Dino's 42" Pizza Oven Starts

[Wiley]

Re: Dino's 42" Pizza Oven Starts

Dino, I see where it looks like you already cut and installed the angle iron. I tried a different approach using bond beam blocks. I installed them upsides down and placed rebar so that it ran up inside the side blocks across the bond beam blocks and down the opposite side. This made for the rebar (which is a tension member) nearer the bottom of the lintel (where the tension is). The rebar I tied up with tie wire so that it didn't sink to the bottom, not that it would since the legs (verticals that ran inside the outer blocks) ran all the way to the slab. I then simply blocked the open cells of the blocks with a piece of 2x8 cut to the proper width and length and used a layer of wax paper for a release film. I supported the 2 x 8 cut down with props at each end. It worked well, after all the span is very short. Since you already cut the blocks to accommodate the angle iron you could simply use the same blocking as I described.

Looks like you had a busy day! I too divided the space below the hearth slab with a support wall and made it into two storage areas.

Looking good!

Wiley

[mfiore]

Re: Dino's 42" Pizza Oven Starts

Dino, I had the same question when I put up my stand.

I supported a board under the 4 block to close it off, then filled with concrete.

[RTflorida]

Re: Dino's 42" Pizza Oven Starts

Dino,
Use some scrap wood and prop up a piece on the underside (to block the holes) and fill it all with concrete. Knock out the wood after its sets up a couple of days.

RT

[christo]

Re: Dino's 42" Pizza Oven Starts

The board idea looks good to me. I like the divided area in the stand, too.

If you are placing your slab on top of the blocks you can still choose to eliminate those blocks and span the opening with the rebar reinforced slab.

I made lintels using some full size specialty blocks that were on sale at the local brickyard (.50 cents each). The counterman said they were for running electrical conduit inside block walls - so they had slots already cut in them lengthwise for conduit. I decided to build the units separately and install them later. Figured setting them upside down on the ground and pouring concrete into the holes was easier. So I placed them end to end, cut them to length, filled them with concrete and inserted a piece angle iron. Did it at the same time I filled the cores on the block stand so it did not cost me an extra day. Lifting them in place was a bit tough. I like the board idea much better.

Christo

[Ken524]

Re: Dino's 42" Pizza Oven Starts

Dino,

I really, REALLY like your stand design. The dual opening with the opening on the side is genius. Would have been perfect for my application. Oh well!

For my front "angle iron" blocks, I stuffed them half full of concrete bags and drizzled concrete in them. Once it set, I didn't have to worry about the heavy slab concrete oozing out the bottom.

http://www.fornobravo.com/forum/f21/...html#post13845
(post #7, third picture).

It was a super easy and fast solution. Once the bags are removed from the bottom, there will be a small open area in each core, but no one (including you) will ever see it once it's finished out.

[Dino_Pizza]

Re: Dino's 42" Pizza Oven Starts

Thanks everyone for the input on filling holes. Wiley, your build sounds like it will be really strong. I'll follow RT or Mikes method to fill the front holes.

Christo, my front-half opening has the only angle irons and block-header across it. My side-half opening (Thanks for the compliment Ken , it's a modification of what Mike (mfiore) did and our desire to get crap OUT of the garage and hide it some where.

My only "problem" in everything I did yesterday was that angle iron in the front. I wanted to recess it in the block but oooh....what a hassle to grind 1/8" by 2" deep front and bottom of 4 plus blocks!!! I used a 7" skill saw, a masonry blade and almost an hour of my time to BADLY grind just 1 block! Then my masonry blade brock apart. To cut 1/8" off is really hard and the blade bends out. I GAVE UP. I just put both front and rear angle iron in and therefor my front row is 1/8" higher than all the other blocks in the stand. I plan on bringing the hearth slab pour back to level when I form it.
IS THAT OK? Does anyone see a problem with it?

PS: what was I doing wrong? Should I have used a 7" diamond blade on my little saw? I couldn't fit the 16" long blocks on the HF wet saw.

