Begining dome construction

[rlf5]

Re: Begining dome construction

Rl,

What advantage is there to having more clearance on the sides? I was going the simi circle route as well. I have yet to mortar my first coarse, so if a case could be made, I can adapt as well.

Thanks,

Les...

The only advantage I see is not being limited to the center area for tall cooking pots/vessels.

[Les]

Re: Begining dome construction

Rl,

What advantage is there to having more clearance on the sides? I was going the simi circle route as well. I have yet to mortar my first coarse, so if a case could be made, I can adapt as well.

Thanks,

Les...

[rlf5]

Re: Begining dome construction

It was actually a change of plans more than anything. I originally was going to build a perfect semi-circle, which would have required all tapered half bricks on every course. But I changed it up to a soldier course after I had already laid the floor of wall, so that I would have a higher clearance on the sides of my oven. The remainder of the courses will be tapered on all four sides.

[asudavew]

Re: Begining dome construction

Looking good.

Why did you use a full brick after the half brick that surrounds the floor?

I'm not sure if I have seen that. But I might try it.

[rlf5]

Re: Begining dome construction

A few pics of my non-completed soldier course. Its a bit messy, but I can clean that up later.

[rlf5]

Re: Begining dome construction

Yes it is! Seems like its all downhill now!

[Hendo]

Re: Begining dome construction

Looking good! It's a great feeling to know that you're on your way, isn't it?

Cheers, Paul.

[rlf5]

Re: Begining dome construction

Finished the rest of the floor bricks. I hope to get the soldier course done tomorrow.

[rlf5]

Re: Begining dome construction

Started mortaring the floor/wall bricks in today. You can see my technique improved with the later ones...much less mess. I was originally going to use all tapered bricks for a perfect semicircular dome, but I think I'm going to make a solider course on top of the floor, and then go back to the tapered bricks for the rest of the dome. That way I'll have more height clearance on the inner perimeter of the dome.

[RTflorida]

Re: Begining dome construction

I used 1 each of 80 grit and 120 grit. Bought them at Lowes. Not sure what I paid. The inside of the belts say GatorGrit brand, made in the USA

RT

[wlively]

Re: Begining dome construction

I used 60 grit and if my memory serves, only took 2 belts.

[Les]

Re: Begining dome construction

What grit on the belt worked best? I'm assuming they were trashed pretty quick, so did you use the least expensive ones?

Les...

[wlively]

Re: Begining dome construction

I second the belt sander approach. It does give the floor a very smooth feel and appearance.

[RTflorida]

Re: Begining dome construction

I chose the belt sander approach, worked great.
I actually did the entire hearth floor because the firebricks I used were 'wire cut'; having the texture of 60 grit sandpaper on all sides as well as being dimensionally challenged. The belt sander gave them all a finish as smooth as a baby's bottom.
By all means where a good mask if you choose the belt sander approach, it does create quite a cloud of dust.

RT

[maver]

Re: Begining dome construction

I used a spare firebrick as a 'plane' to grind down the few minor elevations - it worked very well and avoided risking heavy equipment on my carefully laid brick. It also was more selective on the bricks that were ground down so that I could avoid ruining the factory finish surface on the bricks that were ok.

Marc