Tapir Force Steps up to the plate!

[brickie in oz]

Re: Tapir Force Steps up to the plate!

Brickie,

Do you have any good threads on curing the oven? Better yet, what would you suggest for a rather large and moist Pompeii in the way of curing? I am on the other side of the world and the Equator so will probably have to things in the opposite direction.

Id cover it with a large tarp or tent or something, I dont know your weather so Ill assume it wet or damp.

A large light globe left on will aid drying (100 watts or more), I used 1 in my new oven and you could feel the heat coming out of the door.

A small propane burner, camping style will work too.

I dried mine as much as possible with the light on 24/7 for 2 weeks before I added the loose vermiculite.

[Tapir Force]

Re: Tapir Force Steps up to the plate!

Brickie,

Do you have any good threads on curing the oven? Better yet, what would you suggest for a rather large and moist Pompeii in the way of curing? I am on the other side of the world and the Equator so will probably have to things in the opposite direction.

[brickie in oz]

Re: Tapir Force Steps up to the plate!

I have taken foam in a can

Great idea, instant oven in a can, just add water....

[Tapir Force]

Re: Tapir Force Steps up to the plate!

I did not think it would come soon enough. I am at the key of the dome. I have taken foam in a can (Great Stuff) and filled a plastic bag and stuffed it in the keyhole so it will dry in the shape of the key. I will cut the key in the morning. The dome was arching up and was going to be taller than I wanted. Must have been brick gremlins, but I digress. I wanted a 22"ceiling and in order to compensate for my thinner than expected mortar joints I had to adjust my drawings and my cuts on courses 8 and above. I do not believe the error is significant in terms of heat. It is round, 22" at the key and the door is 63% as per the Forno Bravo suggestion. It just looks a tad squished. But I think it is going to be very stable. I feel good about my cuts and the mortar was carefully mixed. When the housing is built around it with insulation blanket and vermiculite filling all of the voids, you will not be able to see my slightly squatting Pompeii. It has been a really enjoyable experience, and if I ever build another one, I will have a lot of improvements in my technique.

[azpizzanut]

Re: Tapir Force Steps up to the plate!

TF,

You still have some challenges left, but I think you will overcome them. Looks good so far. When you get close to the final closure you will have to decide how to do it.....fancy cuts or simple. It will be like the dash to the finish line.

Cheers,

[Tapir Force]

Re: Tapir Force Steps up to the plate!

Here is today's progress. Coming over the top and heading for the key!

[Tapir Force]

Re: Tapir Force Steps up to the plate!

Mike D,

I had considered a slurry, but after some investigation and some astute advice from a couple of mason gurus here on the site, slurry is best left for the experts. I intend to use mortar that is of a higher slump than you would normally use for buttering bricks (not so much water that it would weaken it) and forcing it into the voids, as several members have suggested.

Thanks for the interest

Robert

[Tapir Force]

Re: Tapir Force Steps up to the plate!

Hello T F,

Cure your oven slowly and don't abuse it with loads of wood while there is any chance that moisture may remain in the brick, mortar, insulation or base. With these critical areas properly dried you will lessen the chance for serious cracks. Meanwhile, your oven is coming along nicely and I am confident it will hold up to your expectations. Keep the issue in mind for the remainder of your build. Have fun.

Cheers,

AZ,

This is what I intend to do. Slow cure and have fun. I won't be rushing into cooking until this thing is drier than a camel's toenail.

[Mike D]

Re: Tapir Force Steps up to the plate!

-How are you planing on mortaring the bricks? With a slurry? Or are you going to go brick by brick/row by row (normal)?
- I like the look, I am way too much of a stickler to not see the inside of the oven when I am mortaring things in. Good Luck.

Mike

[Cheesesteak]

Re: Tapir Force Steps up to the plate!

Cheesesteak,
This is a great site because of constructive criticism delivered without malice from the people who have this similar passion.
Robert

Robert - it's not constructive criticism!! I've been told and sometimes scolded by a life-long mason I know about running joints. As I'm building my oven and setting bricks - I here him over my shoulder saying "fix that running joint!"

I'm amazed at how people can make "something from nothing.". Your oven looks great - and the setting is amazing. I'm really looking forward to seeing the final product.

Dan

[AtTheLake]

Re: Tapir Force Steps up to the plate!

Wow, looks great, you?re flying right along.
Barely a month into your build and your ready to finish the dome. I think it?s going to take longer for it to cure than it did to build.
I just cut the soldiers for my first course so hopefully I can lay them out up at the cabin this weekend. If I am lucky I will be making pizzas before the snow flies.


Mark

[azpizzanut]

Re: Tapir Force Steps up to the plate!

Hello T F,

Although you have a a few running joints shown in the photo, there are solid bricks above and below. A crack that appears there can't go to far. IMO, it is the multiple running joints that cause a problem and especially if you use soldiers at the base and a run of joints extending above them. I look at everyone's photos to see how many joints are centered and how many are perfect or acceptable. I can assure you there are not many builders who place all their bricks exactly right. I am guilty of that myself. Interestingly, I read comments about cracks from both kinds of builds. Cure your oven slowly and don't abuse it with loads of wood while there is any chance that moisture may remain in the brick, mortar, insulation or base. With these critical areas properly dried you will lessen the chance for serious cracks. Meanwhile, your oven is coming along nicely and I am confident it will hold up to your expectations. Keep the issue in mind for the remainder of your build. Have fun.

Cheers,

[Tapir Force]

Re: Tapir Force Steps up to the plate!

These are the shots that I took this afternoon after building my sand dome on the elevated false floor. The pictures show the next course with wedges sitting on the sand dome. I did not add mortar yet. I welcome any thoughts.

Robert

[Tapir Force]

Re: Tapir Force Steps up to the plate!

Cheesesteak,

There are three or four of those spots in my dome. I agree that these are potential weak spots, and I am certain that if they crack there I will be nothing short of upset. That said, I struggled with best practices vs. economy of materials. Every third course, I have been using the short end of my firebricks on edge so that they are not wasted. I cut those layers and wedged them the best that I could. I am going to be watching with my fingers crossed in hopes that my cuts and motaring were sufficient to the task. You have a really good eye to pick those out. I will let you know how they do in the curing process. This is a great site because of constructive criticism delivered without malice from the people who have this similar passion.

Robert

[Cheesesteak]

Re: Tapir Force Steps up to the plate!

Okay, now that I have had some time to think about it, I decided to put in a false floor at the equivalent of about course eight so that I might make a sand dome to act as a form for the rest of the dome. I put in bricks to hold up the floor which is cut fron 5/8"plywood. I used some plastic from old campaign signs to fill in a couple of odd shapes. I then sealed the floor with insulating foam from a can. It seems to be rock solid. I will now trim the foam and build a sand dome from wet sand. At that point I will start cutting the remainder of my brick courses and start printing pictures of my progress. If anyone sees any glaring errors in my construction process, please give me a heads up. I am capable of bone head moves that can only be described as biblical. I have to admit that I feel I am in the home stretch on the masonary portion of the build.

Robert

Wow - you're flying right along.

The only suggestion I'd offer is to make certain your mortar joints don't line up from one course to the next. In a couple of your photos - you can see joints that run vertically more than one course. (See attached pic) I believe this is a potential weak spot - one that will be prone to potential cracking.

At least I got my entry arch done before you finished . . . .