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Post by spider44 on Jul 21, 2015 15:36:09 GMT
I'm going to try laying straight onto a bed of sharp sand on the basis it's simple and reversible if it does not work. It will allow the hearth firebricks to expand and contract if needed too as well as the advantages you have suggested.
Many thanks
Patrick
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Post by spider44 on Jul 21, 2015 15:40:41 GMT
"I think it was Cobbler Dave who recommended separating the dome from the entrance arch with an expansion gap. I think you can see what I did in the end in my photos (Phil1)."
. I have rejigged the layout to include an expansion gap. I appreciated the hint and after experimenting it was quite simple to choose a place to insert a gap. I'm having "fun" trying to decide how to lay the hearth bricks and have come round to placing them on dry sharp sand. i'll post some pics of the new layout once I master the art of laying the hearth!
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Post by spider44 on Aug 5, 2015 20:07:22 GMT
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bento
valid member
Posts: 88
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Post by bento on Aug 5, 2015 21:13:09 GMT
Hi spider44, build looking good! what size and exact type of bricks did you use for a)floor and b)dome, and how many did you order for your size build - is it looking like you over/under ordered?
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Post by spider44 on Aug 5, 2015 22:05:52 GMT
It was 200 FIREBRICK SQS 40-42% ALUMINA 230x114x76mm (9x4.5x3”) - from Kiln linings and I used the same for the floor and the hearth. It looks like I'll be about right but I have tried to be careful with the cuts for the floor so some bricks were cut into several pieces to make the ring shape. I ordered a dozen 1" thick to help with closing the dome which Trevor suggested but I wont be at that stage for a few more days. I'm not tapering the bricks except where I have to for example at the arch dome transition or occasionally to avoid perpendicular joins between bricks. I really like the simplicity of using the full half bricks utilising the home brew to fill in the gaps. The diameter inside the dome is about 42" and I'm aiming for a dome height of about 18" which is somewhere between the Tuscan and Napoli versions. It means I have to gradually shorten the I.T length which was fun when working out the arch bricks! I went for an arch opening and following advice from here I'm creating a small gap between the opening and the vent arch to help insulate the oven and retain heat for 2nd / 3rd day baking. Feel free to ask for any more details. I would have liked to post more description on the photos but hopefully they show the general approach.
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Post by spider44 on Aug 12, 2015 23:37:15 GMT
The oven has taken on a life of its own and decided to evolve into a spiral shape despite the use of the IT. I think it was partly due to the the dome arch transition that seemed to work well but may have thrown me off my line as I was concentrating on getting that right. This in turn led to some interesting challenges trying to complete the dome! I used a sand form supported on paving slabs when my bricks started to fall off! I filled in with home brew all the gaps and put a 1/2 - 1" layer on top and then waited 36 hours before removing the support. Finally I crawled in and pointed up all the gaps trying to ensure I squeezed the home brew right inside and cleaned it up as I went along. The arch is not very high and I'm quite wide so it was a tight squeeze. I've not come across a spiral build before and I think the key stones are fairly unique but I'm happy to have completed this stage and will be aiming to start drying the oven on Friday. Whilst i'm doing that I'll build the landing and chimney vent. I think I'll leave the insulation until its really well dried out.
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Post by spider44 on Aug 12, 2015 23:42:58 GMT
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Post by cannyfradock on Aug 13, 2015 18:18:21 GMT
Spider
I love the way you have enclosed your dome. Those who have the time can cut trapazoid bricks.....tapered on all four sides to make a perfect internal asymmetric pattern with 1 or a few "cap stones" will have the perfect picture of the internal dome...and I truly commend those people who have the time to do this, but...and it's a big but, those people like myself who enclose the dome without cutting trapazoid fashioned cuts will use 3" halves then 2" halves, then 1" halves......then quarters and will achieve a structurally perfect dome regardless.
I can see that you have created a perfect interlocking dome structure. (you could build a 10 story block of flats on your dome and your dome would never fail. The internal voids between your bricks will however need to be be filled....this bit is always a bit of a pain in the arse as you need to crawl in the dome on your back (with goggles and a lamp) and fill in all the voids. Use a wet sponge technique (just like finishing off a tiled wall) to wet sponge off the internal surface.
Love your build spider.....
terry
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Post by spider44 on Aug 13, 2015 18:34:10 GMT
Thanks Terry,
I'm glad I completed it this way and I have filled in all the voids as you mention. It was very peaceful inside the dome like being in a diving bell. The only problem was that I couldn't drink my tea! Some of the concrete had set too hard to scape off and i think I'll just leave it as I dont think it will affect the function.
Looking forward to starting the first fire.
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Post by oblertone on Aug 14, 2015 13:31:43 GMT
Great to see another dome complete, well done !
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Post by spider44 on Aug 16, 2015 22:01:48 GMT
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Post by spider44 on Aug 18, 2015 16:24:45 GMT
Laid a row of reclaimed bricks around the oven and filled in the gap with Vermicrete 8:1 mix with Portland cement. Meanwhile have been firing the oven up to help dry it out. The homebrew is now getting warm after a fire but it takes an hour or two with a small fire. Rain has stopped play today so catching up with clearing up and looking forward to doing the entrance arch and chimney and insulating the dome. Going to render the base and use reclaimed bricks for the dome cover.
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Post by spider44 on Aug 26, 2015 21:53:03 GMT
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