Starting my WFO in N. Carolina

[NCMan]

Had a nice weekend weather wise, so I went out and started scratching around at the build site. First on my agenda is moving this rock, then I have some digging to do.

[cobblerdave]

Re: Starting my WFO in N. Carolina

Gudday
I was going to suggest just rolling down the slope behind .... Then I noticed the carved squirrel in the way....Oooops!
Regards dave

[NCMan]

Re: Starting my WFO in N. Carolina

Hey Dave,
That'd be one way, but I guess the camera angle is funny. It's actually quite uphill. The carved squirrel, Mountain Dan, is watching over the project and will be the first to let me know when he thinks I'm nuts.

[Tscarborough]

Re: Starting my WFO in N. Carolina

Call me lazy, but that would be an integral part of the oven right where it lays.

[Campmaki]

Re: Starting my WFO in N. Carolina

Hey Dave,
That'd be one way, but I guess the camera angle is funny. It's actually quite uphill. The carved squirrel, Mountain Dan, is watching over the project and will be the first to let me know when he thinks I'm nuts.

A blind squirrel even finds a nut!!!!!!!

[NCMan]

Re: Starting my WFO in N. Carolina

Hey Lazy, err.....Tscarborough,
I honestly haven't even thought of that. Now ya got my gears a spinnin'. I like the way you think. It is at "about" the front left corner of the (future) foundation location right where she sits. Hmmm......time for a conference w/Mountain Dan.

[NCMan]

Re: Starting my WFO in N. Carolina

I think I will indeed make it a part of the project, but still temporarily scoot it out of the way. But not far.

[NCMan]

Re: Starting my WFO in N. Carolina

Got the rock temporarily scooted out of the way and did a bit of manual earthmover operation today. Will post more pics when I get the slab formed up.

[stonecutter]

Re: Starting my WFO in N. Carolina

What was your question regarding the slab?

[NCMan]

Re: Starting my WFO in N. Carolina

No question at all. It is more a weather and time issue, more than anything else. I have plenty of experience w/concrete forming and pouring and it will be no problem at all. Still working on the exact size, but it will be a monolithic pour, minimum of 4" thick throughout, w/thickened edges at a minimum of 8", all four edges. I will use #4 (1/2") rebar throughout the slab, on approx. 1' centers, tied w/wire. Around the whole perimeter, at approx. 2" off the base I plan to beef it up w/2- #5's (5/8") rebar. The 5/8" rebar will be approx. 1/3 the total thickness of the slab off the ground. In other words, in the bottom third of the slab for maximum loadbearing effectiveness. The grid of #4's will be lifted up to approx. halfway in the 4" thick slab area. All this on a compacted (by hand) gravel base, covered by 6 mil poly placed prior to rebar install. I'll use a 3000 psi concrete mix, w/fibermesh, pea gravel mix. I am just going to have the concrete delivered. All this is just my preference and not meant to imply that someone doing it different is in any way wrong. It's just how I do it from experience and it has always served me well. When I pour the base slab, I will be adding some color hardener to the front "wood storage" area and "stamping" in some cobblestone while it's still in a plastic state. I have the coloring, a texture mat and plenty of release agent, so why not? It's the only spot that will be visible later, so I'll just do that small area when pouring and just leave the rest of the slab mag float finished. Once that "cobblestone" is hard for a day or so, it gets washed off, scrubbed a bit, let dry for a week or so, then get two coats of clear seal. I'll have to protect it during construction.

[NCMan]

Re: Starting my WFO in N. Carolina

Here's an updated photo of the worksite. Plenty more white stuff to come, they are saying. Should warm up by the weekend, though.

[NCMan]

Re: Starting my WFO in N. Carolina

Here is a photo of a little fire pit base I did here last year, showing the decorative concrete coping I did w/plain ol' concrete mix. This is what I will do in the wood storage area when I pour my base slab. It is basically what is commonly called stamped concrete and is easy to do. When people see it, they can't believe it's just concrete, made to look like real "stone". A real money and labor saver, for those on a budget.

[kbartman]

Re: Starting my WFO in N. Carolina

Cool.......looks great, nice work! Are they poured in place or cast then set ?

Look forward to following your build.

[NCMan]

Re: Starting my WFO in N. Carolina

It is actually formed and poured in place plain old concrete mix. I ran (2) #3 (3/8") rebar throughout. It is plenty strong, being one continuous piece. I didn't need to, but when I hand mixed it, I added a bit of Portland I had on hand, just to beef it up. On my build, I plan to do some of the same type of work, but on the front (vertical) side. That is done totally different, but is basically achieving the same look.

[kbartman]

Re: Starting my WFO in N. Carolina

The forms must have to be pulled off soon after a firm set up?