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Post by cherrycolavodka on May 31, 2014 22:14:43 GMT
Hi guys - I had been meaning to get around to posting a build thread and now here it is. So having got off to a flier, keen as, I hit a stumbling block - my own noggin. Yes, a crisis of confidence. Anyway, now we are back on track and steaming along... and i ought to be. I've set myself up something wicked. Before I got a bit down beat about whether or not i could actually do this, i invited people to a bloomin' pizza oven christening to coincide with my kids' birthday.... now i am not sure the oven will be ready but i am going to back damn sure it looks good. So without further ado, here she is : Hydrange [i can't be the only one to have named their oven?? or is it a girl thing?
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Post by cherrycolavodka on May 31, 2014 22:18:47 GMT
So i skipped so of the boring shots as you will soon find out I don't think I am adding anything new to the world of pompeii builds with my rather sloppy technique. BTW, I was chuffed when I saw the dog up there, it made me realise that if all else fails at the very least I've built the dog a new sunbathing spot and the kids a play house!
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Post by cherrycolavodka on May 31, 2014 22:24:05 GMT
I think this was the stage where I hit a mental block. Making the form for the slab was a pain in the backside. The space is small to work in, I had shoddy bits of timber and no confidence I could do it... then I went on holiday for a few weeks and came back with a more positive outlook. And hey presto, look what I did one Saturday afternnoon... honestly, thank goodness it is done.
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Post by cherrycolavodka on May 31, 2014 22:24:50 GMT
So with the tricky part out of the way I really got enthused and couldn't wait to crack on...
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Post by cherrycolavodka on May 31, 2014 22:29:49 GMT
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Post by cherrycolavodka on May 31, 2014 22:36:40 GMT
So the hearth is laid, and I am ready to build... or am I? On he off chance someone can answer this before I start I'd love to know what I am aiming for with the mortar joints. Am I looking to fill all the cavity with homebrew? What happens if I leave air pockets? Should I butter the side and bottom of each break before placing, or add the mortar in situ? As you can tell I have never laid a brick in my life! Please let me know of any other basic tips that may be helpful. Anyhow, thats it from me.... Can't wait to get stuck into these bad boys tomorrow. Happy building
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rokdok
WFO Team Player
Posts: 130
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Post by rokdok on Jun 1, 2014 9:22:08 GMT
Hi I'm no expert with a part build under my belt but some bricks I buttered and with others I buttered where they were going to go. Use plenty of mortar then tap well into place with a rubber mallet then you can scoop up the excess and reuse it.I don't think you'll have any air pockets if you do that. I gets really exciting once you've got the first ring on. Good Luck RD PS I see you are not using any formers so I guess you'll be using an indispensable tool ?
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Post by cherrycolavodka on Jun 1, 2014 21:27:07 GMT
The formers need forming and the tool needs creating. I have bought things to try both options just haven't cracked on!
Today I completed my first chain. I noticed a few wee cracks in a couple of the mortar joints. Is this normal? I am using homebrew, 6:1:1:1 maybe the water mix was wrong? Any ideas on how to fix if this is a problem would be much appreciated.
Thanks
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rokdok
WFO Team Player
Posts: 130
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Post by rokdok on Jun 2, 2014 7:24:24 GMT
The mortar may have dried out a bit too quick. Wet the area where the brick is going to go and soak the brick that you are going to lay for a few minutes ( give it a drink as someone has said) that way the water won't get sucked out of the mortar. RD
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Post by cherrycolavodka on Jun 2, 2014 8:02:14 GMT
Thanks. That's what it looks like, the mortar has shrunk a bit on a couple of the joints, not all. I had the bricks soaking in a bucket prior, but it was a fairly warm day yesterday... maybe there was just a couple that didn't quite drink enough. Will keep at it... just didn't want to go higher up the chains with the wrong idea of what my mortar should do.
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Post by cherrycolavodka on Jun 2, 2014 19:59:53 GMT
OK so two chains in and I am already asking myself how far pear shaped can you really go with these things before it becomes an issue... Also, I really wish I had paid more attention in Maths class at school. I can't get my head around my radius jig or indispensable tool. I was quite relaxed thinking so long as this is all equal the whole way up and round I will be good. Then I got onto my second chain, started out fast... then started to notice I hadn't really been leaning the bricks against it, more just using it as a guide. Then I thought, perhaps the tool is wrong, maybe I needed to put some thought into the hinge and the additional space there and then the width of the wood etc. Now my head hurts. Check out these pics and let me know if I should just add a little bit of extra wood on the IT brick rest and just continue, or maybe I need to take some more drastic action? I am confused.com Thanks
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Post by cherrycolavodka on Jun 2, 2014 20:02:59 GMT
I just keep thinking I underestimated how steep the second chain needed to be.... Hope these shots exlain what I mean by added an extra thickness to the IT so I can just keep going..
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Post by docfester on Jun 2, 2014 21:30:59 GMT
Delaine,
I think your build is looking incredibly good and hats off that you cut each brick to form the perfect curve. To be honest I used my IT as a guide and made sure the inner joint was butted as neat as possible by eye, something you have certainly achieved. Have faith in the IT even if the angles seem extreme as long as the brick is parallel to the IT and follows the line you can't go wrong. Using the homebrew allows for a very forgiving build and best not worry too much.
Keep the photos of the build coming.
Pete
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rokdok
WFO Team Player
Posts: 130
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Post by rokdok on Jun 2, 2014 21:42:44 GMT
Ahaa Pete's beaten me to it . Hats off to you. I think it would be easier if the wood bit was a lot longer so that it rested on the top of the brick that you are placing. If you put plenty of mortar under the brick then you can gently tap the piece of wood and the brick underneath will then be at the perfect angle. If you screw a piece of wood crossways into the underside of the wood at he length of the radius of the oven then , having tapped the wood from above to get the brick at the right angle, you can then tap the outer part of the brick in towards the centre of the oven and it'll rest against the cross piece and be at exactly the right distance form the centre of the oven. This os a photo of my build -- imagine the IT lifted up and resting on top of one of the bricks and you'll see what I mean Cheers RD
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rokdok
WFO Team Player
Posts: 130
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Post by rokdok on Jun 2, 2014 21:43:54 GMT
Sorry duplicate post got fed up with lousy wifi and plugged the ethernet in.
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