Making my own tools

[Chaz Aus]

Re: Making my own tools

Thanks David

I think tools that look like they are being used look better anyway. Adds to the character of the whole WFO thing. I am more trying to ensure the timber is protected from moisture damage and general weather impact as I was thinking of storing them alongside the oven and at the moment the oven is not sheltered from the weather (next task!).

I guess I can try one of the tools and see if it ignites!! That will be fun!!

[david s]

Re: Making my own tools

A post/query back in line with actual thread topic.

Does anyone know what type of oil/treatment can be used on the wooden handles to protect them but also make sure there not flammable.

I have used linseed oil but I have just read on Internet articles that this oil is quite flammable. So before I use the new tools I better make sure that the tools wont catch alight! I can sand it all back if it is going to be an issue.

Cheers

I use an exterior varnish, but the handle near the tool head gets pretty cooked. Don't expect them to keep looking new for too long. Pretty easy to resand and redcoat though.

[Chaz Aus]

Re: Making my own tools

A post/query back in line with actual thread topic.

Does anyone know what type of oil/treatment can be used on the wooden handles to protect them but also make sure there not flammable.

I have used linseed oil but I have just read on Internet articles that this oil is quite flammable. So before I use the new tools I better make sure that the tools wont catch alight! I can sand it all back if it is going to be an issue.

Cheers

[Laurentius]

Re: Making my own tools

Hi David,

We 've both been here for sometime. We have agreed and disagreed on issues, and at no time have my opinions been aimed to disrespect you or anyone else as a person. Some here, find that being PC, is the new norm, and others are "Old School", call them as they see them, and if we're wrong, its easy to say,"I'm sorry I made a mistake.

[Gulf]

Re: Making my own tools

David,

Man up and admit that you're blowing smoke. How many of us would knowingly slide a metal peel along the full length of that hot oven floor, to the point where we want to place our pizza, and if we did, we would only do it once. The pizza would not release from the peel, been there, done that! If the heat loss was major and I could still get my 90sec pizza, to me it would be an inconsequential loss. The majority of us are more that happy with a 3 minute pizza, so the heat loss from the peel is good enough for government work, don't you think?

Sorry for this intrusion on this thread .


I'm not a moderator...........by no means. I'm not commenting on the "right or wrong" answers to "newbie" questions. I would just like to make a statement about respect.

I don't know all the answers. I don't think anyone does. But, as a forum I think that we can find the solution. I think that we should be able to ask a question or give our "best practice" answer with wondering if a sniper is going to take our friggin' head off .

My point is: If you think that you have a better answer, Just say "well, this is how the hll I do it. That would be more respectful than many of the posts that I've seen lately .

[david s]

Re: Making my own tools

I did not say the heat loss would be major. I said it would not be inconsequential. When under the pump and turning out 30 pizzas in an hour, one at a time, I need to preserve all the heat I can.more so because my oven is very small. My peel gets quite hot every time I put it in.Once to turn the pizza after around a minute then in again to remove it a minute later. Heat is attracted to more thermally conductive materials, whether in contact with the floor or not. Aluminium way more conductive than stainless too.
This is an interesting physics problem worthy of discussion, and perhaps some measurement, but as you have chosen to be argumentative and abusive I don't feel inclined to offer any more.

[Laurentius]

Re: Making my own tools

The head of a metal peel probably weighs more than the pizza. Given that a pizza cools off your oven floor, a conductive metal pizza peel shoved into the oven gets hot very quickly then cools off again quickly while it's out. The loss of heat therefore is not inconsequential.

David,

Man up and admit that you're blowing smoke. How many of us would knowingly slide a metal peel along the full length of that hot oven floor, to the point where we want to place our pizza, and if we did, we would only do it once. The pizza would not release from the peel, been there, done that! If the heat loss was major and I could still get my 90sec pizza, to me it would be an inconsequential loss. The majority of us are more that happy with a 3 minute pizza, so the heat loss from the peel is good enough for government work, don't you think?

[david s]

Re: Making my own tools

The head of a metal peel probably weighs more than the pizza. Given that a pizza cools off your oven floor, a conductive metal pizza peel shoved into the oven gets hot very quickly then cools off again quickly while it's out. The loss of heat therefore is not inconsequential.

