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Post by coldwater on May 9, 2018 20:41:31 GMT
Hi all, about to start my dome build on my firebrick hearth. I have my IT ready, but am wondering whether I would be better off making a sand former to the shape that I want my dome and using that technique.... a lot of people making cob domes use this technique, but if it not so good with brick....? Any advice gratefully received.
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Post by james9 on May 9, 2018 21:52:24 GMT
The IT method works perfectly well at least until the 8th or 9th course. Some people use an L shape piece of metal on the end of the IT to support bricks, I used an additional/adjustable piece of wood on the underside of the IT and it seemed to work fine. As the vertical angle increases which takes quite a long time, courses 9-11, the first 2-3 bricks in each layer were harder to stick but once you get a couple of bricks in place then the rest of the layer was much easier.
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Post by downunderdave on May 9, 2018 22:16:32 GMT
The IT method works perfectly well at least until the 8th or 9th course. Some people use an L shape piece of metal on the end of the IT to support bricks, I used an additional/adjustable piece of wood on the underside of the IT and it seemed to work fine. As the vertical angle increases which takes quite a long time, courses 9-11, the first 2-3 bricks in each layer were harder to stick but once you get a couple of bricks in place then the rest of the layer was much easier. Another method that works well and is somewhere between an IT and the stick method, is to use a length of plastic conduit with a flat plate attached to the top. On the bottom a shallow hole can be made in the brick in the dead centre of the floor. Because the conduit is pretty bendy it can be easily removed from the brick just laid. if you decide on a sand form, pile a bunch of polystyrene boxes in the middle to save on sand and time.The disadvantage of the sand former is that you can’t tidy up the mortar joints on the inside as you go.
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Post by coldwater on May 10, 2018 7:44:14 GMT
That’s a good point about not being able to tidy up the mortar joints, I hadn’t thought about that. I think I may go with the IT method after all.
Many thanks
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Post by crammy on May 10, 2018 9:22:08 GMT
i used a tool up to about course 7 or 8 and then used a sand form. as mentioned the first 8 courses are quite neat but top top lot are pretty ropey. i just got fed up in the end and wanted it finished though. you cant see this though unless you put your head in it.
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