A new Folly at Full Moon Farm-- build thread

[Chach]

I was curious if you finished the top portion of your oven...I haven't seen a pic but it sure was looking good

[rwiegand]

Finally back to working on it this week. Various travels and other projects got in the way of starting earlier, though (in my defense) it is well into May before the "4 days with lows above 40 degrees" recommended for the mortar setting the veneer stone is met. Now its raining 3-4 days a week!

Anyway, all the trim is now in place, buttoning up the eves-- another thing I had to wait for was for the wrens who nested in the rafters to fledge, and painting the trim is done. I've applied the mortar scratch coat to the top, and am ready to start applying stone again.

I messed myself up with order of operations, I'd decided to get the roof on ASAP last summer, now I'm stressing about how to get to the back side of the chimney to apply the stone without standing on my slate and breaking it. I've rigged up a support for a ladder that spreads the weight out using a block of dense foam. I hope that's enough! You'll hear the cursing from here if I break a slate. Erecting scaffolding for 20 minutes of work didn't seem like a great choice, but we'll see.

[7caesers]

Really like your build Rwiegand. I plan to have build very much like yours. I do have one question. Do you think that over time the steel sole plate on the concrete will rust? That's why I'm considering using narrow cinder blocks for the walls.

[Chach]

Really like your build Rwiegand. I plan to have build very much like yours. I do have one question. Do you think that over time the steel sole plate on the concrete will rust? That's why I'm considering using narrow cinder blocks for the walls.

I was thinking of doing 4" block walls for the top of the enclosure as well but after adding up the weight that would add over 3000 lbs more to my structure. Thats when I decided to go with exterior grade 18g structural steel studs. if you go with this they are made to support weight and are made to sit outside as well. I worked in a new construction Building that was built using only this type of stud with a heavier gauge for the walls and no wood. You will be fine as long as you purchase the correct product and not the studs on the shelf at home depot. Menards special orders them in packs of 10 any size width and length or local supply houses have them readily available. Hope this helps with your question.

[rwiegand]

Yes, that's a concern. I overhung the roof so that for the most part the structure stays dry-- there will be some wind-driven snow and rain of course. I sloped the small slate shelf a bit to carry water away. Water can wick up through the base as well, though it has to get 3 ft. The studs are pretty well galvanized, the scraps sitting out in the weather for a year haven't rusted at all. In retrospect I would have put a waterproof flashing between the concrete and steel (the peel-and-stick stuff you use for window flashing.

I think the oven will outlive me by a lot; whether it will last 2500 years like the ones in Pompeii I can't say.

[7caesers]

The peel and stick flashing is an option. I will have to give that some consideration.

[7caesers]

My build is quite similar to yours. I would really like to see your finished product. Please post a picture when you have time.

[rwiegand]

It's almost complete, I'm going to replace the little metal chimney cap with a piece of granite I've had cut to give the top of the chimney a more finished look. I just need to free up my truck to go get a lift from the rental place to get the 100 lb piece up 15 ft. Other than that it is done. We use it at least once a week. Works like a champ.

[7caesers]

That is really sharp! Beautiful work!

[Chach]

Very Nice work....i have been working a ton of overtime and havent touched mine since june...i am going to start up again in a week and close it up before winter.

[purplehaze]

Impressive build, nice work.

[rwiegand]

It's done!! At long last I've completed the last step (well, not counting making a proper door). The top of my chimney looked insubstantial and unfinished to me with just a stainless steel pan up there, so I had a piece of granite made to top off the chimney. This weekend we rented a Genie lift to hoist it into place and today it was warm enough to finish the installation. I made a flashing out of lead sheet, pounding it into shape around a form I made and today fixed everything in place using a Sikaflex adhesive. The flashing goes around the chimney pipe and then about 4" out onto the granite.

We're using the oven about once a week, even when it's snowing. Great addition to our social lives, people ask when they can come over for pizza!

[UtahBeehiver]

Congrats on finishing the oven. Nice looking oven.

[fox]

Fantastic well done....

[Chach]

Looks amazing...it's those little finishing touches that makes a project pop and you achieved that for sure.

Ricky