Out of work Pizza Man's 42" Build in NJ

[GianniFocaccia]

Re: Out of work Pizza Man's 42" Build in NJ

Gonna offer the same as I got from a guy I was paired with after a (usual) succession of inaccurate tee shots I made on a course I played for the first time:

1. Did not attach board to hearth slab

- You'll be fine. (No need to do this)

2. I did not use the sand/fireclay paste underneath the hearth floor

- You'll be fine. As long as you're level you're good to go. Any moisture collected will dry during curing.

3. After I cut them I realized that I made a mistake and they were actually at 25 degrees

- You'll be fine. As your build progresses you will undoubtedly reduce the number and severity of items you feel the need to do over. Since it's your name is on the finished oven, its your call how pedantic you want to get with it. I went off the charts with mine.

Remember, this is your build and all ovens are unique. The slight imperfections are what gives each of our ovens character.

John

[spiderrinaldi]

Re: Out of work Pizza Man's 42" Build in NJ

Do you mean the top edge of the wood being at the center point of the vertical soldier? It doesn't matter with the soldier course since they are vertical and simply a set distance from the center point of the oven. When you start the next angled course though, the center of the brick should be in line with the pivot point on the IT. The way your IT is set up currently this line is actually the bottom edge of the wood.

You could make your current IT work with a little modification. Simply cut your wood down to half the thickness of your brick. The top edge of the wood piece would then be inline with the top edge of your brick and the bottom edge in line with the brick center point. You could even extend a piece of metal outward on the top face of this wood piece to give you a L shaped bracket.

OK, I understand what you mean. Yes, I see now where this could be a problem moving forward.

Just picked up another 100 Firebrick. Going to hopefully get a lot of work done today through this weekend. Hope the weather in NJ stays as nice as it's been.

[Tonyp]

Re: Out of work Pizza Man's 42" Build in NJ

I don't think you can see it well in the pics but the IT does touch the bricks in the center of the bricks, like in pic #3. With that said, I do agree that my IT is less than optimal. I will have to scavenge a few parts around and make a better one.

Do you mean the top edge of the wood being at the center point of the vertical soldier? It doesn't matter with the soldier course since they are vertical and simply a set distance from the center point of the oven. When you start the next angled course though, the center of the brick should be in line with the pivot point on the IT. The way your IT is set up currently this line is actually the bottom edge of the wood.

You could make your current IT work with a little modification. Simply cut your wood down to half the thickness of your brick. The top edge of the wood piece would then be inline with the top edge of your brick and the bottom edge in line with the brick center point. You could even extend a piece of metal outward on the top face of this wood piece to give you a L shaped bracket.

[spiderrinaldi]

Re: Out of work Pizza Man's 42" Build in NJ

The axis of your IT should hit right at the middle of the brick in each course. Your IT design hits at the top of the brick. That will result in each course being slightly steeper than it should be, will eventually affect your dome.

I don't think you can see it well in the pics but the IT does touch the bricks in the center of the bricks, like in pic #3. With that said, I do agree that my IT is less than optimal. I will have to scavenge a few parts around and make a better one.

[deejayoh]

Re: Out of work Pizza Man's 42" Build in NJ

Five degrees may or may not matter in your build, depending on how tight you want the joints. Being off five degrees at the start could carry through your whole dome.

I see that you are using an IT which will help to control that - but I am not sure about your IT design. The axis of your IT should hit right at the middle of the brick in each course. Your IT design hits at the top of the brick. That will result in each course being slightly steeper than it should be, will eventually affect your dome.

See this thread for a better explanation

http://www.fornobravo.com/forum/f8/trouble-setback-brick-courses-need-advice-17817.html

[spiderrinaldi]

Re: Out of work Pizza Man's 42" Build in NJ

I have made some progress. I have the INSBlok-19 board down and the floor laid out. I even started the first soldier course. So far I had to make a few decisions, which I hope I do not regret later:

1. Did not attach board to hearth slab.
- I figure, there is no way it's moving

2. I did not use the sand/fireclay paste underneath the hearth floor
- The floor is relatively level. I also like the ability to pull out the floor bricks if they ever break or need to be replaced for any reason. I'm also reluctant to put that paste on top of the insulation board. Seems like it will soak up that water from the sand/fireclay slurry. Best to keep it dry if at all possible, IMO.

