Tony's Florida 42" Round Forno

[dmun]

Re: Tony's Florida 42" Round Forno

I'm glad to hear the perlite is working out well, gives me more assurance. I'm probably going to go that route, seeing that some of the S. Florida forum builders are having difficulty locating vermiculte.

Perlite works fine, it's what I used. Being white, you get a better sense of when you have fully mixed the portland and the aggregate.

[tony boca]

Re: Tony's Florida 42" Round Forno

dmun,

I had no idea, thanks for the heads-up.

Today, I dry stacked the stand blocks a couple of different ways. I want to create some opening in the stand so that when one looks at it, their vision continues to the background on the other side.

I placed some openings at different levels. In the first 2 images, I simply removed an 8x8x8 block and used full blocks for the 4th course.

In the second pair of images, I placed the 8x8x8 on its side to create the openings and used troughed out full blocks for the 4th course and would place a ring of rebar in it to tie all the blocks together.

I like the openings in the first pair because they are much larger this way but I'm concerned about the supporting strength in the wall. It doesn't appear as sturdy as the last set of images.

Any suggestions? Anybody?

[Lars]

Re: Tony's Florida 42" Round Forno

Hi Tony,

I did a rounded fire pit opposite my oven and used the half blocks for that. Looking at your different stacking ideas, if it were me, I would go with the blocks turned on their side to allow the 'see thru' effect, BUT make sure that you have about every 3rd hole ( at least... or every 2nd) lined up so you could fill for strong vertical column ( those blocks may not be all that well cured so as to be reasonably safe for an unconventional set up.)

That being said, if you DO stack them that way, I would also fill the gaps with mortar and then do a mortar skim coat over the entire outer face. The accumulation of weight with this oven, chimney, dome, face brick, flue, is a substantial amount -- and concrete works GREAT in compression... but blocks improperly stacked will need lots of mortar to get my ( and this is only my one opinion...you know, just a single vote...) confidence.


As usual, just my 2 cents worth.

Lars.

ps. I found Vermiculite in the Menard's insulation area... Bought 4 bags at $9.95/(3 cu.ft) each. I am on my 3rd 94# bag of portland... and 90 lbs. of fireclay.

[tony boca]

Re: Tony's Florida 42" Round Forno

Lars,
Thanks for the input. It's been so hot here with afternoon thunderstorms, that I've put everything on hold. Then I started thinking (that's always dangerous), I've decided to change my stand design. After communicating with some people, I think i may go with a stand similar to neil's. It would incorporate 4 sonotubes.

I'll keep everyone posted, If my plans don't change again.

[tony boca]

Re: Tony's Florida 42" Round Forno

After some encouragement from Neil and Ratsy, I decided to go with sonotubes for my stand.
I dismantled all my blocks. Measured from the center of my foundation to the edge which was 40" and took 60% of this radius which equals 24". This is the location and center of my 8" sonotubes. Drilled 3 holes(leaving 2" of space between the sonotube walls) 3" down with a 3/4" bit into my foundation. Filled it in with anchorage epoxy from Home depot and placed 5' of 1/2" rebar into each hole.

The sonotubes were cut to 32".

The sonotubes were purchased from Lowes b/c they had a wax covering inside (unlike home depots which didn't) this will allow it to peel off easier, hopefully.

I'm going to use my blocks to stabilize the sonotubes while they are filled tomorrow and to keep the location of the sonotubes so i don't keep them outside over night.

Prior to putting the rebar in, i placed (2) 4'x8' 3/4" plywood over the entire area and marked the outer edge of the sonotubes underneath it to show where i have to cut the opening for the sonotubes in the hearth. 2 sonotube holes per plywood. I'll show a picture when i get to the hearth pouring.

Any heads up or suggetions?

[tony boca]

Re: Tony's Florida 42" Round Forno

Question. Are there different types of perlite? (i.e. agricultural, masonry, silicon covered)

[RTflorida]

Re: Tony's Florida 42" Round Forno

hey Tony,
Stick with the agricultural grade perlite. The silicone covered does not mix well with portland (the portland won't bond with it). Masonry perlite insulation may or may not be covered with silicone, (depends on the manufacturer). Be sure to read the bag before buying.

RT

[tony boca]

Re: Tony's Florida 42" Round Forno

Thanks RT,

I knew there were different types of vermeculite but wasn't sure about perlite.

[larrya1049]

Re: Tony's Florida 42" Round Forno

I used the masonry perlite and had no problems with bonding. Tony hows the build going? I just completed the second course and the front dome arch.

Regards
Larry

[tony boca]

Re: Tony's Florida 42" Round Forno

Hey larry!

Glad to hear from you.

I've been away for the past month so I'm really behind. I was at my uncles house in Italy. He has a forno and we made so many delicious pizzas. It got me sooooo motivated to get this oven completed.

I just poured the hearth on Tuesday and looking to do the insulation layer this weekend (Hurr. BIll permitting). You're coming along very well. I wish I was at your stage. You can almost see the end of the tunnel (Dome).

I'm going to look for your pic's.

By the way what angle did you end up cutting your soldiers?

[larrya1049]

Re: Tony's Florida 42" Round Forno

I finally ended up cutting them at 24 Deg. Italy wow! We have been hoping to get back there for the past 25 years. I hope that you will be posting some pictures of your zio's forno.

Larry

[tony boca]

Re: Tony's Florida 42" Round Forno

Here are some pictures of my Zio's forno in Italy. A photo of my wife prepping the pizza. I always blink when having photos taken so my aunt is holding my eyes open.

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[brokencookie]

Re: Tony's Florida 42" Round Forno

Wow, How long is that peel Tony ? It certainly looks long enough to keep the arm hairs intact.

[tony boca]

Re: Tony's Florida 42" Round Forno

Here is a nice photo of the vent and mountain background.

[tony boca]

Re: Tony's Florida 42" Round Forno

Hi B.C.

Now that I look at that photo, that handle does look pretty long?????