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Post by johnaero on May 20, 2013 17:27:09 GMT
can see other 2 here on in blue smokes Attachments:
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Post by johnaero on May 20, 2013 17:48:07 GMT
just went out there,fire on 3-4 hours now and steam/damp now around the big crack as can see here. not an issue with rest oven just area where had rushed last 3 chains is this a show stopper? i know from past forums i can rout the little hole out and fill with mortar. but what about other cracks? Attachments:
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Post by johnaero on May 20, 2013 18:59:27 GMT
another long on popped up on the right hand side as look at the oven, seem follow line of the bricks when tap around oven can hear hollow sections and others solid. think mortar coating might have de-bonded from bricks Attachments:
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Post by johnaero on May 20, 2013 19:01:11 GMT
1st fire 4 hours in and think was way 2 big earlier. some my timber must been damp as left lot soot so going have burn that off in time Attachments:
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Post by johnaero on May 21, 2013 19:11:45 GMT
Routed cracks open until hit brick
Then filled with mortar an bridged witg ex-met an den skimmed over
Can see cracks inside dome an few joints dat wer 2 small 2 point av opened a bit so wil point em 2mrw
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Post by johnaero on May 22, 2013 7:38:46 GMT
here is the repair job. as per pete123 build i routed them and as per terrys comment int here i put some 2-4in width ex-met to help strenghten them. i forgot i had tub premixed fire cement putty should have used that instead but had mixed home brew mortar up and filled with them area smoking looks to be a joint that the mortar came out as could see soot on inner face brick when routed it out. please god all sorted now. just let this cure for few days before start over. lesson learned dont throw logs on fire then go wal as it got too big and hadnt realied i put do much fuel in as fire was tiny originally. think was my impatience to get fire going lesson learned and lets hope its only cosmetic nothing else. need burn that soot off too as when fire died down at one point it got very smoky Attachments:
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Post by johnaero on May 22, 2013 7:40:08 GMT
tother side, can see where filled cracks then totally covered it in layer mortar to help bond metal others may spot i also decided to fully enclose bbq as wind was blowing ash up and also stops people sticking hands into flames. be amazed what daft things people do when not in their own houses Attachments:
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Post by johnaero on May 22, 2013 18:04:57 GMT
Got inside today and load loose mortar fell out wen scraped it out
Re ponted then as best could and wire brushed to remove soot before filled em
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Post by cannyfradock on May 22, 2013 18:55:35 GMT
John
It's good you didn't use the pre-mix fire-cement putty for the repairs as this stuff is normally only good to use when the thickness does not exceed 5mm or so.....it simply won't dry when used too thick.
It is always difficult to pinpoint the problem of cracking as, depending on your build, bond of bricks, mortar mix, too much heat without first curing etc.......it could be many things that have caused the cracking.
You say you haven't gauged the exact homebrew mortar, but anything in the ballpark ratio of 4:1:1:1: homebrew mortar will work. I've heard of a few entrance arches that have failed ( I had one myself) but I've never heard of a dome that fail's.
I have also seen a Clay dome at the Abergavenny Food festival, with a wide circular crack (about the same area as yours) ..and using concrete pavers as a hearth.......churning out 1 pizza every 90 seconds at 4 or £5 each. (he has a continuous queue at his stall for this 2 day event)......so.....just want to say, keep an eye on the cracks but push on with a pizza party... (as long as you have given your oven enough curing fires to expiate all the natural damp that will be in the fire-bricks and the mortar).....and see what happens.
Perhaps what I want to say is ...please still ask questions, but only YOU will know how the dome was built ....and with enough posts from members on your build, you can relate them back to your build and pinpoint any stages that could cause your cracking problems.
Terry
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Post by eddiej on May 22, 2013 19:23:18 GMT
I don't like to see anyone have problems whilst trying to make something. I'm grateful to you for posting up the photos etc that you have, as anyone who says that they don't make mistakes, makes nothing at all. Keep up the hard work, and whilst it might currently feel like a struggle, it'll all be worth it in the end.
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Post by johnaero on May 22, 2013 19:31:14 GMT
well had sit and think
pretty simple how happened, i left front edge bricks dry as wanted keep joints down aso brick was laid on mortar about 3/4 lenght brick so there is about .5-1 of brick where they join along the long edge with no mortar. so these joints no have tiny gaps id say due dirt that cant be filled but will allow heat in
main cracks came simple due too much heat and poorly jointed bricks
more i am worried will they hold up? i was able scrape the mortar out with flat head screwdrive was like it crumbled apart
so i think i left oven 1 wekk but in relaty the joints were pointed on 2-3 days before that so they were not dry fully. then after 48-55 hourds candles i put too big fire in causing it to crack
my 1st fire was small but 2hr later after fueling it up the timber at rear caught light and ended up with full raging fire instead of small one causing the crack
so i routed outer ones and re filled them
inner ones i did what i coudl to clean and re fill them but some are so small the tip of trowel wont even fit in
one that was leaking was about.5inch where 3 seperate bricks all me at 1 corner and were hevily pointed and mortar dired out too fast as were fresh points and crumbled away
so all re pointed.
will re inspect tomorrow and see if can find more and re point them
not lot more can do
will be on holidays next thrusday so have oven covered over with tarp so going give in next week till do one or 2 tiny fire
on plus side i had some lovely venison (dad shot last season) mixed with pork mince
made some burgers then smoked them with jack daniels wood. oh they were to die for
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Post by johnaero on May 22, 2013 19:36:25 GMT
as for stuggle
nah i love this sort work
i am more annoyed with myself as i rushed it durign the build and didnt get the clean finish internally i planned for. then over rushed curing even though there was no need rush
so oven is useable more i am pissed as i was not born with patience
and by none i mean none. if doesnt work i usually take a rather large sledge hammer to it hahahaha
but must say watching others do buils and getting help from here makes huge diff.
most posts up and pics are to warn people dont rush or youll end up with my mistakes
so far 1 had one smokign joint, so as long all sealed next firing i will go ahead and insulate it and build chimney.
i will still prbable look into crawling inside and cleaning some joints out and re pointing them is goes crumbly. dont mind the work tis how bloody awkward it is as i not the thinnest of people so my head just about gets in door let alone arms
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Post by johnaero on May 22, 2013 19:43:37 GMT
here is what meant about joints sounded like excellent ideal at time BUT dont do this as end up with tiny gaps tha are too small to be pointed and open up with heat Attachments:
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Post by johnaero on May 24, 2013 7:47:17 GMT
chimney started. about half way up Attachments:
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Post by johnaero on May 24, 2013 7:47:35 GMT
top vent of arch Attachments:
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