New 32" build in Saskatchewan, Canada

[thebigt]

Re: New 32" build in Saskatchewan, Canada

Ive been using the bolster to score the bricks. Seems to work well enough. Ive only been using the grinder with a masonry grinding blade and havent tried out the cutting blade yet as i havent needed it to this point.

Overall im pretty happy with it , it just doesnt look as nice as some of those guys who use nice saws. I actaully really like the look of the cut side of the brick on the outside, seems rustic to me. I might even bolster that red brick I have and put the cut side out to face the dome after I insulate, rather than a small enclosure.

[Gulf]

Re: New 32" build in Saskatchewan, Canada

T,
To back Dave up: It will be just fine. The pompeii, is a very forgiving structure. Look up some of the "old world" oven pics from hundreds of years ago.

Did you try scoring the bricks with the brick set (bolster) or the diamond blade before cutting them with the brick set? Either way you do it, scoring creates a fault line for the bricks to be broken (or cut) .

[thebigt]

Re: New 32" build in Saskatchewan, Canada

G'day
Don't be to hard on yourself. Building with just an angle grinder is not easy, or perfect. But be assured you'll end up with dome which is one of the strongest building structures on the planet.
Regards dave

Thanks Dave.

[cobblerdave]

Re: New 32" build in Saskatchewan, Canada

G'day
Don't be to hard on yourself. Building with just an angle grinder is not easy, or perfect. But be assured you'll end up with dome which is one of the strongest building structures on the planet.
Regards dave

[thebigt]

Re: New 32" build in Saskatchewan, Canada

So I got a bit of work done on the weekend, though looking at some pictures it appears that my work is a bit sloppy, with edges not meeting up correctly. I'm wondering if I should be tearing out bricks or is it more just aesthetics? If it'll functionally work I'm ok with that but if it won't Im willing to tear out bricks.

How long should I keep my arch form in place? I seem to recall reading 3 days. It's been super humid around here, I'm guessing humidity around 90-100% for several days.

[Steellearning]

Re: New 32" build in Saskatchewan, Canada

For making some of the cuts that need to be smooth I bought2 diamond blades for my grinder. One is segmented and the other is continuous. Both are good for wet or dry applications and were the same price. Will one work better than the other?

I have both and can't see any difference, but you need to wet your bricks
to reduce glass build up on the blade. It also helps to cut in to cinder block or concrete to remove build up on the blade.

[thebigt]

Re: New 32" build in Saskatchewan, Canada

For making some of the cuts that need to be smooth I bought2 diamond blades for my grinder. One is segmented and the other is continuous. Both are good for wet or dry applications and were the same price. Will one work better than the other?

[thebigt]

Re: New 32" build in Saskatchewan, Canada

Finally got some time to work on the oven on the weekend. I got my next course started and then attempted cutting the arch bricks. I had to make a second IT that was just a rod without the wood pieces as I found it easier to mark the brick. However this didn't go well. I marked the location of the bottom of the brick as also the top of the brick and then marked a line down to make the two meet on the sides of the brick. I used my grinder to shape the brick but it didn't turn out. I'm going to attempt this again Th is week and use the IT to get the slop correctly drawn. If that fails I might just have to go with split bricks and just do it the old way.

[Gulf]

Re: New 32" build in Saskatchewan, Canada

T,
It will help if you try to set one brick for the next row as you finish for the day, lunch, or any extended breaks. ([B]This tip is thanks to Tu in N'awlins[/B]). That brick should be placed in the very back, dead center. From it, set your brick alternating from left to right until you meet your interior arch. If you alternate, the brick before, will be firmly set before placement of the next brick that you lay.

Also, (just a little tip from me), for cutting your brick with the "brick set": Try placing the brick to be cut on a firm surface. I usually just use a scaffold board near where it crosses a sawhorse or scaffold buck. (For some of the trickier face brick), you might want to place a thin bed of sand underneath) Mark the cut that you want, lightly, all the way around the brick, using the hammer and the set to make a slight impression all the way around the four sides of the brick. Then knock the hll out of it on one of the longest sides . With a little practice, you will be cutting brick with some precision .

[thebigt]

Re: New 32" build in Saskatchewan, Canada

Thanks for the tip I didn't even notice, I will need o be more careful going forward. I was pretty sure that I had them lined up so not sure what happened other than perhaps I didn't let them set enough before putting in the next brick.

My kids have returned from their trip with my parents so now I have to work around my job, and the kids sleep schedule. Hoping to get it done soon though so I can start curing. Arch will be next.

[Tscarborough]

Re: New 32" build in Saskatchewan, Canada

Looking good. I noticed some of your upper corners not meeting. If you make that point correct, and the diagonal lower one, the brick will be in the correct position every time. It is not problem as is, just a tip moving ahead.

[Greenman]

Re: New 32" build in Saskatchewan, Canada

The second set of eyes is handy. I am helping a friend with his build at the moment and had the thought that a mirror on a stick might be a good thing to have once the angle starts to increase.

It seems to take no time for the bond creep to get away.

Your oven is looking good.

[thebigt]

Re: New 32" build in Saskatchewan, Canada

I lost a few hours today moving the arch supports but it will prove to be worth it later on in my build. I got two more courses done today with the exception of the end pieces which are waiting for me to build the arch. We had some really hot weather this afternoon and decided to leave it there and regroup when I have some time in the next few days to hopefully get the arch done.

On the last 2 courses I started having to really watch my seams. I didn't notice one side until it was too late but having a second set of eyes helped so I have been trimming some bricks to a smaller size to stop this from occurring.

[thebigt]

Re: New 32" build in Saskatchewan, Canada

Meh is happens... I'm glad that you pointed it out to me I'd rather know there's an issue before its too late. Plus look on the bright side you saved me lots of grief and gained me 2 inches of space in my oven.

[UtahBeehiver]

Re: New 32" build in Saskatchewan, Canada

Sorry that I was the bearer of bad news but with building the arch form you were able to see what the potential issues were. Better now than later to make adjustments. Believe me, I had several redos during my build.