incorporate some of the suggestions!!!

Btw - after the dinner was removed I filled up the oven with wood and put the door back on - some of it was black the next morning!!! That oven is really retaining heat well!

Christo

[asudavew]

Re: Christo's Cucina

Great door Christo.

Yeah it is. I must copy!

I bet if you slightly countersunk the screw holes, then affix a sheet of aluminum foil (shiny side up) on the hot face of your door you will decrease the screw temps alot.

Do you think the layers could be glued together with chimney/high temp caulk?

[wlively]

Re: Christo's Cucina

Great door Christo. I wish I had some of my insulating board left.

I bet if you slightly countersunk the screw holes, then affix a sheet of aluminum foil (shiny side up) on the hot face of your door you will decrease the screw temps alot.

[Ken524]

Re: Christo's Cucina

Christo,

Great door! That's really similar to what I have in mind. I like your t-shirt too.

Ken