I'm getting closer to my Dome!

[Aegis]

Re: I'm getting closer to my Dome!

Cut your self a couple of small bricks to help with the vertical joints. Start with the back of the oven (the part that you will see when you are cooking), and work your way around to the arch. That way you will see the nice area when you are cooking, you won't see the areas on the side as much.

Mike

Thanks Mike, I'll do just that! I do start from the entry side and work around, I was paying more attention (or no attention to the vertical joints) to the curve and angle cuts and the upside down vee bevel than to the joints lining up!
btw, should I start clockwise or counter clockwise? I am located north of the equator if that means anything! lol

Thanks
John

[GianniFocaccia]

Re: I'm getting closer to my Dome!

Being from CA, I've been going clockwise. Does it show?

[Aegis]

Re: I'm getting closer to my Dome!

Being from CA, I've been going clockwise. Does it show?

Hi John,
If going clockwise gets my build anywhere close to yours, I'm going clockwise too!

Well I got the forth chain done yesterday and paid much more attention to the vertical joints. Then is was arch day today, and boy was it a little frustrating to say the least. I needed a primer on cutting brick tapers and back to geometry for finding an arc with a 20" chord and 4.5" height. Ok so I did get that all done and started cutting bricks with the proper angles and all. I should have cut the bricks a little smaller as the saw tended to push off the brick at the end of the angle. I dry stacked the arch just to see how badly I did and if I needed to start over again. I'll look it over in a day or so and then decide. It has been nothing but gloom and rain on and off here, its down right miserable. But I think it is probably great for the mortar to cure properly! Here are some update pics!

John

[GianniFocaccia]

Re: I'm getting closer to my Dome!

John,

Your arch is looking really good. It's symmetrical and has the small joints we all strive for. Keep going!

Coincidentally, I grew up with my step-father (great guy) who was from Warehouse Point, 45 minutes or so up the 84 from you.

John

[Aegis]

Re: I'm getting closer to my Dome!

John,

Your arch is looking really good. It's symmetrical and has the small joints we all strive for. Keep going!

Coincidentally, I grew up with my step-father (great guy) who was from Warehouse Point, 45 minutes or so up the 84 from you.

John

Thanks for the encouragement, and with the weather we are having this spring, I fully understand you being in Ca.

[pizza_bob]

Re: I'm getting closer to my Dome!

John,

The build is looking great! You're moving a lot quicker than I did!
Some advice on the arch...When you start to mortar it make sure you have a board or something to use as a guide that will keep the face of the bricks aligned. I mortared one brick on the left side and then while that was curing I went to the right side and did a brick. I kept alternating liek this until I met at the keystone. I didn't have a guide and my bricks were slightly offset. The direction I'm talking about is "in and out" of the oven.
Please let me know if I'm making any sense.

Keep up the good work!

~Bob

[GianniFocaccia]

Re: I'm getting closer to my Dome!

When assembling my inside arch, I used a square to keep my brick faces as vertical to the entryway floor bricks as possible.

[Aegis]

Re: I'm getting closer to my Dome!

John,

The build is looking great! You're moving a lot quicker than I did!
Some advice on the arch...When you start to mortar it make sure you have a board or something to use as a guide that will keep the face of the bricks aligned. I mortared one brick on the left side and then while that was curing I went to the right side and did a brick. I kept alternating liek this until I met at the keystone. I didn't have a guide and my bricks were slightly offset. The direction I'm talking about is "in and out" of the oven.
Please let me know if I'm making any sense.

Keep up the good work!

~Bob

Thanks for the compliment! Coming from you it is really more of an honor than compliment, your entire project is spectacular!
That is great advice! I will certainly now use a board on the backside for z-axis alignment! THANKS for the invaluable hint!
John

[Aegis]

Re: I'm getting closer to my Dome!

When assembling my inside arch, I used a square to keep my brick faces as vertical to the entryway floor bricks as possible.

Hi John,
I'll use a square to keep the board Bob suggested vertical! These are great suggestions from experienced builders! Can't buy advice like this!
Thanks
John

[Aegis]

Re: I'm getting closer to my Dome!

Ok! A little Happy Dance! The inner arch is done! Bigger dance when it stands without the form.........
Now the arch/dome transition has my pea brain fried! I think I will be getting some molding clay/ play dough or something to help me figure out the cuts. I'll post a couple of pics, as soon as I re-gain some sanity.
Thanks to all for the suggestions on the arch, I used a board and square, plus level and it came out better than expected but not as good as it could have. Some of the joints were less than stella. oh well, I'm sure the pizza won't "see those" !

[GianniFocaccia]

Re: I'm getting closer to my Dome!

Some of the joints were less than stella. oh well, I'm sure the pizza won't "see those" !

John,

Funny... for all the care and attention to detail we put into our builds, we tend to focus on the minor imperfections, wishing they weren't there. The closer I get to completing my oven the more I realize these are what gives our ovens their unique personality. Once the pizzas are flowing it sinks in that the journey was just as good as the destination.

Gotta love them Happy Dances, yeah?

[Aegis]

Re: I'm getting closer to my Dome!

Hi John,
So I can tell everyone its not a flaw, it is character! I LIKE IT!
Here are a couple of pics of the arch. Now if I can figure out how to do the dome/arch transition bricks I'll be moving again. Till then it is all stop
Thanks for everyones help!
John

[Pizza Common Sewer]

Re: I'm getting closer to my Dome!

I'm thinking that it's looking really good! Can't wait 'til I'm that far along!!!!

Congrats on a job that is well done thus far!

Bill

[brianventura]

Re: I'm getting closer to my Dome!

Wow! Very nice.

It's all coming together, and before you know it you'll be at the top.

The transition was slow going for me. I ended up with a few cuts that just didn't work and I had to re-do the angles. Keep them at the correct level compared to the rest of each ring and you'll be on your way to the finish.

Brian

[Aegis]

Re: I'm getting closer to my Dome!

I'm thinking that it's looking really good! Can't wait 'til I'm that far along!!!!

Congrats on a job that is well done thus far!

Bill

Thanks for the encouragement! It sometimes feels like I am walking through molasses in January... I am stopped today for several reasons - Most importantly its Memorial Day and I have to take time out to honor all of those Americans I owe my freedom to! THANKS and may God Bless you all and all your families!
Thanks
John & Linda