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Post by Calaf on Feb 6, 2012 22:42:54 GMT
Before completing arch #4 I’ve tiled the rear half of the floor, otherwise it would be tricky getting to the back. I’ve used a diamond pattern so the pizza peel doesn’t catch on the joints.  Grouted with a 50/50 sand/fireclay sieved to remove the gritty bits. I brushed in the mix slightly damp then sprayed water with a mister and pushed into the joints with a scraper, scraping away excess. I hope this works. |
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Post by Calaf on Feb 6, 2012 22:44:32 GMT
Your build is starting to take shape....I hope this cold spell is not slowing you down too much. Terry |
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Post by Calaf on Feb 6, 2012 22:45:29 GMT
The oven vault is complete. The final dimensions are 610x930x300mm. The air-setting cement is hardening nicely despite the icy weather. The air is very dry this week, so perhaps it just doesn’t set well in humid air. Arch #4 is supported by the weakest part of the wall and if a disaster were to happen it would be here. But I have no worries now about it bearing the load. The aperture arch will provide the final reinforcement.
Pic to follow.
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Post by Calaf on Feb 6, 2012 22:46:55 GMT
"I hope this cold spell is not slowing you down too much." Il lavoro mai non langue, dove regna Turandot. I have a sturdy brick shed that keeps materials dry and frost free. But it was Brass Monkeys out there last night reaching -11'C. The vault was backfilled yesterday so I took the precaution of covering the work with the cat's fleece blanket and placing 2 60W bulbs inside the oven and blocking up the entrance. |
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Post by Calaf on Feb 6, 2012 22:47:37 GMT
 This was taken before the backfill of the vault. The tiles project over the CalSil by 20mm. There is a reason for that... Including backfill I have used just over one tub of the air-setting ready-mix on the whole oven including laying the quarry tiles and 3/4 bag of fireclay. A lot less than I anticipated. The dry brushing and damping in the grout technique failed. It just returned to dust. Seems you have to properly wet the clay first. This is a problem as I now can’t reach the back of the oven. |
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Post by Calaf on Feb 6, 2012 22:48:07 GMT
Side view, after backfill.  Probably unnecessary but once the clay has dried I'll re-point with the cement to seal any drying cracks. To solve the grouting problem I'll need to insert a small person into the oven. |
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Post by Calaf on Feb 6, 2012 22:49:39 GMT
Very worried as to how the cat got on without his blanket you rotter! Brass Monkeys out there last night reaching -11'C - so I took the precaution of covering the work with the cat's fleece blanket :shock: :shock: Hi Gazz Worry not. The cat has its own fur coat. Mind you, I've had my eye on it for some time as I think it would make a posh pair of gloves. And there would be a fair few chinese chicken dishes from the meat. |
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Post by Calaf on Feb 6, 2012 22:50:07 GMT
...ma la neve non sgelo. Don't think I'll be doing much for a few days.  The lightbulbs are keeping the temperature in the oven at about 18'C but the blanket is slowing down the drying of the clay backfill. |
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Post by Turandot on Feb 7, 2012 8:46:49 GMT
Schiavo, perché tarda il forno?
fretta, rapidamente... ho fame
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Post by Calaf on Feb 7, 2012 16:32:13 GMT
Crudele, Pazienza!  |
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Post by Calaf on Feb 7, 2012 16:32:54 GMT
The clay backfill is cracking and shrinking as it dries. I expected it to crack a little so I have pressed it down and re-pointed with the ready-mix. A rear-view of the back of the oven from inside the fruit-cage.  |
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Post by Turandot on Feb 8, 2012 9:21:50 GMT
Here's the deal... if you finish this by the end of next month I will increase your beer rations. If not you will be sleeping in the chicken coup.
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Post by Calaf on Feb 8, 2012 12:40:33 GMT
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Post by bookemdanno on Feb 9, 2012 13:28:26 GMT
Hen Pecked then Calaf!
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Post by Calaf on Feb 10, 2012 11:05:48 GMT
Of course not! I am the master of my household.  |
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