Using a mold rather than a trammel/guide

[totalnewbie]

Hey all,

I'm pretty new here and still learning, reading and planning. I wanted to ask if anyone had build a Pompeii oven using a sand or plywood mold, rather than using an adjustable guide/trammel. I definitely can't do it freehand, but I don't really have very much masonry experience and I thought having a permanent mold might help me keep my courses straight, get the inward angle right, and keep the oven round. I've seen a few ovens built with molds on YouTube.

What do you think?
Newbie

[cobblerdave]

G’day
I would be tempted to consider using a tramel if I was to build another oven. Don’t think I’ll be building another any time real soon so this one has lasted me 12 years so I recon it will see me out. Using a ply form means you can’t see how the face of the brick looks like till you you remove it. I just burnt mine out. Brick works not the neatest but it’s certainly lasted with no problems.
So don’t worry about using a form it’s just not as neat. More important is the insulation. Lack of it will effect you ovens performance more than anything else.
regards Dave

[totalnewbie]

Hi Dave,

I just looked at your build. Very nice!

I was thinking of using fewer fans for the mold, and covering it with thin, bendable material. If you can't see the interior anyway, the a sold mold might be helpful for the novice mason. I started off thinking of casting a home-brew oven on sand, but if I'm going to put all this effort into it, I might as well build something that will last -- even though it will be imperfect.

Any thoughts from the group? Mold vs. guide?

[cobblerdave]

G’day
I used a ply form so it could be used for a longer build.
If you use a sand mold put down a old foam box and use damp sand add a few old plastic drink bottles so when it comes time to dig out the sand you’ve got less sand to pull out. I’ve read to to cover the sandcastle you’ve make with sheets of damp newspaper to keep it from crumbling. You’ll have to be quik to build you dome still. The newspaper might stick to the inside of the brickwork but that will burn out easily.
hope something here helps
regards Dave