James' deck, fireplace and 36inch oven

[bimbo]

Re: James' deck, fireplace and 36inch oven

Got a bit done over the last few days but work keeps getting in the way - oh well I guess I really shouldn't complain about being busy in these economic times.

So far I have managed to build my jig. Made it all from bits I bought at Bunnings - steel tube, threaded rod which fits neatly inside steel tube, nuts and washers to fit threaded rod, angle bracket and a magnetic door stop.


First i cut the base off the magnetic door stop so it could fit up inside the steel tube - the ball bit centres itself in the tube with abit of a tap from a hammer.
I welded a nut to the back of the bracket and cut the threaded rod to size.
The threaded rod screws into the nut on the back of the bracket and a nut and washer on the other end act as a stopper/depth guide on the steel tube.


All i did then was screwed the other end of the magnetic door stopper onto a board and then centred it all on the oven floor.


I have got the soldier course up - I used full bricks and angled the tops of them so there ins't a massive mortar joint on the next course.


I also just finished the 2nd course and will post pics up soon.
Next on the list is to finish the arch and then continue the dome.

Cheers
James

[Lars]

Re: James' deck, fireplace and 36inch oven

James,
What is the ductwork for in your slab?

Lars.

[blacknoir]

Re: James' deck, fireplace and 36inch oven

I'm guessing fireplace? I'll be curious to see if that works..

[bimbo]

Re: James' deck, fireplace and 36inch oven

I'm guessing fireplace? I'll be curious to see if that works..

Yes it is for a fireplace. I think i will only need the one flue but i put 2 in cause it is easier then trying to put a 2nd one in later.
I am also curious to see if it works but i figure even if it doesn't then I can use the space for wood storage and pretend that i never tried :-)

[bimbo]

Re: James' deck, fireplace and 36inch oven

Here are some pics of the 2nd row which I laid yesterday.




I got home from work late this arvo but managed to get the bricks cut for the sides of the entry, cut a template for the arch and did a bit of dry stacking to see how it all looks





Entry is going to be about 450mm (18inch) wide and 300mm (11.5inch) high which seems about right.

Hopefully I can get it all mortared into place before the weekend

Cheers
James

[Mitchamus]

Re: James' deck, fireplace and 36inch oven

Looks good so far!

[bimbo]

Re: James' deck, fireplace and 36inch oven

Managed to get a bit done this weekend.
Got my 3rd and 4th rows up as well as my arch mortared into place





It is great cause it is already curving in heaps. Biggest pain at the moment is the oven isn't really big enough to crouch inside the oven when cleaning the mortar joints and the roof is too low to stand up - makes my legs hurt just thinking about it.

The more I read and think about this oven the more excited about the retained heat cooking. I know the pizzas are going to be good but its the breads and roasts that is making my mouth water. So i figured I should learn how to make bread and followed the ciabatta recipee on this website and it turned out pretty well for a first go - all by hand too - no mixers or bread machine.



Cheers
James

[Mitchamus]

Re: James' deck, fireplace and 36inch oven

G'day James,
Just wondering where you ordered you bricks & blanket from?

Too bad that firebrick place in Newcastle shut in the 80's....

cheers,
Mitch.

[Johnny the oven man]

Re: James' deck, fireplace and 36inch oven

Mitchamus, if you are in NSW try Field Furnace Refractories on 0297291799 or if in southern states try Refractory and Ceramics on 0395604477.

[Mitchamus]

Re: James' deck, fireplace and 36inch oven

thanks, I did get my stuff from FFR, I just thought you might have found something closer to home. (I'm on the central coast)

It seems strange with all the steelworks in Newcastle, that there are no refractory business still there... even though BHP is gone.. there are still loads of steel/metal mills.

[Johnny the oven man]

Re: James' deck, fireplace and 36inch oven

Still got Shinigawa and Calderys aroung the 'gong. Bigger players that dont show much interest in looking after our WFO requirements.

[bimbo]

Re: James' deck, fireplace and 36inch oven

I got all my bricks, blanket and vermiculite through Field Furnace Refractories in Wetherill Park Sydney

[bimbo]

Re: James' deck, fireplace and 36inch oven

I am a bit excited - I close the dome off today

I have tomorrow off work and the plan is to do all the vent/arch area and then I am on holidays for a week which is perfect curing time. get back and start heating this badboy up ready for birthday pizzas on the 24th July.


It is a bit of a tight squeeze between the roof and the top of the oven.

Nice and round. I had a bit of a dip in the first row which went over the top of the arch but I added 3 small wedges of bricks under the next ring which brought it back into round



Cheers
James

[bimbo]

Re: James' deck, fireplace and 36inch oven

and a few pics of the completed dome

[Mitchamus]

Re: James' deck, fireplace and 36inch oven

Nice job James,
have you started your drying fires yet?

Mitch.