Acoma 42" Tuscan

[Acoma]

Re: Acoma 42" Tuscan

I'm interested in seeing photos of your bevel approach. I know I'll need to revisit my approach of one brick at a time.

RC, I will take a photo tomorrow of a brick for you. I have done enough bricks to last two courses, but due to the dome angling further in, I frequently do angle cuts on the bricks from front to back, say 4 times on course 5.

[CanuckJim]

Re: Acoma 42" Tuscan

Acoma,

Your TC positions seem about right to me. Don't worry, you won't compromise the strength of the brick by drilling it. Just plug the hole with Refmix, or better yet furnace caulking out of a tube.

Jim

[RCLake]

Re: Acoma 42" Tuscan

I'm interested in seeing photos of your bevel approach. I know I'll need to revisit my approach of one brick at a time - I went shopping today to replace my wet saw. Now being able to make a cut in one pass I've been wondering on how to do the bevels.

[dusty]

Re: Acoma 42" Tuscan

I am not sure I fully understand, but if it works then, by all means, stick to it! Looks very nice so far. Keep it up and have fun. I think it was Steve who said "they grow up so fast these days!"

dusty

[Acoma]

Re: Acoma 42" Tuscan

As of this evening I will be half done with course 5. I have enough Refmix to get me there. I ordered more Refmix from FB which should arrive tomorrow. I hope it is enough to get me complete with the dome, as well as for the cladding. If not, then I will get more.

I have cut the bricks for both courses 5 and 6, with 5 to be finished tomorrow night, then 6 by Sunday evening. I should be expected to finish 7 and 8 the following week.

I had beveled one side of each half brick, which worked great on the first 4 courses. Once I hit 5 I thought I would be ok too. Well, I was way wrong. I mortared two bricks this way and found a big upside down V. Big as in barely over a 1/4 in. at bottom, but big to me. I decided more work was now to be added to cuts. I went back to the wet saw for all the half bricks of course 5 and 6, then I added a bevel of the straigt side of the brick. Now I know my method is different than a few, since some bevel both sides of the brick with angle out and down. I had decided to bevel one side out, one side down. I tested this method on course 5 for 7 bricks now mortared, and it looks great!
Therefore, I will continue this method.

[Acoma]

Re: Acoma 42" Tuscan

Thanks guys. I will continue with ideas and contributions upon completion of the oven, just like the other great builders that continue.

I must ask those that are using thermocouples for a quick answer or two.

Q1: If I want to put a thermocouple in at a course that has been completed, does it compromise the brick/mortar strength from drilling?

Q2: I am ready to do course 5 tomorrow, which runs to the arch. Would that be an appropriate location for the ambiant (internal air reading) T/C? It would be my 3rd T/C, and would just barely penetrate the brick. (My first 2 are in the floor bricks).

Q3: I plan to use my 4th T/C in the dome toward the top? Does this make sense or not?

Q5: I would use the 5th T/C between brick and cladding. I believe this is right, but mid dome height, mid back from arch?

Q6: My 6th to be between cladding and blanket. Same area as 5th?

Thanks for replying.

[asudavew]

Re: Acoma 42" Tuscan

Very Nice Rob!
I'm glad to see you are moving along so well.

Keep up the good work! I am enjoying seeing your progress, although I haven't been able to keep up as well as I would like to these days.
Hopefully I will have some free time soon.

Dave

[biondoli]

Re: Acoma 42" Tuscan

Rob I am amazed! I think you are going to achieve the "perfect" pizza oven!
Very nice, I keep looking to George's and you your posting as I do not want to lose the knowledge and keeping up with new ideas you both have......I stopped working for the winter ...here is impossible..today below 0 again.
Hope to catch you up before you finish and leave the forum! ciao Carlo

[Acoma]

Re: Acoma 42" Tuscan

Frances, thank you so much for your input. It is great to get feedback from you as well.

As for the bricks and cutting one side only, I felt better with some mortar inbetween than nearly none, so the one sided cuts provided the small gaps to keep me satisfied.

The 4th course has a strong angle to it, whereas the 3rd was not bringing the dome in like I wanted. The 5th thru the 8th will get me to the desired 20 inch that I want. I believe the quantity of bricks will be determined by the cuts that get my bricks to keep from lining up over each other, and however many it takes to complete the course. The first 2 were 28 bricks, and the last 2 were 27.

Course 5 will be the first to tie into the arch, and likely course 6 will be the top. Course 7 should be clear of the arch, allowing me complete circles.

Keep the feedback coming, I appreciate it from all of you.

Thanks,
Acoma.

[Frances]

Re: Acoma 42" Tuscan

So you want feedback from lady builders, huh?

OK, will do:

Of course I've also been following your build from the beginning. I am especially impressed (if not to say intimidated) with the the degree of planning you put into your project. What patience and dedication! I seem to remember you were discussing measurements and building variations before even starting the foundations - whereas I was out there tearing up the backyard the day after I discovered this forum.

But of course that's one of the fascinating things about this place, the way everyone builds their oven differently. So I'll try to overcome my awe and chime in on your build anyway

You said you're cutting just one side of each brick? Is each course is going to be 27 bricks, just narrower towards the top? That would be a great way to stop the joints from lining up. Or are you going to reduce the number of bricks higher up?

I especially like the shape of your archway - slightly pointy towards the top, sort of leaning towards a gothic arch shape. And it looks really good with the lip shaved off, I'm glad that turned out so well.

All the planning is certainly paying off, and its great watching your dome come together. It looks really good!

... so, thats all from this lady builder for now. I think Sarah's more or less left the forum for the winter, but maybe she'll chime in again sometime

[gjbingham]

Re: Acoma 42" Tuscan

Looking good Rob,
Are you seeing this in your dreams now?

[Acoma]

Re: Acoma 42" Tuscan

I finished the 4th course last night. I have do need to mortar the gaps still, but that is cake. Then on to course 5.

I also grinder to clean up the arch, inner dome to arch, and little areas.

I should be able to do course 5 and 6 by end of next Sunday.

Lastly, it is sad not to get input from the lady builders here as well. Come on, I know you're out there.

[gjbingham]

Re: Acoma 42" Tuscan

Looking forward to seeing your progress. I'll let you off the hook about the gloves. I've reverted to gloveless work, now that my cuts have healed.
George

[Acoma]

Re: Acoma 42" Tuscan

I finished the 4th course today! Wow, 4 courses in a week. Tomorrow will be day of the grinder, the the photo to share.

[dusty]

Re: Acoma 42" Tuscan

Looks fantastic Robert! Your planning and patience are very evident. Keep up the good work and enjoy!

dusty