Pompeii oven in Switzerland: pics

[Frances]

Re: Pompeii oven in Switzerland: pics

Yeah, we have watts I'll get a light rigged up tomorrow, so's to be ready if it gets a bit colder.

Today I did the 9th and 10th courses...! For the 9th I I went to thirds and shaped the bricks slightly, so the joints got really skinny again... well some of them were, in some places anyway.

However, for the 10th course I realised that this is not actually the most needed shape, so I tried to bevile them instead (um, cut into a trapeze shape, was that the right expresion?). I'm telling you, you start on this, you end up cutting every single brick: Just a little bit off this corner, and oh, yes a tad off there and streighten this out.... I'm glad I didn't start earlier.

And then I ran out of mortar...

Once I've got some more, I'm thinking of trying to finish the dome without support from below. Should work if I've got this far, yeah?

[dmun]

Re: Pompeii oven in Switzerland: pics

would an electric bulb give off enough heat? Probably not, right?

Absolutely. Even a fairly dim 40 watt incandescent bulb (are there watts in metric land?) will give off plenty of heat to keep your oven above freezing if it's covered with a tarp. Remember, you don't have to keep it hot, just above freezing.

[Frances]

Re: Pompeii oven in Switzerland: pics

yes, that is a good idea! I've got it covered in tarps of course, and the weather has turned slightly warmer again, but that can change at any time....

Uh, lamp? Were you thinking oil lamp, or would an electric bulb give off enough heat? Probably not, right?

[asudavew]

Re: Pompeii oven in Switzerland: pics

Fances, If you are worried about freezing temps before you cure, you could put a small lamp in the oven and a tarp over the whole thing. That should keep you above freezing at least...

Drake

Good idea!

[DrakeRemoray]

Re: Pompeii oven in Switzerland: pics

Fances, If you are worried about freezing temps before you cure, you could put a small lamp in the oven and a tarp over the whole thing. That should keep you above freezing at least...

Drake

[DrakeRemoray]

Re: Pompeii oven in Switzerland: pics

Just want to chime in and say that your dome is looking great!!

Drake

[asudavew]

Re: Pompeii oven in Switzerland: pics

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

[Frances]

Re: Pompeii oven in Switzerland: pics

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

[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

[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

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

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

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

[Frances]

Re: Pompeii oven in Switzerland: pics

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

[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.