Pompeii oven in Switzerland: pics

[james]

Re: Pompeii oven in Switzerland: pics

Spoken like a true Yank.
James

[Hendo]

Re: Cracks in your mortar joints

Frances,

Since the first ring, I have also been experiencing some shrinkage cracks using a pre-mixed air-set mortar, but it's very inconsistent. I'm almost certain that some cracking has occurred where I've over-wet the bricks, so perhaps the mortar is too sloppy and hence shrinks more? I had my brickie help out on part of one course (to show me how I should be doing it), and he advised against wetting the bricks at all, or perhaps just a light spray with a spray bottle. His technique was different from mine, and started out with a normally buttered brick of about ½" thick, then he pounded hell out of it with a rubber mallet to get it down to the required height. But there was still the odd hairline crack!

I'm currently dipping each brick into a pail of water briefly, and lightly spraying the brick bed, thinly buttering the brick and laying it. This seems to produce the best results in terms of plasticity of mortar to bed it in easily, and minimal cracking.

Despite all the cracks though, it feels as solid as a rock!

Cheers, Paul.

[asudavew]

Re: Pompeii oven in Switzerland: pics

I was soaking my bricks tonite.

Sometimes it seemed hard to get the mortar to stick.

Maybe I will try your method tomorrow.

[Hendo]

Re: Pompeii oven in Switzerland: pics

I think the issue of wetting bricks is heavily dependent upon the type of mortar being used. I hope to find the best way (for my mortar) before I reach the top course! P.

[Frances]

Re: Pompeii oven in Switzerland: pics

OK, so this is how I put in the door. I'll put in several pics, seeing as there anren't that many of openings with angle irons yet...

[Frances]

Re: Pompeii oven in Switzerland: pics

6th course. Its astounding that they stay up there, looks like they shouldn't, but somehow they do. Now I'm singing "every brick I take, every move I make, I am watching you..." As long as I don't get to "London bridge is falling down" I'll be ok.

[asudavew]

Re: Pompeii oven in Switzerland: pics

Looks great Frances!

It's nice to have another non-taperer to build with!

Wait until the next row you will be singing, "Please don't fall, don't faaaaaall, I'm begging you to stay."

Keep up the good work.

[Frances]

Re: Pompeii oven in Switzerland: pics

Thanks Dave! Yours aren't tapered either? Cool, I thought I was the only one...

[Frances]

Re: Pompeii oven in Switzerland: pics

7th course. It's not perfect, but it is so SO COOL to be building this!

[asudavew]

Re: Pompeii oven in Switzerland: pics

7th course. It's not perfect, but it is so SO COOL to be building this!

Yours is much more perfect than mine. Somewhere along the way I lost my roundness!

But it's good for me.


woohoo!!!

It looks great! I thought I would like the look of an arched entry way more, but you may have changed my mind. I really like the look of your entry.

It sure is exciting when you get closer to closing the dome. I'm getting close, and I can't wait to get back to work on mine this weekend.

Do you have any ideas how you are going to finish the dome upon completion?

[Frances]

Re: Pompeii oven in Switzerland: pics

Thank you Dave, its always nice to have your feedback. Hooray for non-perfect ovens! Actually I think its really cool how every builder's oven is different, makes it very personal somehow (show me your oven and I'll tell you who you are...).

I would have liked an arched entry on mine, but decided it would be too difficult - there'll be a non-supporting one on the outside instead.

Hahaaaa, and the dome finish... Igloo. With mosaics, that's my thing. This whole oven thing is really just a base for a mosaic (rather an elaborate base, I'll admit). Think twirly bits, colours, a twisty witchy chimney, dragons, gargoyles - there was a link to a page with dragon chimneys in one thread. Man I'd like one of those!!

Only I'm thinking that with not being sure if my dome will last because the mortar I'm using, it might be better to build an enclosure so I can get at the dome later on. :-(

How about your oven finishing plans then?

[asudavew]

Re: Pompeii oven in Switzerland: pics

Igloo for me too. And some stucco. I'm gonna paint the dome and stand to match, and use red clay tiles that I will cut into triangles for borders on the stand, around the oven entry, and around the wood entry on the stand.

Then again... I'm thinking about building an enclosure out of weathered wood fencing and making it look like an old shack. Complete with a sign hanging from a chain. Where one side has fallen down.....windows... doors.. etc..All crooked and funny looking.. where the porch is my oven entry.

I just cant decide...

Just ramble thoughts... and more....decisions....

BTW- I loved the dragon too.
It was cool, I think Sarah may have posted it.

And I can't wait to see your mosaic.

And you are right about personality in the oven build.
I'm kind of lazy and laid back. If it works it works...
Know what I mean?

[Frances]

Re: Pompeii oven in Switzerland: pics

8th course. I thought of a new song to sing: "slipslip sliding awayaahay". But they don't, they just stick there. Fascinating.

I've been shaping every second of third brick slightly to get a better fit and will probably go to thirds on the next row. On one picture you can also see my work supervisor. He's really into protective clothing and would like to see me wearing the goggles and filter 24/7...

My newest worry is that temperatures will fall below freezing before I've been able to dry out the dome a bit. I'm thinking that my non-cement based mortar will not react kindly to low temperatures if its still this wet. Worst case scenario would be a complete rebuild in spring...

But on the plus side, it answers the cure-before-insulating-or-after question for me

[Frances]

Re: Pompeii oven in Switzerland: pics

BTW the shack idea sounds interesting Dave. That would certainly make your oven one of a kind.

[asudavew]

Re: Pompeii oven in Switzerland: pics

Here is what I sort of have in mind...