Mortar Joints

[K79]

Hello all,

I have a question regarding joint spacing. I'm no mason but I've been doing a lot of reading on this issue. I posted a picture of what I'm talking about in my thread called "K79 Oven Build". The joint spacing for my soldier course is 9/16" on the outside edge and are butted right up against each other on the inside. Is this spacing ok? Do I put firebrick wedges in there, if so do they span the entire joint? Also same question for all of my chains once I start them? Again, I'm totally new to this.

Thanks !

[Tscarborough]

Re: Mortar Joints

As tight as you can get them on the inside,the outside doesn't matter, just stuff them full of mortar. What type of refractory cement are you using?

[K79]

Re: Mortar Joints

As tight as you can get them on the inside,the outside doesn't matter, just stuff them full of mortar. What type of refractory cement are you using?

I'm not sure yet, what should I be looking for? Side note, do you live in Maine?

[K79]

Re: Mortar Joints

This illustrates my question. Also are the exact dimensions of a 9x4.5x2.5 fire brick the actual dimensions? I know cinderblocks differ.

[Les]

Re: Mortar Joints

Have the brick touch on the inside. The 1/2 spacing on the back is acceptable. I would avoid the 2 inch space. Lay the brick out differently than what you have drawn to avoid it. Also, what's up with the space at the top?

[K79]

Re: Mortar Joints

Have the brick touch on the inside. The 1/2 spacing on the back is acceptable. I would avoid the 2 inch space. Lay the brick out differently than what you have drawn to avoid it. Also, what's up with the space at the top?

The space at the top will be the keystone, but not sure what the shape will be until I figure out the spacing of the joints. If I make the 2" space smaller (say 1/2") and keep the 1/2" joints for all the rest, then my keystone will be very large at the top and very small at the bottom. Is this ok? I'll send a pic to illustrate once I have this drawn up.

Thanks

[Cheesesteak]

Re: Mortar Joints

As I built my oven - I used the many, many, many brick shims left from cutting as shims to fill all the voids between bricks. Even the 1/2" gaps. Don't know if it made any difference - but I wanted to make sure I didn't have any large mortar joints.

Your mileage may differ . . .

[K79]

Re: Mortar Joints

As I built my oven - I used the many, many, many brick shims left from cutting as shims to fill all the voids between bricks. Even the 1/2" gaps. Don't know if it made any difference - but I wanted to make sure I didn't have any large mortar joints.

Your mileage may differ . . .

There must be a minimum amount of mortar you need to use tho right. You couldn't have cut the wedges and crammed them in there with no mortar.

[K79]

Re: Mortar Joints

If I reduce the 2" gap to about 1/2" like the rest it makes my dome height way to high. This can't be unique to my oven, everyone must have come across it.



Would this option be ok to do structurally??

[Tscarborough]

Re: Mortar Joints

Do the sailors like this:

[Tscarborough]

Re: Mortar Joints

That one is 15-1/2" ceiling for a 42" oven. Soldier or sailor, just change the angle of the cut to get the ceiling height you want.

[K79]

Re: Mortar Joints

[Tscarborough]

Re: Mortar Joints

That looks fine. Don't precut your keystone though....

[K79]

Re: Mortar Joints

That'll be the last thing I cut. Thanks so much for the help!

[rsandler]

Re: Mortar Joints

I made my keystone in 3 pieces, you certainly can too. See here: http://www.fornobravo.com/forum/8/36...tml#post141968, though I imagine the way I did it is somewhat easier than the way you showed in your picture--cutting square bricks into triangles sounds tricky...