Wellwood Pompeii

[eddiej]

In truth I don't have time for this project, and it certainly wasn't on my 'to do' this year list, but life is way too short and I want to do something that I and others will get plenty of enjoyment from.
With this in mind, I have made a start. Sadly not upwards yet though.

History first.

My interest in doing this project started many years ago whilst on hols in Belgium (don't laugh) This little frame was in the garden of the house that we rented, and it was also the frame which got me started in oak buildings, as I thought that I could do better, so did.
In many ways I still prefer this frame to anything that I do, simply because it is so rustic and simple. Something that I'd love to be able to do, but can't as my brain has a bit of conflict of interest when it comes to 'just function' over neatness. Sadly I'm too clinical in approach when it comes to my own builds, and this is a trait in me that I don't like.




I also loved the simple brick BBQ built to the side in the above photo, then spotted this bread on another holiday, and I was hooked!



Onto my build.. This is the location for the oven, but I keep re thinking the actual oven position as the oak frame faces North West and cops any bad weather. It is also freezing to sit in during the winter months.



First job to be done, is to extend the existing BBQ area/gazebo


Footings dug and concreted, dwarf wall built and oversite prepared. I couldn't bring my self to risk moving the clematis, so made a planting pocket around it.



Next up the concrete.



And this weekend I found time to make a start on the brick paving. Annoyingly I didn't have enough, but weather and time permitting will finish it next weekend. The colour difference on the new bricks isn't as much as it appears in the photos, but I hate the existing brickwork, and stupidly laid those when money was super tight and simply bought what I could afford




Sometime this week I want to clear the area out and make my location decision. I had thought about extending the roof line of the frame out and incorporating it into this, but that would currently create more work than I can currently deal with, as I'm also mid way through anew workshop build, extending the garage, and have masses of drainage work to do before winter!.
Anyway back to the build... I was originally going to build a mix of Pompeii and vault, but have decided to build a Pompeii instead. I like the idea of a round base, so will see how this goes, and out of all of the many builds on here, the one that inspires me the most is the 'Bristol build' by Mikeyt1968. I may incorporate elements of this build, although I am taking in elements from just about every other one here as well.

I guess that is it for now.

[eddiej]

I found time to finish the paving today, and have been giving much thought to the base construction.



One aspect of wood fired ovens that I hate, is the general look of many of the bases that they sit on. By this I don't mean the workmanship, but to me they often look like a cross between a coal bunker and a bomb shelter.
With this in mind I have two ideas in mind to lighten this appearance, the first using steel and the second using oak.
The idea of using steel would be to construct a table with central column which would be bolted down and then I'd construct a column of brickwork around it, which would then be filled with vibrated concrete. I have also come up with a design to hide the rest of the table, so that you would just see the central brick column, and the oven above

The second idea using oak, is both quicker and cheaper, and I can do all of the work myself, and can run the construction alongside my daily oak framing. I've also given the construction of this base careful thought, but I'd be rubbish at trying to explain how I intend to do it.

My hardest decision is still trying to work out the best location.

I also knocked up this a while ago from scrap oak, and now intend to use it for a food prep area within the build.

[turkey]

scrap oak..... looks like a top end side board to me. Wonderful

would love something like that but with a butchers block on the top and of course a kitchen to fit it in

[eddiej]

Thanks Turkey.

I collect up off cuts and other wood that has been slung on bonfire by the sawmill owner where I rent my workshop. Then when work runs a bit dry, I make a few odds and ends, with the intention of selling them, but somehow they always end up at home.

I'd hoped to get the timber for my oven base ordered up by now, but time hasn't been on my side. I'm already laying awake planning and changing the damn thing though.

[eddiej]

Not really much progress, but I took delivery of the oak yesterday in order to start making my base framework. There is going to be a fair amount of work just in that element of it, before even starting the oven construction.

I decided to draw up my planned design, and here it is (kind of)

I won't put the top plates and rafters on until after the oven has been built. The post section size is 200mm x 200mm tapering down to 125mm x 125mm. The base horizontals are also 200mm x 200mm and the top plate are 125mm x 125mm
The footprint size of the frame is 1,800mm x 1,800mm and the measurement from ground level to top plate is also 1,800mm
The roof shall be a 42.5 degree pitch with full hip ends and shall be finished with reclaimed clay nib tiles.

[eddiej]

A days work, with three more posts to go. Even this one still has 1-2hrs of work to do to it.

I'm starting to think that this was kind of a mistake.

[umhloti]

WOW what a Talent you have > Cant wait to see the finished all over end product .

[eddiej]

Work has been stupidly busy and stressful of late, but I have all but finished my latest timber framing project, and have taken a few day off to try and get the base finished.

The posts are now finished, and one of the base plates is cut and machined up, with three more still to make. This has taken approx three and a half days to get this far, and I still have approx. two and half days to go. Blocks and bricks would certainly have been the easier option.

[bookemdanno]

Oh no Eddie, please please carry on! This is amazing!

I'm sure that it must be tough, as you work with this stuff all day, every day, but it really shows that you have a passion for it. I'm glad that you're managing to keep busy too, especially in this current climate. But the cream usually rises to the top, and good craftsmanship will always find a customer somewhere.

You're running out of summer though!

[eddiej]

Thanks for the positive comments.

I was going to mortice and tennon the four posts into the top plate, and also do the same for the knee bracing below, but the time that it is going to take is not really worth the effort, so as much as it goes against the grain, I'm going to use 16mm stainless pins for the top, and stainless coach screws for the bracing.

On the work front I have tripped myself up. I've been so pre occupied with the big build that I kept putting off ordering the materials for my next job, as it is one of those pain in the backside jobs. Stupidly I may have to take some forced time out, that I can't afford. Still I guess that means that I might have a chance to at least get this thing finished.
Once the base is done, the rest will be a pleasure to do, and I'm going to find it very therapeutic and relaxing.

On the plus side with the oak framework, I can be pretty much certain that my design will be original. Not so sure that the oven will be though, and I need to stop changing my mind about the design.

[cannyfradock]

I'm not a jealous man but I have to admit that just a little envy crept in looking at your talent.

Keep up the good work Eddie.

Terry

[eddiej]

Thanks for the kind words.

cannyfradock, no need for envy.

You lay bricks for a living, whilst I butcher wood for a living.

Speaking of bricks. I was going to lay the eight bricks today to sit the posts on, but had a hiccup with the brick paved extension. I realised that whilst I could get the frame to fit on, I hadn't allowed for the rafter feet and guttering. I kind of knew this, but was hoping that it would just go away!! ;D

So rather than laying bricks, lost time today digging and concreting anther footing, chasing out the existing paving ready to make it wider.

[eddiej]

I'm finally getting somewhere.

I have approx one more days work on the oak framework, and I knocked off work early today to get the extension to the paving laid, and the corner post supports laid.

[eddiej]

At last!!!!!!!!!


It's been a good day, and the base frame is all but done. I won't do the roof until after the build, as I can see that it will cause hassle doing the oven the build.

[nibz]

Beautiful craftmanship.
This is going to be one interesting build.