Bill's Northwest Pizza Oven

[bbell]

Re: Bill's Northwest Pizza Oven

Then it's time!
Many thanks
Bill

[bbell]

Re: Bill's Northwest Pizza Oven

Weather was good this weekend so I was able to add a couple of chains. I immediately found out first hand how one tends to go to a tear drop shape. Creative cutting ensued and I think I can get the kinks out in the next chain. Spent quite a bit of time trying to get a glimpse up and inside to find the needed dimensions for awkwardly cut pieces.

I've let go of any and all aspirations to be a mason. Another career down the tube! I'm just going to focus on the pizza. I'm much planning on more success with peel than trowel... I also realized that all the great workmanship I've been watching across the forum is exceptional. I congratulate you. I think it's also a little like high school reunions where everyone looks great. Those that have gone to pot, just don't go to the reunions... I'll post pictures regardless!

I do enjoy watching the dome height grow and the opening diminish.

Any advise on whether a 40" oven should use a 6" or a 8" flue?

[Les]

Re: Bill's Northwest Pizza Oven

Bill - you are selling yourself short. Your work looks good. Cooking is just around the corner. In regard to class reunions - I loved the fact that I could say " you broke up with me be-ach"

Les...

[dmun]

Re: Bill's Northwest Pizza Oven

I used a nominal 8 inch clay tile (about 7 x 7 with rounded corners inside) for my 36 inch oven. Draws like a champ, of course it's taller than most oven chimneys.

[bbell]

Re: Bill's Northwest Pizza Oven

Thanks Les. If I had to say that to each one that dumped me I'd go horse!

I'll add a picture of my more recent temporary, easy to hand, specialized support tool.... Always the professional.

[gjbingham]

Re: Bill's Northwest Pizza Oven

Nice work Bill. I think it looks great. Easy to pick on one's own work.

Regarding the flue size, do you mean chimney itself or the size of the flu-arch transition opening?

[jrparks]

Re: Bill's Northwest Pizza Oven

HI Bill,
I think your oven is looking great! I have some comfort being a few courses behind you and hope mine will turn out as well as your is. I keep telling myself 'It's just Brick.'
I'm also going to have to get creative with supporting the higher courses. I think your use of the channel-lock wrench is great. I'm paying lots of attention to how the mortar is mix and how it feels as have been laying the lower courses. I started mixing mortar in smaller batches so I'm able to slow down and not feel rushed.
I'm out of town for the next few weeks and look forward to longer and warmer days. More snow in the Northwest tomorrow

[bbell]

Re: Bill's Northwest Pizza Oven

John, I've seen the tools you've created and your start and know it's a masterpiece in progress. I hope the travel is sunnier climes outside work.

I was wondering about the flue - from replies I'm tending toward 8".

Have a great week.

[dbhansen]

Re: Bill's Northwest Pizza Oven

Lookin' good, Bill! Don't sweat the irregularities - we all have them. And nice use of the pliers! :-)

[jrparks]

Re: Bill's Northwest Pizza Oven

Bill,
Page 45 for the FB plans calls for a 8" flute, for ovens of
40"+ diameter.

Looks like you need to use a little caution when working on the back side of your oven. How far is that drop?
Cheers

[bbell]

Re: Bill's Northwest Pizza Oven

John, the fall at the edge of the retaining wall is only 6'. If the city asks - it's 4' (limits on wall construction without permits.....). So 4'....

DB - thanks and more irregularities again occured today. As I'm told repeatedly - it's just bricks!

[bbell]

Re: Bill's Northwest Pizza Oven

The rains have stayed away and should keep away for the next couple of days. I've found there's a limit to how many bricks I can successfully lay at a time before I start to run out of make shift props, jostle pre-existing props or go cross-eyed trying to figure out a cut. The short days (though improving!) make 6 to 10 bricks a good goal after work. A little form work for the vent area can be done in the dark....

[Les]

Re: Bill's Northwest Pizza Oven

It's looking pretty damn good Bill - I don't think you will have any issues when you get to the plug. God speed!

Les...

[jrparks]

Re: Bill's Northwest Pizza Oven

That is looking great Bill. You should be curing by March. I'm gone for most of the next 2 weekends, so my project is on hold. I do have some new ideas about how to brace multiple bricks after seen and reading your challanges. How has your mortar been curing on the lower courses with the cold temps? Keep up the good work.
Cheers,

[bbell]

Re: Bill's Northwest Pizza Oven

The support matrix is getting more complicated.... but holding. Closing in.