Tony's Florida 42" Round Forno

[tony boca]

Well, through all the great efforts of the forum I have begun to break ground. It's assuring to know, there's a wonderful group of knowledged people out there ready to lend a word.

Cheers!
Tony

[mfiore]

Re: Tony's Florida 42" Round Forno

Good luck! We look forward to your build!

[pzachef]

Re: Tony's Florida 42" Round Forno

Tony,

Sounds like your off and running. I still didn't get my brick samples yet. How far ahead are you planned or are you concentrating on foundation and stand for now.

Bob

[tony boca]

Re: Tony's Florida 42" Round Forno

Thanks Mike!
Bob,
I hope to pour the foundation this weekend. As far as planning, I'm concentrating on the foundation and stand. I'm thinking of a round stand with the final appearance of old school brick meets South Beach Art Deco (I.W.A.= If Wife Approved).
Let me know about the sample bricks. Like to see if I can incorporate them into the oven.
I bought a mini cement mixer for $110 at Harbor Freight, it's on sale. I read in a post it worked Just fine for what we need. They also have a huge side walk sale this weekend, if you need anything.

[pzachef]

Re: Tony's Florida 42" Round Forno

Tony,
Glad to hear one of us is starting. I just got the bricks this afternoon at my office here in Delray. I'll post photo's this weekend. I'll be in touch. They sent me 2 of each type.

#1 Wedge
#1 Arch
#2 Arch

I will precision measure before I post.

[Bandrasco]

Re: Tony's Florida 42" Round Forno

GO FLORIDA WFO BUILDERS!!!!!

Sorry, got carried away. I'm getting ready for 'GO GATORS!!!'

It sounds like you're off to a good start Tony. Be sure to post a lot of pictures. You're in good hands in this forum; I can't imagine having to build one of these without the help that everyone provides.

[larrya1049]

Re: Tony's Florida 42" Round Forno

Hi Tony
Glad to hear you took the plunge. If you need any info on local suppliers just let me know. Buona fortuna!

[pzachef]

Re: Tony's Florida 42" Round Forno

Tony, I've been busy and haven't had a chance to sketch the arch brick dimensions yet. I will as soon as I can. Hope your base and stand are going well.

Bob

[tony boca]

Re: Tony's Florida 42" Round Forno

Does anyone know if it is necessary to place plastic over the pea gravel here in South Florida, prior to pouring the cement foundation? With our humidity, I don"t see how it would be necessary. Also, wouldn't it be better having the cement bind to the gravel vs plastic? I see alot of construction down here and nobody seems to use plastic.

[tony boca]

Re: Tony's Florida 42" Round Forno

Well, it's the morning after my foundation pour. But, more importantly, it's Father's Day and my wife and children are baking my favorite Napolitan cake.

After a week of lugging 80lb bags of Quikrete, 5 at a time in the back of the car, I did it. I placed 10 bags of pea gravel from Lowes, 10 bags of sifted recycled concrete from the Bushel Stop on top of it, I did place the plastic, Bent the rebar and tied in the metal fence. It took 3 people and about 3 hours to pour 38 bags of cement using Harbor Freight's mini mixer (GREAT MACHINE!)

Overall, It felt great at the end of the day to stare at a glimmering 80" diameter giant quarter (with my wife, children and parents handprints).

Cost for 80" round foundation:
cement mixer............................................. .............................$109.99
5.2mm 4x8 plywood for the form.............................................. ....$16.58
(3)1x2x8 furring strip cut to 18"long stakes to hold form.(1.96ea)........$5.88
(3)2x2x8 furring strip cut 18"long stakes to also hold form(1.57ea)......$4.71
4 rebar 3/8"x10' (4.49ea) .................................................. ........ $18.96
4 rebar 1/2" for verticals (3.13ea).......................................... ......$12.51
10 bags pea gravel (3.00ea).......................................... ..............$30.00
10 bags sifted concrete gravel............................................ .........$34.00
38 bags of 80lb Quikrete cement mix...........................................$139 .00

Total $371.64

Gotta go. My cake is ready! Enjoy this day.

[larrya1049]

Re: Tony's Florida 42" Round Forno

Hi Tony
I tip my hat to you! It was well in to the 90's this weekend. I know when I was working out in the garden this weekend I was drenched in sweat just walking out the door. The round slab looks good and thanks for posting the costs.
Regards
Larry

[tony boca]

Re: Tony's Florida 42" Round Forno

Larry,

It was hot, even today, I didn't go near the slab until after 6:00 pm. I removed the forms but then read you should wait 3 days. Oops! I hope it stays round.

Larry were did you get your perlite and why did you decide to use that vs vermeculite?

[larrya1049]

Re: Tony's Florida 42" Round Forno

Hi Tony

Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. I got the perlite from Osprey Building Materials 1200 W Industrial Ave, Boynton Beach, FL - (561) 733-4914. Get the Tile & plaster aggregate it was $11.00 per 4 cu ft bag. The reason I didn't use vermiculite was that I couldn't find any locally and the perlite was so cheap. In retrospect I liked the way that the perlite mixed with the Portland and was very happy with the results

[SteveP]

Re: Tony's Florida 42" Round Forno

It's good to see another south FL WFO build. I finished my build around December of last year and use it almost every weekend. As for the insulation, I used perlite on mine as I couldn't find any vermiculite. It has worked extremely well. Good luck. I look forward to your pics.

[tony boca]

Re: Tony's Florida 42" Round Forno

SteveP,

Nice oven oven! I like the way you married the different colors and materials. I think it was the correct decision to go with a stone base vs painting it grey. It reinforces the appearance of a strong base.

The other correct decsion you made was to start the project when it was getting cooler outside, not in the summer. With this heat, I could probably bake without a fire! I'm going to try to do some work on the stand today, weather permitting.

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. If you don't mind, where did you get your insulation board and blanket?