Leeds Build

[dunnes2002]

Bugger it I'm going to use the indispensable tool thingy, a few people said they wish they had used it as you can clean as you go.

How long should it take to build the dome with the tool? Should you stop after a couple if rows and let it set?

[spinal]

Depends what mortar you use... if you're using HAC/CAC instead of porland cement, it sets in 20 minutes or so; so you could, in theory, build the whole dome in a day...

The downside is you need to mix small batches or you'll end up with a bucket of set mortar...

M.

[dunnes2002]

it will be portland ccement, guess i will just have to be patient!

[bookemdanno]

If you get the mix and brick suction right, you'll be able to keep going for a day but don't rush it. If it's hot, pre soak the bricks for a short while, take them out of the water and rest for 5 minutes before laying though. You don't want any surface water or they'll "float" and get really messy. You'll get the hang of it, with regards mixing, soaking and laying. Give yourself plenty of room.
Good luck!

[dunnes2002]

Work will be starting again this weekend as long as the weather holds up.. so i have a quick question i have read conflicting opinions on whether to use wet cement or dry cement under the cooking surface, does it really matter?

Im thinking of leaving a small gap around the edge of the floor/dome to leave some expension but is this really necessary if the cooking floor is homebrewed down?

Think i have the rest of it straight including the transition!!

[bookemdanno]

You'll probably find it easier to lay wet.
If your base is level, then using a large notched tile trowel to create a ridged mortar can be helpful too.
Most leave a gap around the floor, it fills with ash, but will provide an area for expansion.
Better to have it, than an expanding floor pushing at the base of the dome.

Good luck!

[petec]

Hiya

if you go "wet bed" for the floor just be careful not to get mortar wedged between the vertical faces of the floor bricks as you lay them as it will make butting them up to each other a real pain in the **ss.

Good luck with next stage !

Rgds
PeteC

[cannyfradock]

Dunnes

Not much more to add ....I think it's all been covered. I also use a wide notched trowel to lay the fire-brick hearth and I use the homebrew mix for this. You may need to dampen down your slab to keep the homebrew from drying out. I then use a (white) rubber mallet to gently tap the bricks into place.

There are differing methods to fill that gap around the perimeter of your hearth. Myself, I, lay my first couple of dome rings and use the dried homebrew rests and crush it on the hearth. I then sweep the homebrew dust into the hearth cracks and fill up the perimeter gap with the rest. The dry butted hearth bricks will take a lot of this dust so I spend a bit of time continually sweeping this homebrew dust into the cracks. Any really small cracks which won't take this dust ...I leave and as mentioned will be filled with ash from your curing fires. I'm not sure if this is the correct method, but it's the method I use. (I'm still learning)

Terry

[dunnes2002]

Thanks for the advice I will use wet mortar and fill any gaps with dust as mentioned, sounds like a good idea. Just need to get on with it now, it better not be raining on Sunday otherwise I will end up asking more questions. Too much thinking and not enough doing.....

[dunnes2002]

Managed to get the hearth cut to a rough looking circle. Small finder wouldn't work so only had the big grinder but it coped well with a cheap silverline diamond blade. Hoped to get a bit more if the dome done but then the rain came. Hope it will be ok with all the rain, may need to check first thing to make sure its still dryish.

May try and get a couple of rows dine mid week and compete next weekend.

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[sel0975]

Hi Dunnes

Have you room for a small gazebo to cover it? I picked a cheap one up at Argos and it does the job and means you can keep at it despite the rain. Looking good so far - you'll be putting in the final few bricks before you know it.

Cheers
Sel

[dunnes2002]

unfortunately no space around the build for any type of waterproof structure. My main concern was my level of waterproofing and would it be good enough for the amount of rain we are going to have. Sured it up this morning using a tent ground sheet, looks pretty dry inside thankfully.

The wather looks to improve this week so should be able to get a few more bits completed.

[dunnes2002]

Another day of shipping the family off to the in-laws gives me chance to get building.

I think the most time consuming bit of the build so far has been sorting the forms out. Once that was done things started moving a lot quicker. Not 100% happy with all my work but things seem ok so far.

[cannyfradock]

Dunnes

I've taken to using a 12" angle grinder on my last couple of Pompeii builds, but my first 2 builds I only used a lump hammer, bolster and a brick hammer for all my cuts and it looked very similar to your build......and they've all held up well.

Don't forget to ram all the joints full of mortar and try to remove any surplus mortar from the inside of the dome with a damp sponge.....or damp scourer and sponge.

Terry

[dunnes2002]

Got a little bit more of my oven completed last night, had to leave it before I could point the inside due to nagging wife so that will make it a bit more difficult but nothing a bit of elbow grease wont sort out.
So now I am starting to think about firing next week but this leads to quite a few more questions.

How long should I leave it when the dome is completed before starting small fires?

How many fires should I have before/ what temperature should I get to before I put the blanket on?

Again after the blanket is attached should I have a fire or two or just add the vermicrete layer and then have fires again? (not sure about the moisture content of the blanket)

Starting to get excited for the first pizza and don’t want to make any (more) mistakes!!!

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