Thanks again everyone, I never could have got to this stage without this website.
-Dino

[Wiley]

Re: Dino's 42" Pizza Oven Starts

Dino,
If I understand what you are saying correctly, at present the lintel blocks have not been cut to accommodate the angle iron. If that is correct you still might consider what I did, It sure was a whole lot easier than the cutting the blocks and installing the angle iron. Here's a link to the post with some pictures of what I did:

http://www.fornobravo.com/forum/3/st...html#post35280

Wiley

[exceloven]

Re: Dino's 42" Pizza Oven Starts

Dino,
At the rate you are going you probably filled your blocks today already. I dont understand why it it took so long to notch the block for the angle iron. Maybe you had the wrong blade. I used my 4" angle grinder and it took about ten minutes to do them all. Either way your stand looks great and in the end it won't matter anyway. Keep up the good work and the pix.

Mark

[Ken524]

Re: Dino's 42" Pizza Oven Starts

Mark (Exceloven) is right. It won't make a bit of difference. Once the slab is poured and you finish the exterior, only you will know about the 1/8" inch difference (and you'll probably forget about it in a few months ).

[christo]

Re: Dino's 42" Pizza Oven Starts

One hint with the HF saw. But it may be a reckless suggestion. So beware.

I took the motor off the unit and used it as a freehand unit when cutting base blocks. It seems like it's intended to do that as it has nice handles on each side. It was balanced and easy to handle.

Needless to say - be careful - even though the blade does not have teeth or serraations I bet it could still do a number on a finger or thigh....

Christo

[Dino_Pizza]

Re: Dino's 42" Pizza Oven Starts

Thanks Mark and Ken, I'm sure your right and I'll leave it alone. Wiley, I did go too far to bother with inverting the bond beam blocks. Thanks for picture too. I understand now what you did and it was great! I would do that next time.

And Christo, I totally fell in love with my HF saw yesterday and now you tell me it can do even more! I would have totally removed it and tried cutting free hand but it's too late now. And I think my angle grinder WOULD have worked had it not been used since the '94 earthquake repairs so the grind-disc would barely cut a cake let alone block. I'm putting much quality time and good money toward this so the least I could do is replaced worn blades and such on my hand tools. Word to the wise (or newbie).

I'm almost thru re-baring my freeway on ramp...I mean my oven hearth base. Sunday, I'm going to see how many cells or holes a 60lb bag will fill with concrete and that will tell me if I'll fill all block cells or almost all.

thanks, Dino

[exceloven]

Re: Dino's 42" Pizza Oven Starts

Dino,
Just a thought. I filled my cells all the way to one below the top block. Then I formed the hearth and poured the hearth at the same time as the last block to tie it all together. I don't know if it really matters but thats what I did.

Mark

[christo]

Re: Dino's 42" Pizza Oven Starts

Looking good!!!

That looks like the beginnings of a super strong floor. Based on your strong start - I'm definately going to be following your build!

I used the fiberglass reinforced surface bond finishing mix to coat my base - I put it on about 1/4 inch thick. Result? all imperfections forgotten!

Thanks!

Christo

[mfiore]

Re: Dino's 42" Pizza Oven Starts

Dino, I missed a few days. Looks like your off to a great start! You'll be really happy with your double entrance stand. I like the modified design. If you haven't yet, post a photo of it in the photo gallery under hearth and stand. This will give ideas to future builders.

[Dino_Pizza]

Re: Dino's 42" Pizza Oven Starts

Hi Mike, thanks for reminding me to post to the photo gallery. I'll do that for sure. It was pics of your split base that helped me with my design & it's amazing how the visual stuff is so helpful!
Also, I just received, 3 hours ago by fedex, my FornoBravo FB board and 2 boxes Refmix. I'm sooo exicted. Tomorrow, or Sat, I will pour my 4" upper base so I'll be playing with cutting the Insulation Board and my haring bone brick pattern while my concrete dries.
I found a place that has 95 cent Muddox fire brick about 20min. away from me so I'll be picking up 275 bricks.
I just checked your entire thread and really enjoyed your pics. They will be so helpful for the dome and arch build. It's exciting and nerve-racking at the same time. It's just great.
Thanks, Dino