Texman Build

[texman]

Re: Texman Build

Good stuff Tracy. I figured the math out at about the same point in my dome...

I have been working on a spreadsheet that will give the calcs for a whole oven - number of courses, number of bricks per course, angle each course, angle of the side of each brick, width of the brick.

I just haven't found the time to finish it, but if I can I thought it might be something I can contribute back to the community. Just requires you to give the radius of the oven and the height of the soldiers, and figures everything else out.

I was sitting here thinking " i could put that on a spreadsheet"
JCG31 did the this chart which is great, but once you have a deviation from normal, you are off. I like calcing each course based on the one below. I did first two courses vertical and then began the dome curve. So i would have to calc each course.
I am glad you get it, it started to sound like gobbly-gook as i was writing it. It is one of those "as simple as it can be, but no simpler things." This would have been great starting on the first course. What makes me feel stupid, is i did all this for the arch and even drew it out and made a pattern and proved it worked and then just forgot it all and started cutting bricks like i knew what i was doing for the dome. And then did that same thing for 10 courses.
O well, i blame mine on the grief of starting over. Will anyone believe me?

[cloita]

Re: Texman Build

Texman, thank you for the protractor tool!

[texman]

Re: Texman Build

I found mine at Lowes.

[cloita]

Re: Texman Build

Going to be a great help, thanks again.

[texman]

Re: Texman Build

Course 11 is in. The IT arm is out. The caster that pivots at the base is so packed with mortar that it seized up and will not turn anymore. Note to other builders using a caster, wrap it in tape or something to keep it clean throughout your build. The clamp was in the way anyway.
Didn't get a chance to clean 11 yet, but it is tight and turned out good. Still had to shave some of the bricks to get the best joint. There are no cookie cutter ovens, i don't think.
I think i will need course 12 and a plug. Trying to do the math for that last course.
My son had several friends over for fireworks and ordered about 6 Pizza hut pizzas. I hope the oven will pardon me from my indiscretion.
Tracy

[deejayoh]

Re: Texman Build

That looks really good Tracy! Nice work

[flyfisherx]

Re: Texman Build

Looking really good! Your almost there!

[UtahBeehiver]

Re: Texman Build

Wow Tex,

I was reviewing your process for calc. these rows and went, holy #@$, but seeing the results I have to say holy #@%$, nice closing courses. Going to follow this close, I am a few courses behind you.

[texman]

Re: Texman Build

Thanks
It does take a lot of time, as we all know. I had that course in and sat down for a beverage, knowing that it wasn't as good as i wanted. Drank the beer and went back and removed two bricks, chunked one and recut another and reset the two and got the result i wanted. I set all that course in pairs. it really helped. i mortared the two together and then buttered the whole mess and worked them in together. That really helped on these higher courses.
Tracy

[UtahBeehiver]

Re: Texman Build

Thanks for the tip on pairs, going to keep that in mind.

[texman]

Re: Texman Build

Sorry about the drawing
This is my plan for closing the dome. Instead of a 12th course and a plug, i would like to do the 7 brick configuration attached. I know i have seen other builds finish this way, but cant remember who, so credit to you for this.
Any concerns with this structurally? I plan to bevel both sides of the bricks so they fit the opening and lock together with little mortar.
I used the cardboard to get the opening size at top and bottom an get rough cuts on the bricks.
Tracy

[deejayoh]

Re: Texman Build

Tracy -
I tried that sort of closing on my dome. I hope you have better luck than I did, as I couldn't get it to work. I ended using small pie wedgs, which I found worked much more easily

I also did the *exact* same thing as you with the cardboard on the string!

[texman]

Re: Texman Build

i think i am gonna cut another course and then the plug. Seems like the other way is gonna be more difficult and might cause some different stress than the normal close w/ plug. it is just another 10 bricks or so. My back is getting tired from bending over the dome and ducking under the roof. It has been over a 100 degree everday and 95 at 9 oclock in the evening. just need to take my time and close it right.

[texman]

Re: Texman Build

Dome is closed! Happy with the results. This is a very difficult project, but very rewarding. I am so glad to have the dome finished. The IT and base are out. Cut the pressboard with a circular saw set very carefully and then broke the board to get it out. Glad to see the floor again. The oven is still dirty, but apparently fire will take care of that or should it be cleaned?

I need advice on the vent. My oven is 37.5" with a 19.5" dome height. (not sure how that happened) 18" inch inner arch wide with a 12" height. I am thinking a 6" flue unless the forum thinks otherwise. I will have a tall chimney since my oven is in a covered area, so draw will be improved from the height.

Still trying to finalize enclosure plans, probably be a framed concrete board scenario.
Tracy

[Amac]

Re: Texman Build

That looks really brilliant Tracy - especially the "flower" finsish in Pic2.

Still trying to finalize enclosure plans, probably be a framed concrete board scenario.

If I had built in an enclosed space like you I would definitely go for an "igloo" finish. I am doing that anyway with an option to build an enclosure later if I get problems.

Did you write off that idea for a reason - or just personal preference?