Tom's 42' Pompeii, Penn Valley, Ca.

[trockyh]

Re: Tom's 42' Pompeii, Penn Valley, Ca.

Picture of ash bucket? I have most of what I need, but a straight handled shovel seems to be what I need now.

[Les]

Re: Tom's 42' Pompeii, Penn Valley, Ca.

Now, where did you get the poor man's tool set and the "gun rack"?

The rack is just aluminum channel from HD. The shovel and rake are a modified poper scooper from Pet Smart, the rest I made out of aluminum. The handles are EMT pipe. In hind sight, I would have made the rake since I don't use the shovel at all after I made the ash bucket.

Les...

[trockyh]

Re: Tom's 42' Pompeii, Penn Valley, Ca.

Thanks Les, I went to look at your pictures again. I had looked at them before, but it's funny how much more you appreciate someones workmanship after going through the process. Your dome is perfectly shaped and that is what we are striving for. I like your idea of using mortar to shape the wire, then the acrylic.
Now, where did you get the poor man's tool set and the "gun rack"?
Sorry we didn't get a chance to meet at the expo. Dusty said you were there on Sat. but it was quite busy.

Thanks for your help,
Tom

[Les]

Re: Tom's 42' Pompeii, Penn Valley, Ca.

Tom,

I ended up putting chicken wire over the blanket (there is a layer of vermiculite/portland between the two). I shaped that with about an inch of mortar. After it dried, I did one solid coat of the Dryvit (acrylic) and added a little more to get a better shape.

Les...

[trockyh]

Re: Tom's 42' Pompeii, Penn Valley, Ca.

Les,
From what I've read on the forum, an acrylic stucco seems to be the best option. I have not yet been to the store to see what they have. You mentioned in a post I read that was what you did. Can it be put oven the mesh and how many coats?

Tom

[Les]

Re: Tom's 42' Pompeii, Penn Valley, Ca.

Tom,

The stucco will pretty much develop a shell around the blanket. Are you going with a straight mortar or something with an acrylic backer?

Les...

[trockyh]

Re: Tom's 42' Pompeii, Penn Valley, Ca.

Been quite some time since I've posted on this thread. Today I mortared the flue and finished the insulation. Three layers of FB blanket and one inch wire mesh over that.
Question, how do you attach of anchor the wire mesh so you can apply stucco?
Will the weight of the stucco hold it down?

Thanks everyone for the help on this forum.
Tom

Tried to attach a photo, but it doesn't want to work at the moment.

[trockyh]

Re: Tom's 42' Pompeii, Penn Valley, Ca.

Dusty and Eric, thank you for the kind words. I was out of work most of November and December, so I was able to make good time between rain storms. One week it rained for 6 or so days straight and I couldn't stand it and worked in the rain with an umbrella. Great project, but now my wife is wanting to start on the rest of the outdoor kitchen already. My work is never done.

Dusty, sent you a PM

Tom

[eprante]

Re: Tom's 42' Pompeii, Penn Valley, Ca.

Very nice work on the dome and opening Tom. I am going to start my dome next week. You made excellent time on this project.
Eric

[dusty]

Re: Tom's 42' Pompeii, Penn Valley, Ca.

Tom,

Congrads! Looks beautiful. And pretty quick work too.

You vent opening is perferct. I did mine very simialar and the draw is excelent. From my vent opening, I used a peice of chimney liner to transition to a eight inch (I.D.) piece of double-wall stove pipe. Stainless on the inside, galvanized on the outside. If you are interested in doing it like that, I have an extra piece of stove pipe. I salvaged three, used one for my oven, and gave one away already. You can have it if you want to use it. Like I said, it works great. I only had to buy a spark arrester (top thing), but that was about $85!


Again...Congrads!

dusty

[DaveW]

Re: Tom's 42' Pompeii, Penn Valley, Ca.

Awesome Tom,
That front opening should draw really well. Ours is only a brick wide and the smoke has trouble making the bend. With your first curing fires your beautiful dome brickwork will be covered in black soot. But, when you later get it really hot and those bricks reveal themselves again....priceless.

Dave

[trockyh]

Re: Tom's 42' Pompeii, Penn Valley, Ca.

Hey Dino, it is great to be this far. When I look at the pictures of all the bricks inside the dome it blows my mind that I did all that. Lots of brick cuts and mortar. I finished the outer arch today when I got home from work and started on the vent. Not sure how I will finish it so need to look at pictures of what has been done. I know I am suppose to plan, but it is easier for me to shoot from the hip. I'm very hands on and visual (3D visual).
Here are pictures of the arch without the form. I am please with it. Probably the best part of the oven. It is what we will see all the time.

Best regards,
Tom

[Dino_Pizza]

Re: Tom's 42' Pompeii, Penn Valley, Ca.

Congratulations Tom !!!

Your closed up dome looks super. I luv the shot from the inside and star shape your final ring/cap make. And you really moved quick on your outer arch. Looks nice. The keystone shape is great. Can't wait to see it without the supports.

Just a few more brick cuts for the vent transition and you'll be done. Isn't great to be talking about curing? You'll be cooking soon.

Regards, Dino

[trockyh]

Re: Tom's 42' Pompeii, Penn Valley, Ca.

Finished the dome and the front arch. Rain is to start tomorrow and don't know when it will stop, but just have the vent area to finish. Plan to start curing next weekend.
The front arch turned out really well.
Getting close to cooking.

Tom

[trockyh]

Re: Tom's 42' Pompeii, Penn Valley, Ca.

Funny you mentioning the last bricks being tight. I cut them and slapped mortar on them as fast as I could and didn't really set them until I put the last one in. I fit is really tight and then adjusted the other bricks.
Apollo is my buddy, best dog I've had. Two years ago the vet took his eye out and found a tumor behind it. We've had an extra two great years with him and as you can see the tumor is growing. Most days he does great, but he sleeps a lot now. He will be 9 this June which is the upper end for Boxers.

Tom