Eric's WFO build

[ivancito]

Re: Eric's WFO build

Inner arch completed.
After a dismal failure on the first attempt, the second try was successful. The first time I didn't pay close attention to the size of the gaps and hadn't marked the form so when we got to the top there was only room for a 3/4" keystone. The addition of the radial arm ( my father in laws idea) to keep everything lined up as we went and it went together easy-breezy. That feels good!!
Eric

HELLO ERIC
GREAT JOB ON THE ARCH, I JUST STARTED MY WFO AND I WAS WONDERING WHAT FUNCTION DOES THE RADIAL ARM DO IN YOUR ARCH TEMPLATE, HOW IS IT USED?
THANKS
IVAN

[John K]

Re: Eric's WFO build

Very nice Eric!!

The tile colours just draw you in,

It is going to be one heck of an entertainment area!

cheers

[eprante]

Re: Eric's WFO build

Thanks for the compliments. I got the tile from Arizona Tile, its a cobalt blue porcelain. The edge is just bull nose, I priced the V cap edges but it would have doubled the price of the project. I am sealing the grout with silicone grout sealer. One thing that I didn't think of and someone told me after it was done: for outdoor tile counter tops, build in a small amount of slope so rain will not pool.A very small slope should be adequate. It shouldn't be a big problem in San Diego, but definitely something to consider in Seattle. Also I used Hardie backer over 3/4" marine plywood for the counter, in Seattle you might be better off with a mortar bed for the under the tile.
Thanks for the kind words, good luck. By the way the party looked like a great time Todd.

Eric

[tfasz]

Re: Eric's WFO build

Eric - +1 on the countertops. You have me thinking about tile now. I've been vacillating between stone, tile, and home-made concrete counter tops. Since I already have the concrete sides, tiles would probably be the cheapest and quickest.

Where did you get your tiles from? Specifically the edge tiles with rounded sides seem like it might be hard to find at Home Depot/Lowes. Did you so anything special in terms of sealing the grout to protect it from the weather?

Nice work and good luck wrapping up the rest of the project.

[Millstone Man]

Re: Eric's WFO build

Great job on the counters. Really like the look and layout.

[eprante]

Re: Eric's WFO build

Thanks for the kind words Mike and Dino. Really glad I am done digging trenches for conduit and pipe.
E

[Dino_Pizza]

Re: Eric's WFO build

Looks great Eric. The tile counter is beautiful. You're doing a great job on the whole outdoor kitchen. Can't wait to see the doors on.

[mfiore]

Re: Eric's WFO build

That countertop looks great. Very nice build! A year well spent

[eprante]

Re: Eric's WFO build

Its been a few weeks since I posted any progress. Finished the counter top and sink, put in an electrical outlet( many thanks to my friend Bruce for the help with the plumbing and electrical). My father in law Dick is fabricating some cabinetry and doors for the under counter storage. I am coming up on 1 year since I started this project in a couple of weeks.

Eric

[eprante]

Re: Eric's WFO build

Ready for the tile counter and sink. Always a new skill to learn, I think that is the magic of this project. Cement work, retaining walls, footings , masonry, stucco, now tile and plumbing. I am going to be McGyver by the time I finish this project.
Greg, I don't know if you want me to teach you about bread, I am struggling lately with my bread. I think I am not quite dedicated to the timing and measurement part of it. I am going to go back to square 1 and do it just like the recipe says then see if my results are better. My bread is good but not great (my wife Cathy always compares it to Bread and Cie-the local artisan bakery, and it doesn't measure up yet- so I keep trying, and having fun doing so)
Eric

[geisen]

Re: Eric's WFO build

Eric
look great. I am already jealous of what the mosaic is going to look like. It really is my favorite of all the designs. I just don't have it in me to go that bold. When can we get together for my bread baking lesson? ;-)

[eprante]

Re: Eric's WFO build

Well I got the lower arch completed and the adobe veneer on the front. The amazing thing is that it actually looks like the picture I had in my mind ( at least it is amazing to me). Now to the prep area and mosaic of the dome.
Eric

[eprante]

Re: Eric's WFO build

I strongly recommend getting the angleizer program ( Home Depot- $20). for cutting the arch bricks it is the champ. If you are not tapering them then it probably isnt necessary.
For me once I knew that the bricks were the right size, then it was just maintaining the proper joint width, you can mark on the arch form where the joints should lie so you dont get too far away from your plan. I found it very helpful to mark the arch form. Once you let the joints get too thick then it is really hard to bring it back to where you want it.
Good luck,
Eric

[dsgreco]

Re: Eric's WFO build

Your oven looks great. I am not entirely happy with my inner arch, but I plan on using your arch tool for the outer arch. Thanks for the idea.

[eprante]

Re: Eric's WFO build

Thanks Greg, building the oven was a very satisfying experience. Keith, we had 8 people, that is how we ate 8 of them. Next weekend there will be 24 people, good thing my kids have become adept at pizza making or I wouldn't be able to enjoy the party.
Eric