Sarah's Progress Photos

[asudavew]

Re: Sarah's Progress Photos

Gorgeous!

Kudos to you and your WFO!

and remember, patience on the curing fires....



It was fun watching your progress. Thanks for posting and keeping us up to date.

Congrats Sarah,


Dave

[sarah h]

Re: Sarah's Progress Photos

More of the keystone ... I tried to put a hand print on top, but it didn't work!

[sarah h]

Re: Sarah's Progress Photos

There?s an old tune in my head, different words, goes like this ?

It was the sixth of November
A day I?ll always remember
?Cause that was the day
That my dome was
DONE!!!

Yes! We made it!!

I woke up under the weather so I didn?t think it would happen today but since there really wasn?t much left to do and by this afternoon I had recovered somewhat, in went the keystone ? well, keystones. We decided to do a modified version of what Ken did - see the result in the pixs below (likely in two posts).

It has been quite an experience and I feel like I?ve gained a whole bunch of new friends in the process ? many thanks everyone for all the support and encouragement. I don?t know if all forums are like this but I suspect not ? there must be something kind of special about ?oven people?! Without you, it could have been a very isolating and anxious experience ? well, it did have its moments, but help was always close at hand.

James, I owe a particular thanks to you for providing the plans (and free at that!), without which this never would have happened, and for creating the forum that added such a rewarding dimension to the whole process ? cheers (I am toasting with drink in hand)!

The weather is ugly ? right as we finished, it hailed ? not big stuff, but still (pleeeeease may that not be some kind of ominous sign ) ? but it doesn?t matter ? because we?re done!

Well, there are still the next phases ? making sure nothing freezes over in the next week or so, having patience (or a straightjacket ) while I wait for that first fire, attaching the chimney, patching cracks (may they not be big or many), deciding how to winterize, doing the finish work in the spring ? and best of all, cooking in the oven ? guess this is just the beginning !

I?ll be back on this thread a few more times with a few more photos ? but no more photos today ? I?m done !!!

Sarah

[biondoli]

Re: Sarah's Progress Photos

Congratulations Sarah, it looks great and the keystone is the proof of the precision and dedication of your work!! Ciao Carlo

[Kemo]

Re: Sarah's Progress Photos

Sarah,

The top of your dome looks perfect. That last keystone will probably look like something out of a book! Excellent vent too. Lots of great ovens finishing up on the board these days...

[Frances]

Re: Sarah's Progress Photos

I've been trying to read up on the pros and cons of an extra layer of mortar cladding, too. I don't mind about having less mass (I don't really think that is so much of an issue with this design, we all have a considerable amount of mass as it is), but I'm still not sure if it makes a structural difference.

I mean, so far no one has said, if you do not clad your oven it will fall down!!! I can't really see how the outer layer would support the bricks which after all are working against gravity. And the dome seems to be such a stable shape just on its own. I just dunno...

But like you, I haven't got enough mortar left to cover the oven anyway, and I couldn't use the stuff I used for the bricks even if I did, so I'm going without.

Maybe someone else will give us some more info. I'd certainly be interested...

Oh and Sarah, COOL vent and door! I want to decorate my door, too (once I get one ) so I'll be watching out for your ideas.

[Les]

Re: Sarah's Progress Photos

Sarah - your vent is the "bomb" - excellent!! In regard to the cladding, it is totally a matter of preference, I am going to add an inch of mortar (or more) on top of the 4.5 of brick. I look at the little bit of extra mass as a good thing. I'm looking forward to going out in the morning and baking, cooking something from the residual heat.

Les...

[sarah h]

Re: Sarah's Progress Photos

I'm good at excuses but I'm running out - guess I'll just have to finish up soon!

BTW, forgot to mention, it looks like we'll come in at just about a 1/4 inch up from an interior height of 20 inches when all is done.

Good to know your thoughts about the extra mortar layer Dave - my only concern is maintaining enough heat for some longer cook times but I expect that's where a good layer of insulation might make up for a 1/2 inch of mortar??

Sarah

[asudavew]

Re: Sarah's Progress Photos

Thanks everyone!

It's still not done yet though - what with work, rain and shorter daylight hours, the time just isn't there ...

Excuse after excuse..... come on girl!

I'm not sure whether it's necessary to coat the whole thing with a layer of it or if it's just one of those individual preference things

I wouldn't Sarah.. it takes enough wood to heat it up.. I would of kept it clean if I knew what I know now. Too much wood. I might of even opted for the 36" version.

I have some ideas swirling around but nothing concrete yet.

Swirlies? you copying our Frances>?

She does make nice swirlies!

Here's a pic, without the chimney section - best I could do in wind, rain & dark! I'll get some better shots tomorrow.
Sarah

Actually I like both! Clean, mean, and done! What more could you want?

[sarah h]

Re: Sarah's Progress Photos

Thanks everyone!

It's still not done yet though - what with work, rain and shorter daylight hours, the time just isn't there ...

The keystone is shaping up but needs shaving down before it's a good fit. The inside of the dome at those top rows is looking somewhat bumpy and uneven - I would have expected the ball to prevent that, but no - but also has many gaps that need mortaring, so it may look a bit better once that's done. We're getting really low on mortar so I hope we still have enough. I'm not sure whether it's necessary to coat the whole thing with a layer of it or if it's just one of those individual preference things .

The big news for the day is ... Tom delivered the vent and door today!
They fit really well and are really sturdy (14-gauge metal) and the refractory chimney pipe fits nicely onto the vent. It's a bit wobbly perched up there so I'll need to figure out how to address that and then attach them together.

The door, while a nice bonus, is a bit more utilitarian than I'd like, so I'm pondering ways to dress it up a bit - I have some ideas swirling around but nothing concrete yet. I'll likely insulate it too.

Here's a pic, without the chimney section - best I could do in wind, rain & dark! I'll get some better shots tomorrow.

Sarah

[rlf5]

Re: Sarah's Progress Photos

Great job!

[Frances]

Re: Sarah's Progress Photos

...hey, I don't go into the forum for half a day, and already you're nearly finished! That went so fast!!

Yes, and now we want to see some keystone pictures. What are you waiting for?

[gjbingham]

Re: Sarah's Progress Photos

Nice job Sarah!

I'm right behind you, though mines a little more rustic, as I prefer to call it. When are you going to start curing it????
George

[asudavew]

Re: Sarah's Progress Photos

... and row 12!

OK, I won't be done today as I still need a keystone, plus some inside work - it's not as neat when you use a ball - one of the tradeoffs. So that's it for today.

Still, I am almost there! Now, if it just doesn't freeze!!

Sarah

I think it looks great!

Have fun putting in the last brick!

Don't forget to take pictures!

[sarah h]

Re: Sarah's Progress Photos

... and row 12!

OK, I won't be done today as I still need a keystone, plus some inside work - it's not as neat when you use a ball - one of the tradeoffs. So that's it for today.

Still, I am almost there! Now, if it just doesn't freeze!!

Sarah