Fnbrokens Corner WFO in Canberra, Australia

[JRPizza]

Not sure I will weld the door myself - would probably end up blowing too many ventilation holes in it, lol

Are you using gas or flux core? I was using gas and 0.030" solid wire, and was also worried about blowing holes so I did a series of tacks to hold the door together. Later when I figured out what I was doing I was able to do longer welds on similar gauge material without burning through.

[Gulf]

welded in - wont win any awards for being pretty, but it is strong as....

Greg,

I've seen several builds on this forum where folks welded their rebar. I'm pretty sure that it is ok for our purposes with building a wood fired oven. Ovens are small projects. However, just for the record, tying steel is the preferred method. Concrete rebar is a soft steel. Soft steel and concrete have about the same expansion rate at ambient seasonal temperatures ranges. Super heating soft steel changes those properties. I was taught to always tie steel and never thought about any other way. Bending steel was also always done cold with a rod bender. I once saw several tons of steel scrapped on a project. The contractors were lapping and tying the steel to code but, were heating and bending the steel at the corners. The engineer on the project ordered it all to be scrapped.

[fnbroken]

I needed to get it out for a couple other jobs, so made sense to line them all up at the same time. Once i put pergola posts off the top of the slabs i wanted to be sure there would be no movement - better safe than sorry (and probably over-engineered to the max!!). Once i get some of the timber formwork in I will probably weld some more steel in to be sure.

Not sure I will weld the door myself - would probably end up blowing too many ventilation holes in it, lol

[JRPizza]

I was going to weld mine but the neighbor was helping me with my slab came over and wire tied it up in the time it would have taken me to set up my welder
That mig will come in handy when you build your door!

[fnbroken]

welded in - wont win any awards for being pretty, but it is strong as....

[fnbroken]

Hi David, Thanks for checking! I [fortunately] don't have any neighbors over the back - its a grass reserve then a main road through the suburb. I also don't have an easement along there either, so i'm pretty safe.

To be sure no one notices over the 1.9m high fence, I also have a hedge of pittosporums growing on the other side of the fence to keep nosey eyes out - at the rate im going they will be fully grown by the time the oven is ready to go. The fence height is also a bit deceiving as well as my yard has been built up by about 400mm on my side - so there is quite a drop on the other side.

I cut and placed the rebar/mesh today. Will weld it in tomorrow....

[david s]

I've only just picked up on your thread. Have you been to your local council about your build? Our council require anything to be built 1.5 m inside any boundary fence. You wouldn't want a complaining neighbour to force you to move it all once it's built.

[fnbroken]

A little more progress....finished the block work and cut the condeck for the slab support. Will cut and weld in the rebar and mesh during the week and then build the formwork for the door arches on the weekend...

Gotta love spring weather to get out and do something fun!

[fnbroken]

Cool...will do. High temp sealant is on my list for the flu and oven door as well.

[UtahBeehiver]

Just make sure, if ceramic fiber rope, you should seal the rope so fibers will not get to the cooking or food surfaces.

[fnbroken]

Thanks Steady - never ceases to amaze me what things B sells..... Will need to check its temp rating is all - I plan to use it as a heat break between oven and front chamber...

[Steady]

Regarding thermal rope - do you mean the same stuff that is used as a door seal on a wood heater?

If yes, I noticed various diameters for sale in Bunning's the other day

[fnbroken]

Hi Jay,

One word....slow . If anyone in Canberra wants to help mix a few meters of concrete for the slabs in a couple weekends time - feel free to sing out. Beer and pizzas after!

I've managed to finish the besser blocks for the kitchen and cut the condeck to length and laid it out ready. I'm waiting on a special order sink from Bunnings as I will need to leave a hole to suit in the concrete benchtop.

Rebar / mesh and formwork for the slabs are next...

Will be getting the bulk of my supplies from either Sydney Fire Bricks or Field Furnace. Have yet to find a supplier for thermal rope, glue and a stainless steel flu components.

Cheers
Greg

[terratree]

Just wondering how the progress is on this Greg ? I'm up to a similar stage as your last post, and am following this closely.

Doing the same build as this in the NT (I've had my firebricks, flue, and vermiculite for about 7 years).

Keen to learn where your sourcing your products from too.

Cheers

Jay

[fnbroken]

A bit more progress this week... top row of blocks cut ready for the top slab. Also started the outdoor kitchen bench which will have the BBQ, prep area and sink...

Next is cut to formwork for the arch pour, support slab and top edges.

Progress is slow, but will get there eventually!