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  • Alternating Partial-Taper brick construction?

    Hi all,
    This is my first submission to the forum. I am planning my Pompeii oven for a firing in the spring. There is a lot of great information on the construction of domes on this site thank you. While I was planning my project I started making a model of the brick dome in Sketchup, Which I use for my woodworking projects.

    In looking through the threads I became very interested in tapering the bricks to affect an internal dome with minimal grout gaps. Very nice. There are some wonderful threads including:

    http://www.fornobravo.com/forum/f28/...idea-2573.html (Hendo's dome gauge -- nice idea)
    http://www.fornobravo.com/forum/f28/...tilt-2802.html (Twist and Tilt)

    While working my model on the computer with the idea of tapering bricks it struck me that I could try two things.

    1) Make the tapers large enough so that only on the front (internal dome) of the block is cut. I am removing only enough material to eliminate the small triangle created by two adjacent rectangular bricks (see image). Keeping the blocks as large as possible.

    2)Only taper every other block in the course.One rectangular block one partial tapered block (see image). Seems like half the work to me.

    The resulting dome is presented in the third attachment. You can notice the alternating rectangles and trapezoids but little grout seam.

    I do have a question to those with experience building a dome. Is there any obvious problem with this approach especially in terms of structural problems?

    Cheers

  • #2
    Re: Alternating Partial-Taper brick construction?

    Your needed gap sizes will be determined largely by your choice of mortar.

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Alternating Partial-Taper brick construction?

      Looks good to me.

      Come to think about it, I probably did about the same thing on my dome only in a more haphazard way - that should work out really well.
      "Building a Brick oven is the most fun anyone can have by themselves." (Terry Pratchett... slightly amended)

      http://www.fornobravo.com/forum/f8/p...pics-2610.html
      http://www.fornobravo.com/forum/f9/p...nues-2991.html

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Alternating Partial-Taper brick construction?

        Thats certainly an option but what you will use a lot of very expensive refractory mortar filling in the gaps. I went with the route of both bevel and taper since the fire bricks are cheap and the mortar is expensive. I've seen many builds like that and didn't hear of any not being structurally sound.

        I like the drawing (cad?), that would be nice to look at prior to a build.

        Good luck!
        Bill,

        Check out my build http://www.fornobravo.com/forum/f8/b...egin-5443.html

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Alternating Partial-Taper brick construction?

          I think we've found our forum Google Sketchup expert!!!

          If you're planning on using the homemade mortar mix, I think that design will result in a good looking oven that is cost effective and minimizes cuts.

          You might consider using a mix of the homemade mortar (fill in large gaps on outside of dome) and the refrax type mix on the tight joints (butt and side to side) and come to think of it - maybe the first ring, too. I think egalecki filled the large joints on her oven with a pastry bag or mortar bag.

          Christo
          My oven progress -
          http://www.fornobravo.com/forum/f8/c...cina-1227.html
          sigpic

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Alternating Partial-Taper brick construction?

            This reminds me of an idea I once had to taper every other brick, to approach the full cut dome:




            This provides a lower mortar usage, with a lot less work than cutting every brick into a full cut wedge. I was reminded of it because of your alternating cut and straight bricks.
            My geodesic oven project: part 1, part 2

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Alternating Partial-Taper brick construction?

              I knew someone had posted something similar! Might have known it was you , dmun
              "Building a Brick oven is the most fun anyone can have by themselves." (Terry Pratchett... slightly amended)

              http://www.fornobravo.com/forum/f8/p...pics-2610.html
              http://www.fornobravo.com/forum/f9/p...nues-2991.html

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Alternating Partial-Taper brick construction?

                Gruetzi Frances,
                Allschwil near Basel? Nice location, I used to live in Zurich (for about 5 years) actually my wife is currently in Basel for a couple of days giving a talk.
                Depending on how well I can build mine might look haphazard!

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Alternating Partial-Taper brick construction?

                  Thanks Bandrasco,
                  I must admit I was not thinking about the relative cost of bricks versus mortar. Good point. I was considering the time it takes to "precision" cut bricks. The alternating taper will at least reduce some mortar use?
                  Cheers
                  Joe

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Alternating Partial-Taper brick construction?

                    Christo,

                    I have not built anything with bricks other than fixing some dry paving in the back yard.Is it common to mix mortar types? Is it a problem to add another thermal expansion variable to the dome? What is the relative cost of the home brew relative to refrax?
                    Cheers
                    Joe

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Alternating Partial-Taper brick construction?

                      Thanks Dmun,

                      Yes, I would have been surprised if this approach had not been done in practice or planned by someone given the amount of time that people put into their planning or project construction. Your sketch clearly illustrates the alternating tapers.

                      Cheers
                      Joe

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: Alternating Partial-Taper brick construction?

                        Hi Bandrasco,

                        The program I used (Sketchup) is a great program from Google. It is free to download! I have used another true cad program but this one is amazing in the ability to quickly draw very accurate models. It is much more intuitive with a very fast learning curve (Parabolic). If I finish up my Sketchup model to the point where I am happy with the final design I can post the native drawing so people can download Sketchup and open up the drawing, modify and play as they wish.
                        Cheers
                        Joe

                        Google SketchUp

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: Alternating Partial-Taper brick construction?

                          In terms of setting up the saw once for each layer or course, would it make sense to taper one side of each brick only?

                          On second thought, I see. You set the jig on your saw, cut the taper, flip the brick and cut the other taper - no changing of the jig. I think the alternating taper cut bricks look better than one side on each brick - though you could alternate layers.... taper left; taper right; taper every other...

                          Christo
                          My oven progress -
                          http://www.fornobravo.com/forum/f8/c...cina-1227.html
                          sigpic

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: Alternating Partial-Taper brick construction?

                            http://www.fornobravo.com/forum/f6/1...mula-5207.html

                            1 part Lime, 1 Part Portland, 1 part fireclay and 3 parts sand seems to be one mix method referenced around here. these materials are pocket book friendly for sure. There are more recipies if you poke around.

                            I'd think you could use the refrax mix for archs and structural things like that and the mix above for general oven construction. Overall I feel the expansion is likely similar to the brick in both cases (as soon as things have cured and moisture has been driven out)

                            Several folks here have built successful ovens here with that mix or mixes that are similar. Check out Frances thread on her oven - I don't think her mix even had portland in it.

                            Christo
                            My oven progress -
                            http://www.fornobravo.com/forum/f8/c...cina-1227.html
                            sigpic

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: Alternating Partial-Taper brick construction?

                              Hi Joe,
                              Your Sketchup dome is great. Welcome to the forum! You've generated some good points on tapering and having others previous ideas on 1 thread is helpful to us about to begin our build.

                              I was set to taper 2 sides and bottom of all lower courses but everyone says it's tiring to do that much saw cutting and people's diamond blade life seems to vary greatly. But the fully tapered domes (like Les') look beautifully fit and trim!

                              Thanks for sharing, Dino
                              "Life is a banquet and most poor sons-of-bitches are starving to death." -Auntie Mame

                              View My Picasa Web Album UPDATED oct
                              http://picasaweb.google.com/Dino747?feat=directlink


                              My Oven Costs Spreadsheet
                              http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?k...BF19875Rnp84Uw


                              My Oven Thread
                              http://www.fornobravo.com/forum/f8/d...arts-5883.html

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