Starting my WFO in N. Carolina

[checker1965]

Re: Starting my WFO in N. Carolina

This really looks nice NCMan. I dont know how you guys visualize and form up the arches with ease. I've been reviewing the techniques that everyone provides and when I see the results, its pretty amazing. Keep the pictures coming and great job!
~Checker

[NCMan]

Re: Starting my WFO in N. Carolina

This really looks nice NCMan. I dont know how you guys visualize and form up the arches with ease. I've been reviewing the techniques that everyone provides and when I see the results, its pretty amazing. Keep the pictures coming and great job!
~Checker

Checker...thanks for the compliments. I am far from being an expert at oven building, as this is my first experience w/it, although masonry in general and concrete I do have some experience with. I sure have learned alot from this Forum. I also need to send kudos out to all the "been there, done that" guys and gals on here who lend a hand to guys like us when we need it. It's invaluable. If you have questions, I would ask away, as I am pretty sure someone can help. Also, read through some of the build threads and you can learn alot there, too. Thanks again for the compliments and I will be sure to post a picture or two as I make progress.

[UtahBeehiver]

Re: Starting my WFO in N. Carolina

NC,

Not sure I can agree the Campmaki that it was an easy fix but IHMO it was the correct fix especially with a brick chimney. You will be happier in the long run. Although too late for you, any of the builders trying to figure out how to taper their arch bricks, do a Google search for General Tools and they have a free program (although buried in their web site) called the Angleizer which helps you determine all the sizes on a taper arch brick, joint size, etc.

[NCMan]

Re: Starting my WFO in N. Carolina

NC,

Not sure I can agree the Campmaki that it was an easy fix but IHMO it was the correct fix especially with a brick chimney. You will be happier in the long run. Although too late for you, any of the builders trying to figure out how to taper their arch bricks, do a Google search for General Tools and they have a free program (although buried in their web site) called the Angleizer which helps you determine all the sizes on a taper arch brick, joint size, etc.

Russell....I agree that it wasn't an easy fix, but it's done and I am happy I did it. I didn't have any intentions of trying to taper the arch bricks, just try to make them tight. I think the choice of whether or not to go through all the time and work to taper inner arch bricks is up to each individual builder. While structurally I agree it's a superior way to do it, I personally did not choose to and feel it is fine......for me. It's a bit like choosing to dry your oven with or without insulation on the dome. All decisions to be made individually, right? I imagine lots of builders will find your Angle Gizmo useful if they choose to go that route. Thanks for passing along the info. It is appreciated.

[NCMan]

Re: Starting my WFO in N. Carolina

Here are a couple more progress pics. I just keep working on it bit by bit as I get time.

[checker1965]

Re: Starting my WFO in N. Carolina

It's coming along nicely NCMan! I see others builders covering the dome, like you have in the picture. Is that home brew mortar or something else? How thick?
Great Job!
Ray

[NCMan]

Re: Starting my WFO in N. Carolina

It's coming along nicely NCMan! I see others builders covering the dome, like you have in the picture. Is that home brew mortar or something else? How thick?
Great Job!
Ray

It's home brew mortar. As I set each brick, after tapping the back of it down, I take the excess and smooth it out on the dome, all the while holding on to the brick I just set with my other hand. I find that the more mortar spread over the brick, the better it seems to hold and set. That's just my way of doing it. I would guess everyone has their own way. That's mine. There is usually around a quarter to three eighths of an inch or so on there when I'm done. Just enough to smooth it out, cover the bricks and maintain the rounded shape. Thanks for the compliments.

[stonecutter]

Re: Starting my WFO in N. Carolina

I parge as I go too....

[NCMan]

Re: Starting my WFO in N. Carolina

I parge as I go too....

I noticed that. Guess who I learned it from?

[NCMan]

Re: Starting my WFO in N. Carolina

Just a few more progress pics. I have completed course number nine. Weather and time permitting, I plan to work on it some more this weekend.

[NCMan]

Re: Starting my WFO in N. Carolina

I managed to squeeze in some time Friday afternoon to do some more dome building. Here's the latest photos. I'm getting close!!

[Greenman]

Re: Starting my WFO in N. Carolina

Looks good. Not far to the plug. I look forward to watching as you put the finishing touches to an impressive dome.

[NCMan]

Re: Starting my WFO in N. Carolina

Looks good. Not far to the plug. I look forward to watching as you put the finishing touches to an impressive dome.

Thanks, Steve. I hope to get the dome done this week, if the weather cooperates. I know it'll make me happy to reach that milestone in the build, so I can move on to the rest of it.

[mirassou]

Re: Starting my WFO in N. Carolina

Hey Carl, I've been away from this for a few months. I'm going through it page by page and your build looks great!

[mirassou]

Re: Starting my WFO in N. Carolina

Have to relish those last few bricks in the dome, as it'll be done, though I see that you have the remainder of the entryway to finish.