Begining dome construction

[rlf5]

Re: Begining dome construction

Finished the third course today. I hope to finish cutting the bricks for the fourth course, but football is getting in the way. No dome gauge, so some of the bricks are slightly off, but I'm correcting for that on the next course. Start of the fourth course below as well.

[wlively]

Re: Begining dome construction

The bucket method is a good solution and idea. Unfortunately it was posted after I finished.

I took pains to make sure and orient the pump in the best place to get clean water, but it would clog at least twice a use. I then bought a new pump at home depot, a bit bigger and then I had no more problems. After every use I back flushed the pump, unplugged and ran water into the outlet until the water that came out the inlet came out clean. Never had a clog since.

[Acoma]

Re: Begining dome construction

Les is right. Has been discussed and is a great solution. Will apply myself.

[Les]

Re: Begining dome construction

People,

The problem of your pump getting clogged has been solved months (years) ago. Hang it inside of a bucket on the outside of the saw. Then you just need to drain the tray of the junk. I only read a few posts on this thread and don't know how this issue was brought up here. If I missed it, sorry - just opened the 2nd bottle of wine

Les...

[dusty]

Re: Begining dome construction

rlf,
Looks like a great start. Nice arch too... very cool looking.

dusty

George,
I had problems with the pump clogging at first. It was brand new and I was cleaning the tray everyday. After a while, I decided to wait until it clogged again to clean it. That was weeks ago! I'm cutting red bricks, fire bricks and pool table slate in my project (great sedimentary layers going on), but I've been just letting the wet dust settle and not disturbing it. May have to do somethig soon though, 'cause the dust layer is starting to reach the top of the pump area walls.
dusty

[gjbingham]

Re: Begining dome construction

I'm using the HF saw as well. I haven't had a problem with it sucking up the sand from the bottom of the water tray either. I'm not using the suction cups to attach it to the bottom, but inserting it in the pump insert section. I changed the water yesterday after 3 days of cutting.
George

[rlf5]

Re: Begining dome construction

Cut all my bricks for the third course today. I'll cut the fourth and hopefully fifth tomorrow. Below are the pics of the beginning of the 3rd course as well as the walls of my vent. I'll be casting the remainder of the vent.

[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.

[rlf5]

Re: Begining dome construction

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

[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.

[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.

[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

[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.

[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

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.