Tapir Force Steps up to the plate!

[C5dad]

Re: Tapir Force Steps up to the plate!

Robert,

The build looks like it is going well - I am jealous of the surroundings and am hoping to get a transfer up to the high country some time.

The major challenge you will have up there is that the low temps will slow down your mud curing. Take your time is the best advice. Most especially, your back and shoulders will appreciate you more. Are you using an indispensable tool? I found that it helped tremendously getting the courses up.

I will continue watching the build - looks really good!

Chris

[Alter ego]

Re: Tapir Force Steps up to the plate!

Thanks for the photos. I just had a look back at some of your build pics posted on 6th April and realised that there is still snow on the ground in the background.

I found that building an oven was hard enough without having to work outside while it is freezing!

[Tapir Force]

Re: Tapir Force Steps up to the plate!

Alter Ego,

Seventy-five feet has its advantages. I am including a couple of pictures as per your request. I should have a lot more build photo's this week. We live on the high plains just N.E. of Pike's Peak in the State of Colorado. The mountain in the first shot is Pike's Peak (14,110 foot summit). The house is the one that my wife and I have built on the rim of the Bijou Basin near the Palmer Divide in Elbert, Colorado. Even though the weather here is supposed to be warming, we have still been getting snow and heavy frosts. Thanks for your interest. The build is a challenge. I can build a lot of things, but the art of masonry on a dome is at my limits. I am mortaring in the second tier and making the transition to my entry arch today and tomorrow.

Robert

[Alter ego]

Re: Tapir Force Steps up to the plate!

This is shaping up to being a good looking build. Do you have any photos of the setting for the oven? I would like to see what your place looks like at 7,500' above sea level in the mountains. I only live about 75' above sea level

[brickie in oz]

Re: Tapir Force Steps up to the plate!

I have a 48" belt sander. If a compound cut can't be made in two passes and the brick has to be snapped, the cut can be shaped smooth.

I hope you have dust extraction controlled and not breathing it in?

I couldn't help but notice that you used a frown icon on your post. Why so glum?

Just the thought of cutting twice....

[brickie in oz]

Re: Tapir Force Steps up to the plate!

Bricki,
I went to your blog and looked at your oven. You are a very talented mason. If what I build is anywhere near as good as your work, I will be a happy man!

Thank you, all you need is 20 or 30 years of practice.... owwh, and a wild imagination..

[Tapir Force]

Re: Tapir Force Steps up to the plate!

Les,

That makes perfect sense. I will do it right now. Thanks for the tip.

Robert

[Les]

Re: Tapir Force Steps up to the plate!

To my dismay, the little pump on the saw was dead. I had cleaned it three or four times already and it had not given me a scintilla of problems up to that point.

You are fighting a losing battle if you keep the pump in the tray. Wire a bucket to the back of your saw and drop the pump into that. That way it will only pump clean water.

[Tapir Force]

Re: Tapir Force Steps up to the plate!

Bricki,
I went to your blog and looked at your oven. You are a very talented mason. If what I build is anywhere near as good as your work, I will be a happy man!

[Tapir Force]

Re: Tapir Force Steps up to the plate!

Brickie,

I am able to cut to a depth of 3.5". I have made jigs to to assist me with cuts if a second pass is needed. That said, I have also employed another tool to help shape my bricks. I have a 48" belt sander. If a compound cut can't be made in two passes and the brick has to be snapped, the cut can be shaped smooth.

I couldn't help but notice that you used a frown icon on your post. Why so glum?

Robert

[brickie in oz]

Re: Tapir Force Steps up to the plate!

I cannot say enough about the 10"brick saw from them.

Im surprised a 10" saw has the capability to cut through a brick especially at an angle?

Are you doing the cuts in two hits?

[Tapir Force]

Re: Tapir Force Steps up to the plate!

My wife and I would love to have the company and show off the oven no matter how it turns out.

[GianniFocaccia]

Re: Tapir Force Steps up to the plate!

Nice job, Robert. My company's corp office is in the Denver Tech Center. If it ever works out, next time I'm there I'd love to look you up and check out your oven.

John

[Tapir Force]

Re: Tapir Force Steps up to the plate!

Drove into Denver. HF gave me a new pump. They are selling a good saw at a fair price and they are standing behind it. I cannot say enough about the 10"brick saw from them. Managed to get back and still cutanother arch for my entry and my big push tomorrow.

[Tapir Force]

Re: Tapir Force Steps up to the plate!

Just got back from a trip yesterday prepared to do some serious cutting on my first three course of brick that sit on my soldier course. Got through the first set of angles and laid it out on the soldiers. The cuts were surprisingly accurate and my geometry genes still seem to be in tact. I sat down to do check my figures on the next course and then headed to the saw to cut them, this time both bevel and angle, but I had to clean my saw up from yesterday. I had purchased a 10"brick saw from HB and it has been a dream. I clean the saw between every session to retrieve the fireclay and allow enough water in the trough. To my dismay, the little pump on the saw was dead. I had cleaned it three or four times already and it had not given me a scintilla of problems up to that point. I bought it on April 2nd and so was under warranty. I called the store and they told me to bring it back. I hate to return the whole saw for the little pump, but I have to keep going and can't wait for a part to be shipped. Man, I was on a derned roll and can't slow down. It is a sixty mile drive.

On a separate note. The mortar work starts in earnest tomorrow. I have read that My soldiers would be adequately held by just using a mixture of fireclay and water. I am not opposed to using motar to stick them in. My sense is that the lateral pressure from the weight of the dome will be significant on the 20 degree bevel of the soldier course. Any thoughts?