A New Journey

[UtahBeehiver]

Re: A New Journey

You ever get those Americran Metalcraft peels I emailed you about at NPS?

[the_dr_masuess]

Re: A New Journey

Totally forgot to add these pictures of my block layout all assembled. Did it in Late Nov - early Dec. Haven't done anything since then. Too much snow out back. Hopefully I'll be able to fill a bunch of the cores and then begin forming the tops.

[the_dr_masuess]

Re: A New Journey

Well I finally got the block for my base out to the house. It took a long time and the stars to align so I could borrow a truck strong enough to haul and a trailer that could take the weight. Finally got it though. I've got the blocks layed out and my hammer drill ready to make some holes in the corners for all the rebar. Once the rebar is hammered in I'll stack the rest and start looking for a place that can do cement counter tops.

My friend that does cement has a pretty good hookup with counters and then I will stain them myself. I'll need them for the flanks of the Oven and the grill island and the bar. The pizza oven part I'll do on my own since I know it has to be able to withstand the weight.

[the_dr_masuess]

Re: A New Journey

WOW, that is what my Habor Freight 3.5 cubic foot cement mixer wants to be when it grows up. Great start Loren. It may be hard for you to find enough CMUs off of KSL or Craigs list for the size of your out door kitchen.

Yeah It has been pretty hard. I found someone in Herriman that has about 200 blocks supposedly and they have them listed for $100. They are red blocks but I don't care since I'll be eventually covering them with Rock. If they don't have enough then I'll most likely go through one of the local block companies and have them deliver for me. Which would change the cost from about .50-$1 to almost $2 per block. There is this guy who I drive by every day when going to and from work and he has tons of block sitting out in his yard but he said he doesn't want to sell... Maybe I'll send my wife over... she has more pull than I do.

[UtahBeehiver]

Re: A New Journey

WOW, that is what my Habor Freight 3.5 cubic foot cement mixer wants to be when it grows up. Great start Loren. It may be hard for you to find enough CMUs off of KSL or Craigs list for the size of your out door kitchen.

[GIANLUCA]

Re: A New Journey

Wish we had those trucks in ct

[the_dr_masuess]

Re: A New Journey

Well... This weekend I poured my foundations (had to get it in before the bad weather this week). I had a buddy who does concrete for a living come out and give me a hand with making sure everything was level and he had all of the tools. Initially the pour could have cost me over $1000 having to get a concrete truck and a pump to pump the concrete to the back corner of my yard... but instead I rented a little mini concrete mixer and I ended up Using 2 of them which was about 4 yards of concrete. This cost me about $500 less so thats good. I'm realizing since I'm doing everything oversized it gets quite expensive. I had to spend $100 on rebar alone for the Concrete.

It was a fun day and it looks great now that it's poured.

I'm shopping for my Cinderblock now... we'll see if I can find a good deal or just have to bite the bullet and buy from a local block supplier.

Hope you enjoy the pics.

[the_dr_masuess]

Re: A New Journey

Welcome to the world of super duty Geneva bricks, warned ya, they are 65% alumina and are #@$ on diamond blades. I would try and minimize your cuts as much as possible. Striving for a tight inside joint only. IMHO.

Yeah. Luckily most of my large cuts are complete. The majority of the cuts I have left will be smaller and less than half of the previous cuts so I think I'll have enough saw power to get through it.

[UtahBeehiver]

Re: A New Journey

Welcome to the world of super duty Geneva bricks, warned ya, they are 65% alumina and are #@$ on diamond blades. I would try and minimize your cuts as much as possible. Striving for a tight inside joint only. IMHO.

[the_dr_masuess]

Re: A New Journey

Ok so as many of you know I initially purchased two blades a cheaper one and an expensive one. With the expensive black one I was only able to cut 11 bricks in half which was far from the expectation. I was cutting very slow at many times just letting gravity do the work. I cut a medium duty fire brick with no problems but the heavy duty ones are more than twice as dense.

I contacted the manufacturer MK and after several emails they were going to replace the blade with something they said should be more suitable for cutting my super heavy duty brick.

The cheap blade is right at 11 bricks now and is still cutting pretty good. As backup in case all of these blades go out I bought an additional 3 blades for only 26 bucks from someone here locally.

When it comes to cutting I should be set.

I wanted to let everyone know that it was great to work with MK. They make great blades and have greate customer service. They reviewed pictures of my brick and blade, and found a different blade more suitable for my needs. I'm looking forward to see how the new blade will cut once the cheapy wears out.

[the_dr_masuess]

Re: A New Journey

Paint grade has a consistent surface...but that sounds high for block. If you plan to do anything other than paint use standard CMU. they should only be around 1.20-1.60

Buehner block gave me a quote for standard cmu and it was actually more @ $2.03 per block. I'll have to continue shopping around since I would like it to be delivered. Since I need about 250 blocks my Taco won't be able to take nearly that many with 1 or 2 trips max so it is more worth it to get it delivered.

[the_dr_masuess]

Re: A New Journey

Thanks Russell, I am definitely planning on a concrete countertop. I have a buddy who does concrete and his friend specializes in counters. He did his entire kitchen for about 900 bucks and they were all nicely colored. I think for the main pizza oven section though I'll do the standard concrete counter myself. we'll see though. I need to get my pad poured and then I'll be ready for the block.

[UtahBeehiver]

Re: A New Journey

Loren,

Nice start and your sketchup layout looks like it will be quite and entertainment center. FYI, Buehner block is where you can get Perlite when you get to that point. It runs about $9-10 a four cubic foot bag as well as wire ladder reinforcment for concrete counters if you go that way.

[stonecutter]

Re: A New Journey

Well guys with my front yard and sprinklers everywhere done, I started on the layout this last weekend. Got everything leveled out, went and picked up 2 truck bed loads of gravel (I have short bed Tacoma so it took 2 loads), Picked up a few 2x6's at various lengths and if everything goes well I should be able to have my foundations poured on Saturday. We are also doing a housewarming party that day so it is perfect timing to show people the project I've been working on and talking about. All I have to do before the pour is re-route the electrical to the main structure and then put a junction box so I can run another conduit back in to the grill island.

It is exciting progress for me. Next week (after I get paid) I can probably get my block ordered. So far the best price I have found is $1.84 for an 8x8x16 paint grade cinder block from a local place called buehner block. I don't know what the difference is between paint grade and standard. Does anyone know?

Paint grade has a consistent surface...but that sounds high for block. If you plan to do anything other than paint use standard CMU. they should only be around 1.20-1.60

[the_dr_masuess]

Re: A New Journey

Additional Pics. I still need to figure out how to show image in text when using my G+ album... if you guys know... let me know... I think there is a thread on it somewhere.