~38" build in Seattle

[CoyoteVB]

Re: ~38" build in Seattle

I am a beginner and also forgot the spacers between the floor and the soldier course. After 18 months and 3 55# bags of pizza flour I don't think it really mattered. I am pretty sure it is no longer physically attached by mortar and expands/contracts freely.

[Tscarborough]

Re: ~38" build in Seattle

Calculate the thermal expansion of the circumference of the oven VS the diameter and you will have your answer. In other words, no, there is no need for an expansion joint there.

[deejayoh]

Re: ~38" build in Seattle

Don't worry about it. It will be fine.

[pluscwc]

Re: ~38" build in Seattle

Ahh, I love panicking and worrying when I can't work. I neglected to put a cardboard spacer between the floor and the dome bricks for an expansion joint. Should I go in there and pull the floor bricks and shave them down?

I'm recovering from a back injury, probably contributed to by my crawling in the oven to clean the last bricks, so I don't relish it. At least it would be face down this time.

Any tips on pulling up floor bricks? If it was smooth I'd use a suction cup, but I'm thinking that won't work here.

[deejayoh]

Re: ~38" build in Seattle

Congrats! I am sure it feels good. Great thing is that while only a few will ever look at the inside of your dome - no one will see the outside of the plug!

[Greenman]

Re: ~38" build in Seattle

Looks good. I hope you enjoyed the well earned pint.

[pluscwc]

Re: ~38" build in Seattle

Time for a celebratory pint.

I got a little sloppy at the end, but it's all mortared together and I'm taking the rest of my afternoon off.

Yeah.

[pluscwc]

Re: ~38" build in Seattle

After taking a week off because it was too hot for me to work here in Seattle. I finished row 9 today. Took extra time because my blade finally ran out of diamonds. Probably took as much time to free the arbor nut as to drive to the hardware store and buy a new blade.

Still, finished the row tonight after sundown. Watching the mosquitos resting on the dome after biting me, I've officially put my blood and sweat into this oven. The tears have all been away from the oven itself.

I used sticks to prop up the bricks until the keystone was done, then crawled inside to clean up. Good times. I think I made the door too big, but it sure didn't feel like it while I was inside there.

I think I can do a 3 brick top layer, and finish up the dome tomorrow. Yeah.

[pluscwc]

Re: ~38" build in Seattle

Results from the calculation spreadsheet:


8" chimney:
3 meter height 0.13276 m^3/s
1 meter height 0.07665 m^3/s


6" chimney:
3 meter height 0.07468 m^3/s

I think people would agree that a 1 meter high 8" dia pipe should be sufficient for a 38" oven. What is the benefit of twice the draft? Faster heating?

[deejayoh]

Re: ~38" build in Seattle

Also - Chimney flow calculator - FYI

http://www.fornobravo.com/forum/f28/chimney-flow-rate-calculator-3905.html

[deejayoh]

Re: ~38" build in Seattle

Found it in your thread. Was this the material you stuffed into the gap? Kiln Gasket - Flat

How many tubes of caulk did you need?

I used this caulk - one tube was enough
Kaowool Caulk Details

For the gap, I stuffed it with ceramic fiber rope. It was waaay cheaper than that as I bought by the foot. IIRC, they sell it at seattle pottery supply by the foot.

[pluscwc]

Re: ~38" build in Seattle

Found it in your thread. Was this the material you stuffed into the gap? Kiln Gasket - Flat

How many tubes of caulk did you need?

I found http://www.fornobravo.com/forum/f28/...ator-3905.html which if it is to be believed shows similar performance from a 3 meter 6" pipe and a 1 meter 8" pipe. Question becomes would I be better off with the 3 meter 8" pipe and even more airflow.

[deejayoh]

Re: ~38" build in Seattle

You're over the arch, that's great! Easier to build from there on out.

Not sure about your flue question - I think there is a thread on here somewhere with a height/diameter tradeoff chart.

I ordered my caulk from a metalworking shop down in oregon. Cant remember the name but I know it's in my thread somewhere. Prices were good, but service was slow.

[pluscwc]

Re: ~38" build in Seattle

ahem, oops. ...heatbreak... yeah, that's what I meant.

[Greenman]

Re: ~38" build in Seattle

"Also, what are good sources for heartbreak caulking and stuffing if I go that route?"

Excuse my mirth but that sounds like a Freudian slip from an oven builder who has been put under 'completion pressure'.

You have done most of the hard work and one more push will put you in a good place. All the best with completing.