Starting my WFO in N. Carolina

[NCMan]

Re: Starting my WFO in N. Carolina

I managed to get all the block laid today, except for the two right in front of the chimney. I left those out to give me better access to bring the chimney up higher than the wall. It's just easier that way. Tomorrow, I'll run the chimney up high enough to have it out of the future roof elevation. Then I plan to set my anchor bolts in the top of the wall to attach my treated sill plates to. I have my Roxul insulation to cover the dome and bags of loose Perlite to fill the rest of the cavity prior to closing it all up. Hopefully soon I can work on framing up the roof, etc. Here's a couple of photos to show some of the "fun" cuts on the block I had to make around the decorative arch. I'm glad they are over with.

[NCMan]

Re: Starting my WFO in N. Carolina

I had a few hours today and managed to get a few more block laid. I hope to finish up the block enclosure and work on the chimney some more in the next couple of days. Time to break out some scaffolding, I guess. I figure I'll need it for the chimney and roof framing, anyhow.

[NCMan]

Re: Starting my WFO in N. Carolina

That is a very nice door, the oven is turning out great.

On the areas of scratchcoat not used, I would cut that off with a trowel while it is still wet so that you do not end up some stones raised more than others. I normally just butter the backs of the stone instead of spreading mortar on the surface.

Thanks for the compliments. W/the scratchcoat spots, that's usually spots where I had some mud left to use up and just wanting somewhere to use it up and not let it go to waste, etc. The rocks are all of varying thickness, so if there is a spot like that, it really isn't usually a problem. I also butter each stone and butter a spot on the wall immediately before placing the stone. W/this type of stone, as you well know, a good bond is needed. I also use an acrylic additive, either Acryl 60 or the QuikCrete brand, whichever one is handy. Right now, I'm using up a bit of each. Thanks for the comments and suggestions.

[Tscarborough]

Re: Starting my WFO in N. Carolina

That is a very nice door, the oven is turning out great.

On the areas of scratchcoat not used, I would cut that off with a trowel while it is still wet so that you do not end up some stones raised more than others. I normally just butter the backs of the stone instead of spreading mortar on the surface.

[NCMan]

Re: Starting my WFO in N. Carolina

Had some time to lay a few wall block today. Hope to be able to finish them tomorrow and start thinking about getting a roof built soon. I plan to use some rough sawn oak from a local sawmill to frame the roof with.

[NCMan]

Re: Starting my WFO in N. Carolina

Here's a couple of more photos of my door, from the side and back.

[NCMan]

Re: Starting my WFO in N. Carolina

Great idea to use the horseshoe on the door! We have loads of horseshoes laying around (my wife has horses on our property) so I am going to steal your idea and weld one to the front of my door!

Thanks. We also have plenty of them around. Most of them are very old. I figured we might as well use one.

[boerwarrior]

Re: Starting my WFO in N. Carolina

Great idea to use the horseshoe on the door! We have loads of horseshoes laying around (my wife has horses on our property) so I am going to steal your idea and weld one to the front of my door!

[NCMan]

Re: Starting my WFO in N. Carolina

That's a great door Karl! Is that antler on the handles or maybe wood?

It's wood. They were made from some mountain laurel. Thanks for the compliments.

[stonecutter]

Re: Starting my WFO in N. Carolina

Here are a couple of photos of my oven door, which I had a friend (who is in the metalworking business) fabricate for me. I forgot to take a side angle photo, but will get some soon to show all the sides, etc. It is insulated. These are just of the front.

That's a great door Karl! Is that antler on the handles or maybe wood?

[NCMan]

Re: Starting my WFO in N. Carolina

Here are a couple of photos of my oven door, which I had a friend (who is in the metalworking business) fabricate for me. I forgot to take a side angle photo, but will get some soon to show all the sides, etc. It is insulated. These are just of the front.

[NCMan]

Re: Starting my WFO in N. Carolina

Here are some general update photos. I have started on my chimney and keep plugging away at the stonework at the same time. The chimney has roughly another 32" or so to go yet. I also have four more courses of 4" block to lay, which also will be veneered w/the same stone.

[NCMan]

Re: Starting my WFO in N. Carolina

I've been making a bit of progress and here are some photos. These photos are of the isolation joint I made on my outside decorative arch. Since I'm doing a full masonry enclosure, I believe it's good to isolate the arch from the rest of the vent area, to allow for movement between the block wall, which will be attached to the outer arch, and the rest of the vent area arches. I think it's a good idea, but really only on full masonry enclosures, where they attach to the rest of the vent brick. I later caulked the joint from the outside, to keep mortar out of the joint while I sling some mud around. It probably wouldn't be very effective if it was full of mud, the way I see it. On the inside, I'll use some grey masonry caulk, since it won't be getting all that warm, w/my heat breaks.

[NCMan]

Re: Starting my WFO in N. Carolina

Thanks.

[mirassou]

Re: Starting my WFO in N. Carolina

Looks great! Awesome work