42" build in Central Texas

[Cyungle]

Re: 42" build in Central Texas

Yikes! We don't have many snakes where I live in Arizona but I have to wear gloves when working on the WFO because there seems to be a scorpion under anything I leave on the ground.

[mrchipster]

Re: 42" build in Central Texas

Yikes! We don't have many snakes where I live in Arizona but I have to wear gloves when working on the WFO because there seems to be a scorpion under anything I leave on the ground.

I feel blessed the scariest thing that crawls out from under my oven is an. Occasional chipmunk

[stonecutter]

Re: 42" build in Central Texas

I feel blessed the scariest thing that crawls out from under my oven is an. Occasional chipmunk

That was me in CT, but down here in SC there are spiders everywhere. We had the house and shed sprayed, but last week I was doing the stone flip, checking for creepy crawlies, and saw a couple huge black widows. I won't be storing any wood or anything in the vault....never planned to, but those widows sealed the deal.

[Tscarborough]

Re: 42" build in Central Texas

Yes that is why mine is small and isolated from the rest of the structure. Too many bugs.

[GarnerAC]

Re: 42" build in Central Texas

Got the vent and outer arch up today. Feel pretty good about it.

First off I want to say how much I like the Heat Stop 50 Mortar. I see photos of some of you guys having to support your dome bricks with all kinds of stilts and contraptions, waiting a long time before moving on. I never had to wait more that a few minutes before I could remove support or move on to the next brick. This stuff sets up quick if I mix it dry OR I can spray it down wetter if I want more slip.
Anyway, just wanted to run a couple things by. Do you think this is enough vent area to draw up into my 8" SSDW pipe? Its 4.5" x 12" free and clear.
Also I wish I had taken the outer arch apex a bit lower than I did, just for aesthetics. I wanted a reveal of course but I wanted to be able to get a door in and out without a struggle. See any issue here?

[deejayoh]

Re: 42" build in Central Texas

That looks great. The flue should be plenty big. IIRC, the area of the 8" pipe is about 50" and your opening is 54" so it should flow just fine.

As far as creepy crawlies go - we're pretty good up here except for the hobo spiders that like to hide in the woodpile.

[cobblerdave]

Re: 42" build in Central Texas

Got the vent and outer arch up today. Feel pretty good about it.

First off I want to say how much I like the Firestop 50 Mortar. I see photos of some of you guys having to support your dome bricks with all kinds of stilts and contraptions, waiting a long time before moving on. I never had to wait more that a few minutes before I could remove support or move on to the next brick. This stuff sets up quick if I mix it dry OR I can spray it down wetter if I want more slip.
Anyway, just wanted to run a couple things bky. Do you think this is enough vent area to draw up into my 8" SSDW pipe? Its 4.5" x 12" free and clear.
Also I wish I had taken the outer arch apex a bit lower than I did, just for aesthetics. I wanted a reveal of course but I wanted to be able to get a door in and out without a struggle. See any issue here?

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Gudday
It's good to hear some positive and detailed comments on how to work with heatstop mortar. I take inboard your comment on working times and the mist of water to give you slip.
You can't go wrong with an 8 in chimney. These ovens breath quite well without, but adding a chimney saves on eyebrows so it must be big enough like yours to work at keeping the smoke and heat away
Regards dave

[stonecutter]

Re: 42" build in Central Texas

Got the vent and outer arch up today. Feel pretty good about it.

First off I want to say how much I like the Firestop 50 Mortar. I see photos of some of you guys having to support your dome bricks with all kinds of stilts and contraptions, waiting a long time before moving on. I never had to wait more that a few minutes before I could remove support or move on to the next brick. This stuff sets up quick if I mix it dry OR I can spray it down wetter if I want more slip.
Anyway, just wanted to run a couple things by. Do you think this is enough vent area to draw up into my 8" SSDW pipe? Its 4.5" x 12" free and clear.
Also I wish I had taken the outer arch apex a bit lower than I did, just for aesthetics. I wanted a reveal of course but I wanted to be able to get a door in and out without a struggle. See any issue here?

I have built four ovens using HS 50 and my current one and a bunch of historic beehive ovens with fire clay mortar. The heat stop does grab a bit faster, but it's pricey. I don't use forms for building the dome until the last 3 courses, then it is a quarter form that freely moves. If you don't saturate the brick, you won't have falling brick....even the fire clay mortar grabs very well.

As far as your vent opening, it should be fine, although I would have went a bit wider for a 42". And with your flared entry, you should have no problems removing or placing your door...you might want to make it a shade smaller ( 1/4") than your reveal so it doesn't catch.

[GarnerAC]

Re: 42" build in Central Texas

Very Cool website Stonecutter! Beautiful Veneer on the Fireplace. Ive always loved the Mayan and Machu Picchu styles

[Southboom]

Re: 42" build in Central Texas

Very nice looking oven so far, wish i'd live in a warmer climate right now. Weather has dramatically changed to colder degrees.

[stonecutter]

Re: 42" build in Central Texas

Thanks! That was a fun project.

[GarnerAC]

Re: 42" build in Central Texas

Got the vent completed this afternoon. I used Split bricks to finish up, very EZ to work with. Now that Im done with Firebrick I'll be moving on the Hearth to get it up to grade for Granite or whatever I come up with. Suggestions welcome.....
Then, I guess Insulation and structure.
How many boxes of 1" 50sq-ft Insulating Blanket will I need to get at least 3"? I have almost 2 full boxes now.

[GarnerAC]

Re: 42" build in Central Texas

Check out my resident OWL whoooo lives right above the WFO. I put up an Owl box about 3 years ago and earlier this year one finally appeared!
Its an Eastern Screech Owl.
I have gotten some cool photos of her from my bathroom window which is about 10 feet from the box.

[stonecutter]

Re: 42" build in Central Texas

striking eyes

[Southboom]

Re: 42" build in Central Texas

They're beautiful animals, your lucky to have one that close to your house

Their call is very haunting, i picture them in a dim and cold graveyard at night.

Got to love nature's own way of dealing with disguise:

Portrait of an Eastern Screech Owl - Traveler Photo Contest 2013 - National Geographic