new build in werribee

[oasiscdm]

Re: new build in werribee

Are you setting the floor on wet sand/fireclay over your calsil?

Hi Dennis the floor is layed on 6 mm sand/fireclay decided it didn't need to be wet [so a dry mix] and was easier to lay the tiles due to the tiles being used and the horror stories I had read on calsil absorption rate and since discovered.

I am mortaring the outside course in to bring the height to the same level as the Hearth, hence the comments about the calsil and it being a sponge.

Gudday
Smear the insulation with table margarine it will work long enough to keep the fireclay/water workable
Regards dave

Arrrh it was you Dave, that mentioned that in previous posts, I just couldn't find it, thx. Will try it today 'any brand in particular' just like greasing a cake tin before putting the mix in.

Two observations.

Your front arch profile is not square across the top from front to back leaf it will reflect in the laid bricks, unless this is of course how you want it.

Why are you soaking the bricks?

Thx Allan I have noticed that and will adjust it today. In the interim I have been using cardboard to level it whilst I check everything.

As for the soaking of bricks.... if they are not soaked the calsil and firebrick was simply sucking ALL moisture from the mix, instantly, making it completely unworkable. I mean completely unworkable. The calsil [the fire bricks had been soaked] acted like a bloody sponge. That's why I threw a scrap piece into water it was completely saturated in less than, 5-10 seconds.

Also I am NOT a bricklayer with 30 years experience and I need a little more time to get it all aligned. Especially when moisture is sponged out in less than 3 seconds no matter how wet the mix was.

This explains it in more detail

http://www.lmcc.com/concrete_news/03...d_strength.asp

David [and Wayne] as usual all information ready at hand, thankyou I have actually read that link in my research, and it made for interesting reading.



Thanks guys all comments they are really appreciated.

[brickie in oz]

Re: new build in werribee

Maybe you would introduce less water into the oven if you soaked the Cal Sil rather than the bricks?

[david s]

Re: new build in werribee

Hi David,

Are you a brickie, too?

Not by trade, although I built a house over thirty years ago and laid every block and brick. Done bits and pieces here and there ever since.

[oasiscdm]

Re: new build in werribee

Maybe you would introduce less water into the oven if you soaked the Cal Sil rather than the bricks?

That's what I am doing, and it seems to be working a little better. Brick on brick might not be as bad as brick on calsil, I just layed about 9 more on same course and still when wet, acts like a sponge but not as bad as dry.

But I can see if water got into the oven it would be a bitch to get the calsil dry, the bit I submerged, was taken out about 8pm last night and is still not dry. With it surrounded by brick hmmmmmmmm, a bit of a problem I could see.

That is part of the reason why I am leaving a small gap around the outer edge. To allow steam an unimpeded escape.

[brickie in oz]

Re: new build in werribee

Thats why I put a weep hole in mine, I know cal sil soaks up the water, but if even just a tiny bit of water escaped it would help.

[cobblerdave]

Re: new build in werribee

Gudday
I am "masonry inpaired". I'd be scared to lay a brick without soaking it. What would be scarier, would be having to mix mortar for brickie. Somehow I don't think I would come up to scratch.....
Regards dave

[brickie in oz]

Re: new build in werribee

What would be scarier, would be having to mix mortar for brickie. Somehow I don't think I would come up to scratch.....

Dont worry Dave there was plenty before you who failed.....
I actually only found 4 or 5 blokes who could get their head around it for some reason, I mean, its not rocket science is it?

Water, sand, lime, cement and plasticizer, youd be surprised the number of nufnufs who would bring out a batch with no cement in it....

[brickie in oz]

Re: new build in werribee

Not by trade, although I built a house over thirty years ago and laid every block and brick. Done bits and pieces here and there ever since.

I once made a clay pot 30 years ago and use some every day too......doesnt make me a potter......

[brickie in oz]

Re: new build in werribee

I once made a clay pot 30 years ago and use some every day too......doesnt make me a potter......

By trade......

[oasiscdm]

Re: new build in werribee

Well I got the hearth level chain layed. Fixed up my arch [thx Allan] and put up a temp cover to protect from weather.

Hey Guys, you're all helpful, knowledgeable, insightful and I appreciate everything and all comments and responses to questions when asked, constructive criticism is always welcomed if it improves my build.

I feel we need to remember that some of us are not Professional Bricklayers, Masons, Oven builders, tradies, potters or whatever. ME I was in IT as a Consultant for 30 years, now in Mental Health Counselling big deal.

We are DIY'rs, handy people, giving oven building a shot. - PLAY NICE

Again thanks to all that have and are contributing to my build.

[brickie in oz]

Re: new build in werribee

Chill Colin......

24 pages and the base of the oven has just been laid, is this a new record?

[oasiscdm]

Re: new build in werribee

Hi Allan = I am Chilled... You guys just added 2 pages over night with discussion on brick soaking . I went to bed and it was 22 I think.

Thanks for pointing out the arch. I totally missed that.... Looks much better with the bricks up.

[david s]

Re: new build in werribee

I once made a clay pot 30 years ago and use some every day too......doesnt make me a potter......

True,
But that does not alter the veracity of the information I provided.

[deejayoh]

Re: new build in werribee

Looking good Colin. Still so neat and clean... but then my mess didn't really start until I was up a few courses.

[oasiscdm]

Re: new build in werribee

Thanks Dennis

Yeap clean at the moment and i'm guessing that it will not stay that way.