WFO Build in Connecticut

[flyfisherx]

Re: WFO Build in Connecticut

Yes, my dome sits on my floor. I did not see much merit to the reasons for doing the dome inside. (Ease of floor brick replacement etc.) versus all the cutting needed to fit inside the dome.

I am trying to get away with doing the least work possible.

[Neil2]

Re: WFO Build in Connecticut

"I would love to know the proper way for my build."

Either. People have built their ovens both ways with equal success.

I opted for the "dome on floor" approach simply to avoid detail cutting of the floor bricks to fit the walls.

[videts38]

Re: WFO Build in Connecticut

John,
Is this a case for building the dome on top of the floor verses the floor inside the doom?? Am I wrong,I thought the idea was to sweep ash into the open spaces of the brick floor to close up and smooth out the inperfections of the floor. I would love to know the proper way for my build. I finished putting up the stand today and I think I will be close to starting the floor in another month or so after the hearth.

[UtahBeehiver]

Re: WFO Build in Connecticut

Well, looks like pizzas in Conneticut before Utah, way to go. I think I am a course away from closing the arch. Hotter than a dickens here so staging my work to take advantage of the shade and I am getting quite a farmer's tan. A lot of neighborhood interest in the WFO, maybe wishful thinking on their end that they will get invited for pizza

[flyfisherx]

Re: WFO Build in Connecticut

Thanks Russell. I have a vacation week on Aug 13th. I am not going anywhere and hope to use that week for the curing fires. I think I can make it. 7th course done and past the arch. On the 8th now.

[UtahBeehiver]

Re: WFO Build in Connecticut

Fish,

From your photo album, looks like we are both at similar stages in our builds, Labor day?? I was estimating for late August so I guess we are right in there on schedule. Build is looking good.

[flyfisherx]

Re: WFO Build in Connecticut

Thanks for the invite John. I will definitely give you a shout. I was just down in Southbury buying 80 more bricks from Mike. Looks like your Labor Day prediction for dome completion that you said the last time I was there might come true....I hope. It's gonna be close!

[Aegis]

Re: WFO Build in Connecticut

Yup... I went with aesthetics as well and I paid attention to the easy viewable places such as the back wall. But once you get your outer arch on and all that the easy view starts to reduce tremendously. So I hid my short bricks close to the arch entrance.

Hi Dave, I did not pay as much attention to the seams as I should have, but did try to keep the small bricks in the front. I had a huge crack in my dome from floor expansion.(my fault for not being more attentive to cleaning out the gap between the floor and dome) But if you looked at this fissure running up the wall, not only did the crack appear in a couple of mortar joints but at least one firebrick cracked So, I agree with Faith that seam alignment is almost purely in the eye of the beholder.

From my personal experience I have found no one willing to stick their body and head into the oven when is running as 700 degrees to check out my seams.

Faith, My wife wanted to stick my body in there a few times, although I suspect it had nothing to do with seam watching - does that count?
Dave, you are doing a great job and if you need the wife to chill a bit, you are both invited here for Pizza.
John

[Faith In Virginia]

Re: WFO Build in Connecticut

Yup... I went with aesthetics as well and I paid attention to the easy viewable places such as the back wall. But once you get your outer arch on and all that the easy view starts to reduce tremendously. So I hid my short bricks close to the arch entrance.

From my personal experience I have found no one willing to stick their body and head into the oven when is running as 700 degrees to check out my seams.

That is also why I kept all my bricks the same size in each run and adjusted the one next to the arch. I think having different size bricks catches the eye quicker then the occasional stacked seam.

[UtahBeehiver]

Re: WFO Build in Connecticut

faith, fish, tex,

I value all of you guys opinions, IMHO, vertical stacking on one or two seams , as Faith says won't bring down the house. I guess for me it is more of an asthetic goal than a structual goal. I put my prettiest bricks where I can see them from the opening. Do I have oops, yeah, just trying to hide them. Some people spend there artistic skills on the outside and inside as well. All opinions are valid, just where you want to place your emphasis.

Tex, I quoted early in my thread, this oven cost me double, the cost of the build, and the cost of the better half's shopping while I work on the oven

[texman]

Re: WFO Build in Connecticut

I usually strive for perfection as I do things but am finding that my impatiance is winning allowing for imperfections to occur. If I don't get this thing done I'm going to go nuts.

This thing is VERY time consuming. The wife is starting to complain

You have a great build going and it does stress the family unit sometimes. I have had to put my trowel done and turn the saw off many times when all I wanted to do was cut brick. Just wanted to offer some encouragement to stay the course, because you will know every joint that you wish you could do different later and they will be there for eternity (or long time anyway). I have found that my wife has more time to shop since i am working on the oven so much and a good bottle of wine helps her relax while i am working.
Tracy

[flyfisherx]

Re: WFO Build in Connecticut

Faith, I perfectly understand your point. I am doing this more for myself than anything else. The visual aspect of the staggered brick appeals to me and my anal retentiveness

I usually strive for perfection as I do things but am finding that my impatiance is winning allowing for imperfections to occur. If I don't get this thing done I'm going to go nuts.

This thing is VERY time consuming. The wife is starting to complain

I am at a crossroads. Who cares about the visulal aspects of the brick versus having to look at it later and kicking myself for not being a little more patient.

Thanks for giving me the confidence that it should stand regardless of how the joints line up.

[Faith In Virginia]

Re: WFO Build in Connecticut

I have been following this post for a while and have found it interesting. I really find it interesting that there is so much stress put onto this alignment of seams.

Yes I do agree that having some overlap of one seam to the next is ideal but in this particular type of project not that critical.

I'm not suggesting that you have 4 or 5 runs with all the seams lined up is a great idea but having one seam over another will not bring down the house.

I think the majority of structural cracking in any masonry structure is due to the foundation and no amount of stagger of seams will prevent this. How many walls have you seen with that big zig zag crack running up the wall? That is caused by a failed footer.

So if a stagger of a 16" block is not safe from structural cracking then a small firebrick of 3.5' or less with and overlap as small as .5" really does not prevent any cracking.

So it's just my opinion that putting so much effort to prevent one seam from lining up with a lower seam is pointless in this build.

all due respect, Faith

[flyfisherx]

Re: WFO Build in Connecticut

I think the idea is that bottom of your bricks for next course will be about as wide as the tops of the previous course. That way you theoretically stay in bond if you manage to keep the seams consistent.

It's easier if you only cut bricks as you go.

This formula is spot on. Works like a charm. I got 1/2 7th course completed last night after work. Plan to do the other half tonight and tie in this weekend over the arch and start the 8th.

Its getting steep now

[UtahBeehiver]

Re: WFO Build in Connecticut

tex and fish,

Like this "lie to ya", the closer bricks next to my arch have been lying to me all week... I have had to make some smaller adjustment bricks to try and avoid vertical stacking and hoping it does not come to haunt me in later courses. I am hoping you two figure out all of this stuff before I get there so I have some guidance.