Greg's Pompeii 42" - San Diego

[geisen]

Re: Greg's Pompeii 42" - San Diego

The 6th row is the first row where gravity is starting to overcome friction. I can't dry set the bricks anymore. they slide off. I also have to allow a little more set up time before I can move the arm and set the next brick. Previous rows I could set the next brick as fast as I could lay the mortar. Now I have to slow down and drink a swig of beer in between bricks.

[geisen]

Re: Greg's Pompeii 42" - San Diego

6th row finished. The guide arm is really keeping the whole oven in a perfect circle. A little variation at the arch transition cuz i used whole bricks but it will be easily fixed on the next row.

By the way, just want to re-emphasize, soak the bricks and use a sponge to wet all surfaces before laying the mortar. Otherwise the firebrick sucks all the water out of the mortar too fast. I kept a couple of inches of water in the bottom of a wheelbarrow. makes it easy to move a row of bricks from the pile to the saw and to the WFO all while keeping the bricks wet. seems to really help the mortar bond better.

[Dino_Pizza]

Re: Greg's Pompeii 42" - San Diego

Looks great Greg. That very slight lean against the inner arch you have is hard to avoid. You'll be able to bring that right back to "round" on the next row. Attaching the rings to that arch where a bit hard for me but you've made it look easy. Nice work and pics too, Dino

[Bandrasco]

Re: Greg's Pompeii 42" - San Diego

Very nice work Greg. Great choice on the flared entry as well. You'll be cooking in no time.

I think the stone work and arches really make the setting for your pizza oven. Can't wait to see the final product.

Keep up the good work,

Bill

[geisen]

Re: Greg's Pompeii 42" - San Diego

Still plugging away. Row 7 almost up.

[geisen]

Re: Greg's Pompeii 42" - San Diego

3 more to go?

[exceloven]

Re: Greg's Pompeii 42" - San Diego

Looks great Greg, keep plugging away. Once I started cooking I stopped the finish of the exterior. Don't do what I did! Although its hard to resist once you start using it.

Mark

[eprante]

Re: Greg's Pompeii 42" - San Diego

Greg,

Your project looks great. I am in El Cajon and just started thinking about doing this project. I have been reading the site for a couple of weeks trying to learn as much as possible. I would love to see the project in person, and see exactly how you are doing the cuts on the bricks etc(since I've never laid or cut a brick in my life). If that is too much to ask, no worries, I'll just keep looking at the pictures. You can email me at eprante@yahoo.com

Eric

Thanks,

[geisen]

Re: Greg's Pompeii 42" - San Diego

Eric
You are welcome anytime.
Wear your work clothes and we'll give you some hands on training. ;-)
GG

[mfiore]

Re: Greg's Pompeii 42" - San Diego

Looks great. Nice to see it closing in. Keep it up.

[exceloven]

Re: Greg's Pompeii 42" - San Diego

Greg,
Looks great. I like your flared entry. It will make your door soooo much easier to get out. I debated it for awhile and just wimped out (didn't want to deal with the flared arch). Now, when I think about it, if you can build a dome, you should be able to do a flared arch. Oh well, already done.
You'll be firing it up before you know it. Start collecting firewood!

Mark

[geisen]

Re: Greg's Pompeii 42" - San Diego

A few more shots.

[geisen]

Re: Greg's Pompeii 42" - San Diego

How I cut the compound cuts to taper my bricks on two sides... didn't bother with the top and bottom cuts.

For rows 3-7:
I put the 15 or so bricks I needed for a row in a wheel barrow next to my saw with some water in it.
Cut the bricks in half. goes pretty quick when you set up a guide.

Now I had 30 half bricks 4.5 x 4.5 in

I cut a wedge of 2x4 with a 4deg slope (kinda like a 4" wide shallow doorstop)
Set the half brick on top of the wedge on the saw.
This gives the tapered bottom to top cut of 4deg which has been pretty good for rows 3-7. I'll probably recut a 5deg wedge for the next row.


For the front to back taper you have to angle the brick on the table by turning it a few degrees. I used three door shims stacked together to angle the brick for the second angle.

Now cut all 30 bricks with that compound cut. and you are half way there.

Flip the wedge and shims to the other side of the table and cut the bricks on the other side. ta da

Once you get it going, you can knock out a row in under 30mins.

[geisen]

Re: Greg's Pompeii 42" - San Diego

7th course complete yea!!!!
How many more?

[Les]

Re: Greg's Pompeii 42" - San Diego

How many more?

I believe the standard is 12 + plug. Looking good!

Les...