Begining dome construction

[rlf5]

Re: Begining dome construction

Finished the fourth course, and started the fifth. The fifth is going to have to tie into the arch, so this should be interesting.

[Dutchoven]

Re: Begining dome construction

Mixing sizes of bricks is great advice...starting and finishing each course with a slightly larger or smaller brick makes good sense...same as in a conventional wall...look at some of the bonding patterns used in bricklaying and you will get some great ideas...kens oven has some good examples
Best
Dutch

[rlf5]

Re: Begining dome construction

Don't forget learning curve for building fires, and getting up to pizza temps.

It's challenging too!! Well at least it is for me....

Looking Good Rlf
Keep it up!

Well I won't be making pizzas for the party thats for sure! I never feel comfortable trying something for the first time with guests around. I'd mainly just like to be able to show the 'completed' oven off and also bake some bread.

[rlf5]

Re: Begining dome construction

Try dry runs with bricks for each row. None of us have the perfect formula. Many starting with 1/2's, going to 1/3's, then 1/4's as the dome gets built. Mixing them if necessary. This is just a suggestion. Don't get discouraged.

Thanks for the tip. I had been adjusting mortar gaps to ensure the joints didn't line up, but brick spacers makes a lot more sense...duh!

[asudavew]

Re: Begining dome construction

Thanks! I'm trying to get finished with everything before the end of the month, which is going to be a challenge. The wife wants me to be able to use the oven for our Christmas party. So I have about three weeks to try and at least get to a working dome. I surely won't have an enclosure by then. I also need to account for a week of curing.

Don't forget learning curve for building fires, and getting up to pizza temps.

It's challenging too!! Well at least it is for me....

Looking Good Rlf
Keep it up!

[Acoma]

Re: Begining dome construction

Try dry runs with bricks for each row. None of us have the perfect formula. Many starting with 1/2's, going to 1/3's, then 1/4's as the dome gets built. Mixing them if necessary. This is just a suggestion. Don't get discouraged.

[gjbingham]

Re: Begining dome construction

I tried my hardest to avoid the joints lining up as well. I made custom cuts wherever possible but the higher I got, the distances between joints gets smaller and smaller. I ended up inspecting the previous two rows then marking any spots that had joints aligned or really close. That is were I'd start my next row, making sure that I didn't make them align 3 courses in a row.
George

[rlf5]

Re: Begining dome construction

RLF, try to avoid bricks aligning. You may get unwelcome cracks.

Acoma

Thanks, I'm trying my best to avoid it. I usually only have one, or two joints at the most, that line up per course.

[rlf5]

Re: Begining dome construction

Sarah

Thanks! Well I've actually arranged it so that I can work on the oven and get play by play updates from my wife.

George

Haha! All the bottles are a bit misleading. I may have one at the most during building. The problem is I'm not too good at picking up after myself and so the empty bottles usually stay where I set them.

[rlf5]

Re: Begining dome construction

Looks great Ron!

Thanks! I'm trying to get finished with everything before the end of the month, which is going to be a challenge. The wife wants me to be able to use the oven for our Christmas party. So I have about three weeks to try and at least get to a working dome. I surely won't have an enclosure by then. I also need to account for a week of curing.

[rlf5]

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.

I never had a problem with plugging, but I went ahead and started the bucket method after it was mentioned earlier. Even if you don't care about plugging, its better b/c you have a larger supply of water for cutting bricks.

[Acoma]

Re: Begining dome construction

RLF, try to avoid bricks aligning. You may get unwelcome cracks.

[gjbingham]

Re: Begining dome construction

RLF,
The oven's looking good.
I like the way you work. Beer makes the back pain more tolerable, though a little more dangerous, especially in the later/higher rows.

Keep up the good work.
George

[sarah h]

Re: Begining dome construction

Ron, things are looking great and really starting to take shape but, hey, fire & fine food vs. football??

Good luck with your oven and keep posting pix!

Sarah

[Ken524]

Re: Begining dome construction

Looks great Ron!