[Laurentius]

Re: Making my own tools

Yes, 1.5 should be good. I started with 0.9 mm but found it a bit too floppy. I now use 1.2 mm. You don't want it too thick because you are just pulling heat out of the oven every time you put it in and out.

David,

That is one hyper-sensitive oven you have there, if a few seconds of peel contact is "just pulling heat out of the oven every time you put it in and out." Just imagine what that circulating air is doing? Get real, my friend, stop scaring the newbies, and stop BSing the rest of us.

[stonecutter]

Re: Making my own tools

Hi Neill

i haven't used the brush yet but will let you know how it goes. i found it at Bunnings in the section where they have cement materials. i thought that it might be able to deal with the heat better - time will tell.

It is most likely a natural fiber brush if you got it in the masonry side of the store. Horse hair bushes are common...I have heard of goat hair and a material made from plants.


Great job on the oven tools.

[Greenman]

Re: Making my own tools

Hi Neill

i haven't used the brush yet but will let you know how it goes. i found it at Bunnings in the section where they have cement materials. i thought that it might be able to deal with the heat better - time will tell.

I too used one of these brushes. It has been going for about 2 months and is still fine. I am sure it would burn well without some care but kept out of the coals and flame it seems ok. I mounted a block fitted with a handle on the back of the brush and it will be simple to replace the head.

Your tool kit looks impressive. Much can be done with some basic material and a little care and enthusiasm. As your result proves.

[david s]

Re: Making my own tools

Hi David

Most of the S/S thickness offcuts had 1.5mm written on them. There was a 2.5mm piece which I initially cut for the square peel but it was too heavy and no way that I could bend it ( as I bent everything by hand with a little bit of assistance from a rubber mallet!). Maybe if I was built like Arnie!

The 1.5mm seems to be pretty strong and ok for weight.

Yes, 1.5 should be good. I started with 0.9 mm but found it a bit too floppy. I now use 1.2 mm. You don't want it too thick because you are just pulling heat out of the oven every time you put it in and out.

[Chaz Aus]

Re: Making my own tools

Hi Neill

i haven't used the brush yet but will let you know how it goes. i found it at Bunnings in the section where they have cement materials. i thought that it might be able to deal with the heat better - time will tell. i am also looking for a metal brush as well but haven't been successful with this yet. the brush will be held with a couple of wing nuts so its easier to change over as i have assumed they will have a limited life span.

re the s/s. i was looking at their full sheets and noticed a box full of offcuts. it was a mix of s/s and aluminium so you had to make sure you picked the right ones. most of them were labelled. i pretty much took all the s/s ofcuts that appeared to be about the size i wanted. sorry if anyone came looking for some after me!!

cheers

Chaz

[nissanneill]

Re: Making my own tools

Hi Chas,
as a fellow Adelaidian, I am interested in your brush.
I found several natural fibre bannister brushes for the sweeping of the hearth floor but they only last for around a dozen sweepings before they are gone. No they are not synthetic, nylon or similar but my hearths are over 500˚C when I start cooking pizzas and the fibres start to burn. I am often putting out the burning ones before they disappear.
How is your broom standing up to the task, what type is it and where did you find it?

Basically some stainless steel offcuts from Paramount Browns

Paramount Browns used to be great for those special offcut purchases, but since they have cleaned out their factory, I have't seen their stainless selection, only their aluminium stocks.
I use a stainless steel fabricator in Edwardstown, Chapman Fabrications for all my stainless requirements, it's amazing what scraps you buy with folding!
They are not only great with pricing but also very abliging with services.

Cheers.

Neill

[Chaz Aus]

Re: Making my own tools

Thanks Russell

Well you wouldn't be copying from me as a copied from others on the site!

Yes they do look like weapons. One of my sons thought i was making a spear when he saw the pointy tool. Also showed some people a work and they initially thought I made some surgery tools!

I have most probably gone overboard and may not use all the tools regularly but I guess I it's there just in case! It's like the whole WFO thing. Once you start it gets a bit addictive!