3. Went with a tall standing soldier course (actually the true meaning of the term "soldier" in bricklaying). I am basing my design off of Pizza Bob's build. TRIED to Cut the tops off at a 20 Deg angle. After I cut them I realized that I made a mistake and they were actually at 25 degrees. I had a brain fart while using the HF Saw's angle cutter attachment. It's too late now, and it doesn't seem like anything to worry about. I would barely see a difference if I went back and recut them all.

Anyway, here are my progress pics.

[spiderrinaldi]

Re: Out of work Pizza Man's 42" Build in NJ

Is there any reason to secure the Insblok board to the Hearth Slab, or should it just sit on top, held down by the weight of the oven I am about to build?

[deejayoh]

Re: Out of work Pizza Man's 42" Build in NJ

cool. Keep it as dry as you can while you build it too. You'll have a lot easier time with the curing.

[spiderrinaldi]

Re: Out of work Pizza Man's 42" Build in NJ

Nice start! Are you planning to build the dome this fall? I'm guessing you're going to need some sort of cover on it to get it done in NJ.

I am planning on being done this fall. I will be putting a roof over it.

[GianniFocaccia]

Re: Out of work Pizza Man's 42" Build in NJ

Spider,

Looks like you're well on your way. The 8 1/4" bricks will be fine. So what if you use one more half-brick per course? No big deal. I cut my bricks slightly small anyway, in order to get a rounder look and feel to the dome.

I think you'll find the homebrew easy to work with. I went with it and tweaked each batch by adding a bit of fireclay and lime, and reducing the portland percentage a bit. Worked a treat.

I recently switched computers to a Mac and can't find my original Insboard layout, but here's a (marginal) pic. I originally used Sketchup to draw up every configuration I could think of. This one was the most efficient. The diameter of the 'insulation well' was 55".

Oh, and I started out with a HF saw before switching to an MK. You will experience longer blade life if you keep those jets unclogged.

John

[deejayoh]

Re: Out of work Pizza Man's 42" Build in NJ

Nice start! Are you planning to build the dome this fall? I'm guessing you're going to need some sort of cover on it to get it done in NJ.

[spiderrinaldi]

Re: Out of work Pizza Man's 42" Build in NJ

I have gathered the materials for the next phase of the project. I got a case of INSBLOK 19 (2" - 12" x 36"). Comes 8 per case. Trying to figure out the best way to maximize the insulation. Has anyone else figured out a configuration for using 8 pieces of INSBLOK? Would love to get 4" of insulation underneath using what I have.

I also have a couple of Fiber Blankets, which should come out to be 3" of insulation for the dome.

It was tough finding firebrick for some reason. All I could get was 8 1/4" size, low duty Whitacre Greer. Paid $1.30 each. No one carries 9" size for some reason. I started by getting 120 pieces. Not sure how many I will need so I will go back to get more once the dome starts rolling.

Going to use the homebrew mix for mortar.

Also bought the HF 10" Wet Saw.

[spiderrinaldi]

Re: Out of work Pizza Man's 42" Build in NJ

Next comes the setup of form for the hearth slab and pouring of the slab. I went with Hardiebacker instead of plywood. Seems like it will provide a little more permanent support and is easy to use. In the pics you will see the finished slab which of course is reinforced with rebar.

[spiderrinaldi]

Re: Out of work Pizza Man's 42" Build in NJ

Pics from before of slab and block walls.

[Tscarborough]

Re: Out of work Pizza Man's 42" Build in NJ

No problem with a barrel, just don't use the Alan Scott design.