stevo
WFO Team Player
Posts: 118
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Post by stevo on Jul 4, 2012 12:55:47 GMT
Guys,
I've got a few questions about the order of doing things.
I'll probably be finished the main firebrick work this weekend. - At this stage would I be able to start lighting WEE fires to begin the drying out process? - If the answer to the above question is yes would i be able to have a big enough fire to cook things in after a few days of smaller fires? - I presume the oven will have to be kept covered to stop the amazing Scottish weather getting to the brickwork?
I've been reading Pete's quite impressive Essex build in the Pompeii thread and from what i can decipher from the pictures, it looks like he's fired his up just after the brickwork has been finished.
Cheers Stevo
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Post by pete123 on Jul 4, 2012 16:01:11 GMT
I did. My thinking was to check it out before I put the insulation on & couldn't get to it anymore.
Mine did crack but there's nothing to say yours will. I think Terry's theory about the cause being not spacing ie staggering the bricks properly & perhaps too much heat too early were the cause. My crack found the weakest point & the biggest one started where I previously had a small hairline crack.
Having repaired mine I didn't fire it up again so if it cracks again I will only be able to repair it from inside - a claustrophobic job.
I can't think of any reason why not to have some small curing fires at an early stage. When I did I eventually took the opportunity to throw in my first pizza & Ribs.
Take them easy though.
Pete
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stevo
WFO Team Player
Posts: 118
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Post by stevo on Jul 5, 2012 10:38:21 GMT
Cheers Pete, thats what i thought.
I just think that because i've set a date and invited a shed load of people round in August that i'll end up rushing the job and maybe making a mistake or even having to make do with something.
If it does come to it and i've not got the insulation layer round the oven then it's good to know that i can still fire it up and use it (obviously not ideal but at least it'll work albeit not very economically but it'll work).
Cheers Stevo
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Post by turkey on Jul 5, 2012 11:39:05 GMT
Hi Stevo,
the insulation makes no difference structurally, the slow firing is to stop moisture boiling away forcing its way out making cracks (in either insulation layer or brick structural layer) The insulation acts to keep the heat in for cooking, but also often contains a lot of moisture itself so will need drying out also before a final waterproof render is applied. Given this lovely weather atm its going to be a slow process but I am sure will be usable easily before the dead line.
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Post by cannyfradock on Jul 5, 2012 18:47:24 GMT
Stevo
Your last comment and Turkey's reply are ....again spot on.
....just try to be patient with the curing fires before trying to put too much heat into your Vault......and ...as you mentioned, even if it's not fully finished, try to get some insulation around the vault before fully firing (it'll save you a few shillings in fuel)
Terry
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stevo
WFO Team Player
Posts: 118
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Post by stevo on Jul 9, 2012 21:25:46 GMT
Hello all, Managed to duck and dive the stupid rain for the last 4 days. Got a fair amount done, all three walls and the roof. Used a shed load of homebrew just to make sure that the damn thing isn't going to collapse. i'll have everything crossed on wednesday (when i take the forma out...). Let me know what you think, be gentle... Attachments:
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stevo
WFO Team Player
Posts: 118
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Post by stevo on Jul 9, 2012 21:26:30 GMT
next... Attachments:
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stevo
WFO Team Player
Posts: 118
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Post by stevo on Jul 9, 2012 21:27:36 GMT
used the remaining cement to semi render the outer walls and roof in the hope that it'll give it a wee bit more strength. Attachments:
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stevo
WFO Team Player
Posts: 118
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Post by stevo on Jul 12, 2012 17:49:10 GMT
Hey, I'm slightly worried about the dome collapsing, i know the bricks could have been closer together but this is my first attempt at something this. I've used a shed load of homebrew so who knows!? (it's not squint, but my photo taking is...) It seems strong enough to pull at, but it's just a niggling thought in my head! Cheers Stevo Attachments:
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stevo
WFO Team Player
Posts: 118
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Post by stevo on Jul 12, 2012 17:49:31 GMT
ANother. Attachments:
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Post by cannyfradock on Jul 13, 2012 13:39:19 GMT
OK Stevo...... First point....In my opinion your arch is not going to fail. Normally on a vault build (or any other arched construction come to that) the bricks are laid on edge i.e 4". You have laid them flat.....3". Laid on edge you could space the bricks out and get away without any cuts. As it is....you have angled your keystone well so in principle it cannot collapse on itself. Some people build an extra skin of bricks (butress) on the sides of the vault to stop any outward pressure.......other don't !!...I've not known one collapse in either method. Second point.....I have seen many (perhaps 5 or 6) Barrel/Vault builds where people have laid brick on flat......they haven't collapsed either. One baker built a Vault oven on a farm trailer with brick on flat then covered the brick with 6 to 8" of re-inforced normal concrete... The oven is still standing but the tractor had problems (it broke) when it tried to tow the trailer. Terry
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stevo
WFO Team Player
Posts: 118
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Post by stevo on Jul 13, 2012 14:23:08 GMT
As i said earlier, thanks for your comments - it's taken a load off my mind. I'm now thinking towards the mouth entrance Normally everyone goes for an arched entrance but i'm keener on a squared industrial look so i'm proposing to go for the following method. U shaped steel channel cemented onto the front of the oven to make a solid lintel. The chimney will be welded onto the lintel and it'll brick around it with the firebrick... Thats this weekends job, along with decking the bbq area. Stevo Attachments:
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Post by bookemdanno on Jul 14, 2012 6:38:49 GMT
i love all the Skethcup stuff now coming through! I can't figure it out! Old Skool... Paper and a pencil for me! Looks Good so far! And that arch will last forever...highlander!
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stevo
WFO Team Player
Posts: 118
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Post by stevo on Jul 18, 2012 12:40:02 GMT
Just a wee update... The decking around the cooking area is now mostly down, i should be able to crack on with the chimney area at the weekend and hopefully start lighting wee fires next week. It's great to see the end in sight! Cheers Stevo Attachments:
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stevo
WFO Team Player
Posts: 118
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Post by stevo on Jul 23, 2012 11:37:07 GMT
FINISHED...to the point where i need to put the Verm insulation on, but i'll be able to get it heated up and cook in. I managed to get my gas/charcoal bbq plumbed in and my recycled granite worktop attached. I can't believe i managed to get it finished in time but with a huge effort from my brother and loads of help from here - it's done!! Now i've got 13 days to gently warm it up. Woohoo Attachments:
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