Bill's Northwest Pizza Oven

[jrparks]

Re: Bill's Northwest Pizza Oven

I used 2/3 thirds of a mortar bag to do the soldiers course. I think it may take 4 bags to complete. When mixing the mortar I let it set for 10-15 minutes before giving it another stir, adding more water if necessary. I also submerged the bricks in water before setting them, and used a large tile sponge to wet the existing brick. The sponge has brillo pad on the back and that was useful to clean the seams as I moved along.

I?m not decided on which form method to use yet and have until Saturday to decide. I like the method you are using but curious about how it will work with the higher courses in the dome.

I will definitely cover the floor. I made a one out of OSB that I removed 1hr after setting the soldiers course to clean up the floor seam. I will reset the OSB before continuing.

I haven?t figured out a cutting jig for the wet saw yet but have some ideas popping in my head. It sure is fun to see my oven looking like the ones I?ve been studying on the FB for the last year.

Cheers,

[Dino_Pizza]

Re: Bill's Northwest Pizza Oven

Really nice work there Bill. I'm was wondering how well the plywood template method would work. I'm going to cut mine this week and try it. I like how you interlocked your vent walls. Your hints and helpful observations are welcomed.
Thanks, Dino

[bbell]

Re: Bill's Northwest Pizza Oven

A couple of points I've discovered along the way...:

I've almost used two bags of mortar to get to my current spot. We'll see if the third bag does it.

I would definately cover the floor to keep it from all the "stuff that falls onto it from this process.

I've been using a spray bottle (seen on another build)to wet the bricks I'm going to lay the next brick on and it works pretty well.

I saw a big sponge in someone else's build and now use one to wipe the bricks down after laying a few down. keeps the joints, faces of the brick cleaner and will probably be easier when doing the final clean.

The plywood template has worked well in keeping the dome an actual dome an actual dome. We'll see how it works through the higher chains.

I realize now that my first few batches of mortar were on the thin side and it's better, for me, when I mix it thicker - more like dry mashed potatoes. Sets and holds better for me.

If you've set up some kind of template or jig to shape and cut those fun transition bricks that go from dome to vent area, you might want to cut a couple of extra. I needed 2 more for holding the arch bricks (like the originals then cut again at a 45 deg. angle to take each of the first arch bricks, but had to recreate the template to match the ones below (sorry for the confusing explanation). I should have thought of just making them when cutting the others.

I've luckily had a lot of use from the discard pieces from cutting to shape the hearth floor bricks. We'll see how much scrap is actually left.

I hope this helps. If better explanations are needed for any of this please let me know and I'll add a picture.

I appreciate everyone's help!

[bbell]

Re: Bill's Northwest Pizza Oven

Way to go John and welcome back!

I have a question for the crew.

I realize that if I'm going to do any work on the interior walls of the oven without crawling inside (or bribing my son to crawl inside...) now would be the time. How important is it to put some mortar in the open "V" that develops between the sides of each brick? I have this vision of a turkey baster full of mortar laying a bead in each open space...

Any thoughts?

[jrparks]

Re: Bill's Northwest Pizza Oven

Looks great Bill,
After 2,200 miles I back at it...at least for a couple days. Your progess is looking fine. I managed to get my first row done today.
Cheers,
John

[bbell]

Re: Bill's Northwest Pizza Oven

Brick by brick.....

Had time today to add stone, bulk, mass and mortar. Found the first compound cut required where arch meets dome. Found tricks I wasn't aware of with the saw. Each transition brick worked out great. I wish now I had a photo. Initial arch was a lot of fun and apprehension will build till the form is removed...

It certainly is addicting.

[bbell]

Re: Bill's Northwest Pizza Oven

Thanks Mark. I'm not sure if it was that or the wine...
Bill

[exceloven]

Re: Bill's Northwest Pizza Oven

Bill,
Now that you've fixed it I'm sure you slept better last night. Everything looks great, keep up the good work.

Mark

[jrparks]

Re: Bill's Northwest Pizza Oven

That looks great Bill! Couple more rows and you are there.
Cheers,

[Ellie]

Re: Bill's Northwest Pizza Oven

yeah, but you will feel better that is done right! What a pain though.

Looking good

Ellie

[bbell]

Re: Bill's Northwest Pizza Oven

I was able to get the soldier course done yesterday. I started the entry as well and was up three rows till I remembered the $#@%^ reveal! Instead spending time on a work around I took the entry/landing rows down to make sure I did it right. This is very uncharacteristic.... Today, I was able to start the rebuild, with the reveal this time and lay a couple of rows.

It's probably hard to tell from these pictures but but it's actually snowing ....

[gjbingham]

Re: Bill's Northwest Pizza Oven

I'll bet you're fine as is. Don't stop now. Pizza by March!

[bbell]

Re: Bill's Northwest Pizza Oven

THanks Les and Gjbingham,

I'll let the ash fall where it may and do a peel test. I've found that "flat' is realtive. Not quite ruffle potato chip yet not exactly still pond water either.

Should work just fine.

[gjbingham]

Re: Bill's Northwest Pizza Oven

If you're not positive about the flatness, get or borrow a peel and test out your floor. Belt sanding the bricks is, in my book, a last resort to fixing a floor problem - (now that I've learned from my mistakes).

[Les]

Re: Bill's Northwest Pizza Oven

Bill - don't sweat it, they will fill with ash. The bigger concern is the flatness, did that go well?

Les...