Mullins Luxy Build

[Gulf]

Hi David,

I was thinking of the supports underneath the slab, and not the forms around the hearth. It's the usual impatience to see how it turned out (especially after my arch collapsing), tempered by the fact that I think I should leave those supports as long as 2-3 weeks at least, as I don;t want this one collapsing!

Thanks

mullins

You should be good in 3 weeks, if you placed wedges under the supports to allow for easy removal. In 28 days, that concrete will be everything that it is ever going to be. If you did not put wedges under the supports, I would wait the full 28 days.

[Mullins]

I am going to contact the stone supplier to see what I can put on it to enhance the look of the stone.

I left the form on till the end of my build because it gave me something to stand on as I worked on the upper parts of the dome. I think a few days to a week is the usual time to leave the form on the slab. Longer is better.

David

Hi David,

I was thinking of the supports underneath the slab, and not the forms around the hearth. It's the usual impatience to see how it turned out (especially after my arch collapsing), tempered by the fact that I think I should leave those supports as long as 2-3 weeks at least, as I don;t want this one collapsing!

Thanks

mullins

[Mullins]

Hi, I was trying to add picture to my last post as the original pictures did not upload, but it would not let me. Original post below, with the pics that were meant to upload. As I repost, it is possible the original pics were too big...

"Onwards and upwards. The prep for the pours seems to take longer than I think!

Hearth is 10.5cm (4 inch) with 10mm rebar on 27cm (10.5 inch) centres . it took 10.5 bags of 40kgs (88lbs) each and I could have done with and bag or half bag...

Happy enough with the results. How long should I leave forms on for?"

[DavidApp]

I am going to contact the stone supplier to see what I can put on it to enhance the look of the stone.

I left the form on till the end of my build because it gave me something to stand on as I worked on the upper parts of the dome. I think a few days to a week is the usual time to leave the form on the slab. Longer is better.

David

[DavidApp]

Hello Mullins

Russell's design is a good use of space. Getting into the corners for wood is no fun.
I have a wall across the middle of my stand. and will probable not use the area under my oven for wood storage. My build is under cover so it is not typical. I will use the wood from my wood stove rack.

David

[Mullins]

Hi David,

Is there a clear varnish you could use?

Mullins

[DavidApp]

This is how I hid my less than perfect stucco. I wanted to do something to finish the outside apart from stucco. I think there is about 200lb of stonein my truck which cost me about $40.00
So far it is looking good but I need to find a way to make the stone stand out like it does when it is wet.

David

[UtahBeehiver]

Initially I thought the shape was done on purpose until I looked again at the form pics. I actually think the shape is has a nice southwestern motif to it.

[purplehaze]

Who wants a plain old arch, way to be Different!!! I like it so does the wife, just go with it.

[Gulf]

The "Gaudi" style doesn't come to my mind when I look at. I'm thinking of a more natural stone look. With the right stone veneer, the right texture of stucco, a stamped vertical concrete etc., it could look pretty impressive.

[Mullins]

Yeah, my initial reaction was also ouch! I will plough on with the hearth and see how I feel further down the line.

Maybe I will Gaudi the whole build up a bit! Lesson learned on what is a superficial form. Prefer to see it happen here than have the hearth collapse...

Mullins

[Gulf]

Ouch!............................................. ...................But, to be honest, the more that I look at it, the more I like it.

[Mullins]

So, it would appear David was quite prescient in his comments about ensuring the forms were strong enough! When I removed the forms, I was disheartened to see I now have a curvy arch. It's not terminal, and I reckon I should be able to get the diamond saw at it, and then patch it up to the original shape I was after. I have to admit that part of me is wondering if I should fix it, or leave the curvy arch as a bit of character! Chances are in this instance, that it was not the weight of the concrete, but the weight of me poking the arch with a large piece of rebar that caused it to collapse. Both bottom corners were sounding empty of concrete and hollow as I tapped the forms with a hammer in an effort to reduce air pockets. Even though I had purposefully mixed the concrete quite wet it appeared not to fill those corners. I poked and prodded both corners with rebar in an effort to fill the corners. I hit the arch a couple of times... Let it be a lesson to others! Mullins

[DavidApp]

Hello Mullins

Nice start to your build.

Make sure your forms are strong enough to support the concrete mix and think carefully about how you are going to remove the forms when the concrete sets. I had a hard time getting one of my forms out.

David

[UtahBeehiver]

What, trade green jello and fry sauce (Utah's favs) for Voodoo chips and squirrel jumbo? Larry , sorry for hijacking the thread.