gt40's Pompeii Oven 42" build log

[benguilford]

Re: gt40's Pompeii Oven 42" build log

gt40, your build looks brilliant. You should be proud of your progress to date, I'll be keeping a close eye on how you tie your arch into your dome (I'm not quite there yet, but that seems to be the tricky part of this whole project).

That's a different take on the indispensable tool, do you have to adjust it for each new row? I have been thinking it would be handy to have an indispensable tool to build a neapolitan style dome.

[gt40]

Re: gt40's Pompeii Oven 42" build log

update:

did another couple of rows and almost past the arch hope to finish the transition between the dome and arch tomorrow. I can't wait till it goes up a bit and the number of bricks decreases a bit. over 16 bricks per row on the early ones. I found I was starting to get wavy so I made an adjustable indespensible tool:



Here are a few more pics:

[brickie in oz]

Re: gt40's Pompeii Oven 42" build log

With the size of the flue at the bottom that baby will suck the toppings right off the pizza.

[gt40]

Re: gt40's Pompeii Oven 42" build log

Update:

redid the oven opening and managed to lay another course. Finally it is starting to look like something. Pics:

[gt40]

Re: gt40's Pompeii Oven 42" build log

Update:

I found loose brick on the left side and had to redo the arch. I also cleaned the mortar off all the angled setting course. Then I made the second arch. Now both the inner and outer arch are built and curing. Everything looks straight on the arches themselves but the left brick that the arch supports needed to be put in with a bit more mortar so things could end up symmetrical on the arches. As a result, my oven opening has acquired a bit of "character".

I will post pics later

[gt40]

Re: Reinforcing your stand: Good move!

Your build looks good, and much cleaner than most!

I was glad to see you take the advice to reinforce your stand. Are you confident the stand and oven will take the 'big one'?

I mean earthquakes, since you are sitting over one of the most active group of faults in the world.

P.S. You might do a search on 'banding', 'band' or something like that. I've read where some, on fornobravo.com, expect the band to lose its temper at 600 F and no longer support the soldier course.

Thanks for the feedback. I think the current reinforced stand has a better chance of surviving a quake than blocks would. It is really strong at this point. As far as the dome, I hate to even think about it.

With regards to the banding, you raise a valid point. After thinking about it, I was thinking in terms of taking a 2" wide 1/8" thick steel bar and bending it around the circumference of the oven. Alternatively, I could use steel strapping like 321 stainless which is very heat resistant.

Thanks again for the feed back - I am learning as I go. Case in point was covering the angle course with some mortar that I now have to grind off.

[Lburou]

Reinforcing your stand: Good move!

Your build looks good, and much cleaner than most!

I was glad to see you take the advice to reinforce your stand. Are you confident the stand and oven will take the 'big one'?

I mean earthquakes, since you are sitting over one of the most active group of faults in the world.

P.S. You might do a search on 'banding', 'band' or something like that. I've read where some, on fornobravo.com, expect the band to lose its temper at 600 F and no longer support the soldier course.

[gt40]

Re: gt40's Pompeii Oven 42" build log

Hi gt40,

Just wanted to give you a heads up that trying to remove that form for the arch is going to be a little b***h... I see that your form is a one piece styrofoam/FB board? You're going to have to cut that baby in half in order to remove it. A few people here usually set up a half form with the top round half supported by bricks or 2x4s below, so it's easy to remove once the arch sets. Just a heads up for your next arch.

Awesome build so far! Congrats!

aceves

I thought I would throw a bit of acetone on it and it will melt like the wicked witch in Wizard of Oz

[aceves]

Re: gt40's Pompeii Oven 42" build log

Hi gt40,

Just wanted to give you a heads up that trying to remove that form for the arch is going to be a little b***h... I see that your form is a one piece styrofoam/FB board? You're going to have to cut that baby in half in order to remove it. A few people here usually set up a half form with the top round half supported by bricks or 2x4s below, so it's easy to remove once the arch sets. Just a heads up for your next arch.

Awesome build so far! Congrats!

aceves

[gt40]

Re: gt40's Pompeii Oven 42" build log

There has been much discussion here on the outward thrust created when employing full soldiers in low domes. This site discusses the stability notions of vaulted structures:

Auroville Earth Institute, training courses, workshops on Vaults, Arches, Domes(VAD), stabilized rammed earth walls, compressed earth blocks, vaulted structures, compressed stabilised earth blocks, rammed earth.

Here's a thread that discusses both buttressing and brick bonding:

http://www.fornobravo.com/forum/f21/...ect-13371.html

I thought I recognized your Pacific Clay bricks. I bought the same kind only there were seconds.

John

I thought I would make a steel band with a turnbuckle and wrap it around the bottom course of bricks.

On another note, I made my first arch. I actually made 2 before I settled on this one. I have never made a brick arch before and it was a bit interesting. I had hoped to make the inside one too but I need another day. It is a little rough but should be functional with small mortar joints at least.

Here are a few pics:









Thanks for looking

[GianniFocaccia]

Re: gt40's Pompeii Oven 42" build log

There has been much discussion here on the outward thrust created when employing full soldiers in low domes. This site discusses the stability notions of vaulted structures:

Auroville Earth Institute, training courses, workshops on Vaults, Arches, Domes(VAD), stabilized rammed earth walls, compressed earth blocks, vaulted structures, compressed stabilised earth blocks, rammed earth.

Here's a thread that discusses both buttressing and brick bonding:

http://www.fornobravo.com/forum/f21/...ect-13371.html

I thought I recognized your Pacific Clay bricks. I bought the same kind only there were seconds.

John

[gt40]

Re: gt40's Pompeii Oven 42" build log

Thanks for the feedback. I am learnings as I go along.

Great-looking start to the dome, GT. Curious, what kind of firebricks did you get? Given your low-dome design, will you be buttressing your soldiers?

John

The bricks are medium duty firebricks from Pacific Clay in California. I got them from a place called West LA Building materials. I am not sure if I understand "buttressing your soldiers". If you have an example I would love to see it.

The way you have bagged the top of the angle course will make it more difficult for the next bed joint to adhere to the bricks below, especially if the bagging becomes dry and powdery.

I have been running a wet rag which I periodically dip in water to keep the bottom course wet + soaking each new brick just before I put it on. I thought the little mortar left would level a few spots out but I guess when I stick the new bricks it is the same thing. Hopefully it will work

[brickie in oz]

Re: gt40's Pompeii Oven 42" build log

The way you have bagged the top of the angle course will make it more difficult for the next bed joint to adhere to the bricks below, especially if the bagging becomes dry and powdery.

[GianniFocaccia]

Re: gt40's Pompeii Oven 42" build log

Great-looking start to the dome, GT. Curious, what kind of firebricks did you get? Given your low-dome design, will you be buttressing your soldiers?

John

[BriggsARNP]

Re: gt40's Pompeii Oven 42" build log

You're going to be able to roast a stuffed camel in that thing. It looks really good so far.