North Essex first time adventure.

[tensheds]

A first question from a newbie planning a 42" Pompeii and in need of guidance.

Any thoughts on using concrete paviors for the dome? I have a huge stack from old paths in the garden and it would be good to find a use for them, not to mention a significant cost saving.  Will they stand the heat?

Many thanks in anticipation 

[downunderdave]

Jan 12, 2016 22:28:24 GMT tensheds said:

A first question from a newbie planning a 42" Pompeii and in need of guidance.

Any thoughts on using concrete paviors for the dome? I have a huge stack from old paths in the garden and it would be good to find a use for them, not to mention a significant cost saving.  Will they stand the heat?

Many thanks in anticipation 

concrete pavers won't cope with the heat. Some builders have used clay pavers and reported success, but as they're not designed for use in a heat application you won't know if they are likely to spall or not. Same goes for any clay bricks, they may me ok and they may not. If using clay pavers  for the dome and you lay them on edge they really don't have enough thickness in the mortar joints for long term serviceability. The more normal practice is to use common pressed reds- the ones without holes in them- cut in half. Probably the easiest way is to cut them in half with a bolster and lay them with the rough end out, the inner faces touching i.e. no mortar gap. Whilst the gap on the outside will be quite big, but just fill it up with home-brew mortar. The outer surface is then parged with more home-brew to get a reasonably true hemispherical surface.

[tensheds]

That makes sense Dave. Not worth the risk for a relatively small additional cost. Common pressed reds it will be.
Thanks.

[tensheds]

We're off - god it was cold out there on Sunday, but I made a start.

[tensheds]

Tim for an update - base finished and concrete curing. Will take the framework off over the weekend and then on with the floor.

I opted for thermal blocks in the end rather than calsil board. General opinion seems to be that this will be OK.

I've found enough storage heater bricks for the floor - anyone had any experience of cutting them? I am assuming all should be OK with a diamond blade.

Thanks all.

[oblertone]

I cut my heater blocks using an old tile cutter with a rather knackered diamond blade which worked well; one note of caution, the blocks have an even face and a ridged one, if you cut off the ridge you'll have an uneven tile. Also they are quite friable and the corners break off with little or no encouragement. Good luck.

[tensheds]

Thanks lots. I am still wondering if it might be a better idea to buy fire bricks. Suppose I'll give it a go at the weekend and see how it goes.

[diggerjones]

I've found a cheap supply of fire bricks in stoke.  75 p reclaimed. 

[tensheds]

That's very good value. Any chance you could let me have the details? Might be worth a trip.

[diggerjones]

grange-aggregates.co.uk/contact_us 
Very helpful chap. His said he will sell me some grog and tell me where to get some fire cement. 

[tensheds]

Great stuff. Many thanks

[cannyfradock]

Hello Tensheds

Nice work on your base. What a brill idea to put up a gazebo over your work area. Good tips from the guys ......I'd never use anything concrete in the actual construction of a wood-fired oven. Those fire-bricks from diggerjones look good value for money, although when I clicked on the link it went to an "error" screen?. The fire-bricks from Liam (kilnlinings) are only about £1.20 each (not quite sure on his price but he gives 10% off to forum members) so there's not such a huge difference in price for new and reclaimed.....but if you can get them for 75p...go for it.

All the best with your build

Terry

[tensheds]

Thanks Terry - I've done a bit more research and I reckon that the difference in cost between doing everything with new firebricks from Kilnlinings and using recycled storage heater bricks for the floor and reclaimed pressed common bricks is about £200.

You pays your money and you makes your choice!

[tensheds]

Progress.....
In the end I went for quarry tiles on top of storage heater bricks..

[diggerjones]

Where did you get fire bricks from in the end, is it a 36 or. 42" oven? Looking good