Dave's Pics of Progress

[asudavew]

Re: Dave's Pics of Progress

Now......... playing with my new bricks.


I put a screw in a 2x4 and made sure the screw was right in the middle of my hearth.

I tied a string to the screw and then made a loop on the other end, right at 21 inches.

I put a pencil in the loop and used it to draw a big 42" circle. Seemed to work pretty well.

[asudavew]

Re: Dave's Pics of Progress

I picked up some bricks yesterday.

I got enough to layout the sides of the oven so that I can begin on my insulating layer. I want the layer to match the oven, and not cover the whole concrete layer.

So here are some pics..


These were taken at night, so they are not the best.


The first I tried to show my overhang of my concrete top after the forms were removed. I was pretty pleased with the results.

[asudavew]

Re: Dave's Pics of Progress

Thanks Ken.

It really wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.

We just set up in an assembly line fashion.

As for the pics. I tried to get some good documentation for people who will build their oven after me.

Hopefully I can help someone else out, the way this forum has helped me.

[Ken524]

Re: Dave's Pics of Progress

Great work Dave! Mixing 25 batches of sand, gravel and cement by hand? I am in awe! I wimped out and ordered a truck.

The stand looks super. Taking the forms off is more fun than opening a Christmas present.

Thanks for the detailed pictures. It's nice to see posts from someone who knows how to float concrete. I could have used your details about a month ago .

[oventhusiast]

Re: Dave's Pics of Progress

Ya Gotta Have Fun!!!!
Great job!
Rick

[asudavew]

Re: Dave's Pics of Progress

Now a few fun pics for the day.

All that hard work, we were excited. So I took some goofy pics. Thanks to Deborah(my wife) for snapping the shots!
,

BTW The concrete looks wet, but it's not. I just hosed it down to help it cure longer!!

Thanks for looking.

[asudavew]

Re: Dave's Pics of Progress

Now the last trowel. Don't use this until the concrete is really starting to harden up.

It allows you to smooth out previous marks left by the float trowel.

This is also the time you want to start using the edge trowel again.

I usually make three passes over the whole surface. But not at one time.

I make a pass, when it is still just a bit wet. Then one when it is a bit dryer, and then a final one when it is starting to get very hard.

Hold it at a low angle the first pass, a higher angle the next pass, and about a 45 degree angle the last pass. The only way to feel comfortable using this, and to get a feel for it, is through experience.

I also run the corner trowel each run, but before the finish trowel, because the corner trowel will leave marks that the finish trowel can take out.


Feel free to email me for more clarity, if needed.

[asudavew]

Re: Dave's Pics of Progress

The next thing I use, just after the float, is the corner trowel.

Now, you don't have to use it here, or use it at all, but if you are going to use it, the trowel will help to move rocks out of the way that are hanging on the corners.


Just run it around the edge, but make sure to hold the edge you are moving toward the concrete up a bit. That will keep you from digging in. Once you try it you will know what I mean by digging in.


It has a flat surface with one curved edge to put a nice curve on your concrete corners.

[asudavew]

Re: Dave's Pics of Progress

OK. Let me show you my trowels. Now I've had these for a number of years... I've poured concrete for a living. So........ anyways let me show you them.


This first one is a float.

It is thicker and very smooth.

It should be used after the pour is made and the concrete has been leveled with a screed board.

Just run it across the concrete at about a 33 degree angle. It helps to bring up the "gravy". My pet name, but it brings up the cement and sand mix. Helps to create a smoother finish.

The surface doesn't have to be perfect when you are done with this one.

[asudavew]

Re: Dave's Pics of Progress

Dave, I am reading this entire thread and I have to say, you and your family are doing such a great job together. Seeing wife and daughter helping out will be that much more rewarding when it is all done. I also hope James and others agree to this idea I have (another one).
I know we aquire new titles as we increase our involvement in this forum, but I believe we should change it to be title increases by where we are in the build process. This makes sense because we have people in this forum that have worked incredibly hard from start toward completion, learning the material, the process, and interacting with the members on the forum for best ideas. Sure it could demote some of us, but why not. I have yet to start, due to a massive project which is a 61' wide retaining wall to allow for my oven courtyard. I look at some of the members that have worked so hard, and so diligent with postings, that these should be the master builders of the forum, or whatever title James feels is appropriate. Having progress photos would create the title as progress continues.
Again, Dave and family- Excellant team work.

My Two Cents.

Acoma.

Thanks! I really appreciate it.
We are a pretty close family.
And I must say, when I first joined this forum I thought people got titles from their progress. So I have to agree with you.

woohoo A few more pics to clear up a few things for people who might not have poured concrete!

[Acoma]

Re: Dave's Pics of Progress

Sorry, want to add more cents:
Maybe title can be added by Breads, sauces, other key factors that help to establish the title. I am sure I will be bashed for this one.

[Acoma]

Re: Dave's Pics of Progress

Dave, I am reading this entire thread and I have to say, you and your family are doing such a great job together. Seeing wife and daughter helping out will be that much more rewarding when it is all done. I also hope James and others agree to this idea I have (another one).
I know we aquire new titles as we increase our involvement in this forum, but I believe we should change it to be title increases by where we are in the build process. This makes sense because we have people in this forum that have worked incredibly hard from start toward completion, learning the material, the process, and interacting with the members on the forum for best ideas. Sure it could demote some of us, but why not. I have yet to start, due to a massive project which is a 61' wide retaining wall to allow for my oven courtyard. I look at some of the members that have worked so hard, and so diligent with postings, that these should be the master builders of the forum, or whatever title James feels is appropriate. Having progress photos would create the title as progress continues.
Again, Dave and family- Excellant team work.

My Two Cents.

Acoma.

[asudavew]

Re: Dave's Pics of Progress

Oh I almost forgot.

The pour ended at about 11:50a.m.

So it took us about 2 hours exactly.

We made a pencil mark on the form for every batch we mixed. I took a pic and posted it because my daughter was in charge of keeping track. The marks are visible in this pic.


It ended up taking 25 batches.


I also posted a pic of the can we used to keep water in. I just measured it out of the can for each batch, rather than worrying about the water hose the whole time. We would just fill it when we emptied it. Which was about 3 or 4 times.
Having it near by really helped with the speed of operations.

[asudavew]

Re: Dave's Pics of Progress

The finished pour. I tapped the forms with a hammer to help the edges and to help remove bubbles. Then I did a quick float with my float trowel.

I also ran the edger trowel around the sides to get rid of any rocks that could of gotten in my way later during the finish trowel.

As it dried after the pour I used my finish trowel for a nice smooth finish.
I continued to use my edge trowel for a nice round edge on all sides of the slab.

I'll take more pics when it cures and I start to remove the forms.. Seven days to wait I guess.

After it hardens today, I will spray with water and cover with a tarp to slow curing for optimal strength. Actually, I will probably spray it once a day and keep it covered during the week.


Thanks for looking.

[asudavew]

Re: Dave's Pics of Progress

The bucket was cheap and lightweight, but it sure was heavy when full. So to pour different sections of the slab, I would lay the screed board in the direction I needed to go and slide the bucket on top of it to the desired location.