Johnfm43 Build

[fabby]

Re: Johnfm43 Build

glad to see you are starting up again. it's exciting once you get the dome going.

regarding the mortar, I did not mortar my floor but did use refrac mortar on everything else, including my first course. My dome bricks were not precision cut as I did used headers, so I had big gaps to fill.

What helped me was to set a deadline for completion of my oven. Funny how it came together as it is a lot of work. I had all kinds of help and supplies turn up when least expected, but I kept focusing in on my completion date. The old "write down you goals" and they do come true.

[johnfm43]

Re: Johnfm43 Build

I am need of some help. I have put in the solider course and tried to cut the halves to fit tight together. But even as close as i cut them it still appears that there is some small gaps. I did not put mortor between them I am planning on laying several layers of insulation and stucco. Should I take them apart and install mortor between them to insure no gaps?

Thanks
Johnfm43

[johnfm43]

Re: Johnfm43 Build

Ok it is time to get started again. I think that I will try and set the record for the longest time to build an oven. I have had several things impede my progress over the past 2 years. I hope to make some good progress over the next three weeks before I go to Alaska to work for 35 days. My goal is to finish by Sept 1. But, not saying what year. I will post pictures soon.

[johnfm43]

Re: Johnfm43 Build

Yes. It has been a few weeks since I have done anything on it. As you might have read under the insulation Thread that I posted, I messed up on the thickness of the insulation layer. I am waiting until I get Fiber board insulation before I can go any further.

Also I am the Head Football Coach at the local high school. We have been going non stop for the past 3 weeks. The school that I teach at uses a modified year round schedule. That is six weeks on with one week off. So teaching and double days of football has put a stop to all progress. The month of September might be better.

[aceves]

Re: Johnfm43 Build

Hi John,

It's been a while since your last post. Any updates on your build?

aceves

[dmun]

Re: Johnfm43 Build

It looks a little generous on the rebar, but there's no reason other than thrift to use less. Looks good.

[johnfm43]

Re: To much steel?

I bent and installed the rebar getting ready to pour the hearth.

I do have two questions, first, did I need this much steel. I have 1 foot squares laid out.

Also in the first image you can see a front piece that I am using to help hold the cantilevered front. Did I do this right or should have I just run end pieces out front. Also, it is only about 3 inches from the curve, is this to close. If I pull it back it will not hang over the block.

Thanks in advance for the reply
Johnfm43

[johnfm43]

Re: Johnfm43 Build

Yes on both.
Those are red fire bricks. I found them at $0.50 each for both red and the white. The yard must have had them for sometime, there were blackberry vines and weeds growing around them. For that price, I would have picked the blackberries for them if they would have asked. I could only get 280 in my truck. I will have to make another trip soon to get more. I need them for my Parrilla and for the fireplace.

M is for my Last name. I think it will give it a cool look when it is in the oven, it is spaced so you can see it through the front opening, I think. I wanted to use black fire bricks but, I was not willing to pay $13.95 each plus shipping. I only used 9 but, that would have cost almost as much as I payed for the 280 I got.

[aceves]

Re: Johnfm43 Build

John,

Very inventive on the oven floor design!! I dig the creativity! Is that red fire brick? M is for your last name, correct? Very cool indeed.

aceves

[johnfm43]

Re: Johnfm43 Build-Floor design

Here is a picture of the floor design I have for my oven.

Johnfm43

[johnfm43]

Re: Johnfm43 Build

Chidding, Aceves,
Thanks for the reassurance. I went ahead and completed the base. I used 73-8X8X16, 6-8X8X8 and 21-4X8X16. I also used 4-80Lb sacks of Morter. As you can see from my pictures My wood area is out of square by 2 inches. I did not catch it until the end of the 3rd course. But, I knew that it did not make a difference. I had planned on faceing it with brick, I will make it square then.

I will pour every other core tomorrow and install the rebar. I am hopeing to pour the slab on wednesday or friday. I will be going thursday to bay area to pick up some fire bricks. I have called H. C. Muddox three times starting in, March, in hopes of getting seconds from them but, everytime they tell me that they do not sell thier seconds anymore.

Thanks Johnfm43

[aceves]

Re: Johnfm43 Build

John,

I believe a 47" cooking floor height will work out just fine. You're tall, so that will help you avoid having to crouch down every time to place and remove a pizza from the WFO. The only "negative" side-effect will be that if your hearth ends up being too tall for the wife or everybody else, you'll be the "designated" pizza handler to place and remove the pizzas from your oven. But... is that really a "negative" side-effect???

aceves

[chidding]

Re: Johnfm43 Build

I would rather have the oven higher, simply for the fact that you can make a small step for shorter poeple, but you cant ever raise it higher..

My personal opinion.. im sure it will differ from most.

[johnfm43]

Re: Johnfm43 Build

Ok. I am at a quandary. I am about to finish the final layer of blocks. It now appears that my floor height will be 47". I know that this has been discussed a lot. I am 6' and my wife is 5'4". Should I use 4" blocks instead of 8" blocks.

Johnfm43

[chidding]

Re: Johnfm43 Build

Looks like a huge project! cant wait to see how this progresses!.