Begining dome construction

[asudavew]

Re: Begining dome construction

Nobody sees the outside of the dome, and the pizza chef has to crane over to see the inside of the dome. Plus, when it's between firings, it's black.

Function over form? :-)
James

I'm gonna have to agree. I'm not doing the best job of laying bricks...

I think it looks good! Keep it up and keep posting pics.

[waynebergman]

Re: Begining dome construction

Hi rlf5....looking nice so far. Are you planning to locate the footprint a little closer to the front? Looks like it might be set back a bit far....I realize you are just dry fitting but wanted to make sure you have thought this part through so you have a comfortable reach for firemaking etc....wayne

[dusty]

Re: Begining dome construction

RL,

I noticed you have the saw pump in the tray. This was a source of great pain. The pump kept failing because of the "mud". I hung a 5 gallon bucket off the back of the saw and dropped the pump into that. Haven?t had a problem ever since. Just a suggestion.

Les?

Very clever Les! I have had the same problem with my pump clogging up. So the bucket drains and the tray overflows, no big deal. The only downside is the pump not failing. I was going to use the failed pump to get a new saw when my project's completed by virtue of my "no questions asked" warranty.
Dusty

[rlf5]

Re: Begining dome construction

Hi rlf5....looking nice so far. Are you planning to locate the footprint a little closer to the front? Looks like it might be set back a bit far....I realize you are just dry fitting but wanted to make sure you have thought this part through so you have a comfortable reach for firemaking etc....wayne

Wayne

Not sure what you mean by the bricks being dry fitted, as everything is pretty much mortared in place right now. As far as the length from the front to the rear of the oven hearth, its really a lot shorter than the pictures let on (mostly due to camera perspective). Thanks though!

[rlf5]

Re: Begining dome construction

Well I was able to get a little work in today on the oven. Been pretty busy with work and the shorter daylight hours don't help much either. Anyway, here's a couple pics of the almost completed second course, and the begining of the entry arch.

[Acoma]

Re: Begining dome construction

RLF, what Les is saying is to cut your bricks for the row without mortar, making sure that you have correct fit all around. From the photo on second course, it appears you have many interior gaps at the face. PATIENCE! Doing a dry run will allow you to work carefully and to be sure your consistantly cutting with same gaps for mortar. As mentioned by some members here, inconsistant gaps with mortar could allow for inconsistant expansions during heating, which allows for increased risk in cracks. Minimal gaps, mortar for the courses is best, but is needed. Since you are not using forms, take your time.

[rlf5]

Re: Begining dome construction

RLF, what Les is saying is to cut your bricks for the row without mortar, making sure that you have correct fit all around. From the photo on second course, it appears you have many interior gaps at the face. PATIENCE! Doing a dry run will allow you to work carefully and to be sure your consistantly cutting with same gaps for mortar. As mentioned by some members here, inconsistant gaps with mortar could allow for inconsistant expansions during heating, which allows for increased risk in cracks. Minimal gaps, mortar for the courses is best, but is needed. Since you are not using forms, take your time.

Acoma:

You're correct in there being gaps, but they are not staying there. I find it easier to get the correct amount on bottom and to bond the sides with enough mortar to get the correct spacing. I then go back and fill the rest of the gap using mortar in an icing bag. It was too dark when I finished that for a picture though.

[asudavew]

Re: Begining dome construction

I think everything is just fine. The oven is looking great!

I'm not sure mortar joints are that big of a deal.
(argument for my own defense)

But look at Jame's Artigiano picture.
It has mortar joints, and it was handcrafted in Tuscany, Italy.
But I bet it works awesome.

Here's a picture of the inside of the dome.

[Les]

Re: Begining dome construction

Uh... I made no mention about gaps. I'm trying to eliminate them solely for the reason that I don't want to be crawling inside to clean. Nothing worse than a claustrophobic that's out of pills.

Les...

[asudavew]

Re: Begining dome construction

Uh... I made no mention about gaps. I'm trying to eliminate them solely for the reason that I don't want to be crawling inside to clean. Nothing worse than a claustrophobic that's out of pills.

Les...

No you didn't, I was trying to figure that one out too.

Pass me one of those pills Les, I was trying to do some cleanup in my dome last night.

I don't think there is Oxygen on the inside.....I understand your reasoning completely now.

[DrakeRemoray]

Re: Begining dome construction

Hey rlf, looking good! You will be baking in no time!

You are cutting much more than I did, I think most builders now are tapering all the bricks. I did not do that until way up in the dome.

Keep up the good work!
Drake

[Acoma]

Re: Begining dome construction

Well, it looks like I am stirring the eyeballs. I was wrong in the assumption of Les's idea. I will leave that to Les to clarify. As for mortar, I believe that we have had many discussions about consistant gaps with the bricks and mortar. Whether minimal or maximum, be consistant. Now if we have forgotten this detail, then fine. I will not discuss it further. I believe we all can be successful in our ovens, not just a few. Advice, guidence, and support mean a great deal to so many, whether veterans or novice. I realize mine has yet to be built, but I also will be doing it myself. I have spent countless hours prepping the site, enough hours that if I did not have to prep, the oven would be done.

[rlf5]

Re: Begining dome construction

I'm in agreement with you. I appreciate all the advice given on this site. If it wasn't for people pointing certain things out to me as I went along, my oven would be a time bomb waiting to go off.

[rlf5]

Re: Begining dome construction

Went ahead and got the arch out of the way. Now I can get back to the walls.

[gjbingham]

Re: Begining dome construction

I like your work. Great job., in fact! I wouldn't stress about differences in mortar gaps too much. I recommend you review the pics of pompeii oven originals shot on-site by James. They didn't build those things with CAD programs 2000 years ago. They used all different sizes of bricks and mortar joints were really inconsistant. Hang in there. Pay attention to making sure the mortar lines don't line up from one row to the next. I think you'll be in good shape.