|
|
Post by ricksterr on Aug 10, 2012 18:23:11 GMT
Sorry Tony, yes I meant Vermicrete. You will have to forgive my ignorance as this is all new to me, glad you guys are here.  I took terrys advice and landed in the middle with 3inches of vermicrete, should I go with a vermiculite board between that and the oven floor? Or is that overkill? Now trying to decide what to use for the floor of the oven, fire bricks being the obvious choice, has anyone ever used granite? I ask this because I have seen it before in Italy and I have a good contact for some very very cheap. As always your help is much needed... ;D Attachments:
|
|
|
|
Post by bighairyal on Aug 10, 2012 19:03:21 GMT
Ahoy Ricksterr.
Personally, I'd be wary of using granite as an oven hearth. It is an igneous rock, and born itself of great temperature & pressure - but as a natural material may contain structural imperfections that could cause cracking under great heat.
That said, I know our American chums do use soapstone to great effect in their ovens, so what do I know?
|
|
|
|
Post by ricksterr on Aug 20, 2012 13:57:10 GMT
Well after some really crap weather I finally got some work done. I decided to use fire bricks for the oven floor, chickened out of using granite ;D So as you can see the dome is built and will soon have a small layer of lime mortar over the top before the blanket goes on. How long should I leave it before putting the blanket on? Does it matter? My calculation was a bit out as the dome height ended up 2 inches higher than it should have  Attachments:
|
|
|
|
Post by ricksterr on Aug 20, 2012 13:58:18 GMT
Havent worked out the multiple images thing yet... ;D Attachments:
|
|
|
|
Post by turkey on Aug 20, 2012 16:01:18 GMT
Havent worked out the multiple images thing yet... ;D don't worry just keep them coming  |
|
|
|
Post by tonyb on Aug 21, 2012 9:04:12 GMT
Don't worry about the height discrepancy, I doubt any of us get it spot on.
There are differing views on whether to go ahead with insulating and finishing or curing the un-insulated dome first. I went with the former mainly due to concerns about weather and it worked out ok for me.
|
|
|
|
Post by bookemdanno on Aug 21, 2012 20:16:16 GMT
Cover it up, then cure it off with gentle low fires, lots of them!
Don't look under the blanket!!!
|
|
|
|
Post by faz on Aug 21, 2012 20:40:11 GMT
And don't get carried away with the fires!! Low and slow is the way to go:)
|
|
|
|
Post by cannyfradock on Aug 22, 2012 6:52:18 GMT
I start curing my ovens shortly after the dome is finished, but still continue with the other layers straight away.
Terry
p.s....You made the right choice with the fire-brick hearth.
|
|
|
|
Post by ricksterr on Aug 23, 2012 15:32:02 GMT
I had to light a small fire, I couldn't wait any longer... ;D I didnt let it get too hot or burn for too long but at the minute all seems well and good. It was a relief to see the fire light and burn easily as I was worried that my calculations were a bit off.. Just need to get the blanket on and the hearth and outside arch built, not sure what style or shape yet.... Attachments:
|
|
|
|
Post by cannyfradock on Aug 23, 2012 17:19:45 GMT
Rick
It's always nice to see the first half decent fire in your own...self built wood-fired oven.
If it was only a small fire, then you won't yet see how good the chimney draws......you will, once you start creeping the temperature's up a bit.
Great pic.....
Terry
|
|
|
|
Post by ricksterr on Aug 29, 2012 18:32:18 GMT
Well guys, it finally emerged  the first crack. I knew it would appear at some stage but still feel a bit gutted . This is after about 4 fires gradually getting a bit hotter each time (last one maybe too hot) Is this anything to worry about? As I have never built anything before I am a bit nervous  Attachments:
|
|
|
|
Post by ricksterr on Aug 29, 2012 18:39:58 GMT
This is a dry run at my outside arch, looks pretty good I think. The next pic will show a close up of the top of the arch, I would like some advice on the key stone. As you will see I actually have 2 key stones, one either side of the centre brick, will this work? Or should I change it to the centre brick being the key stone? Attachments:
|
|
|
|
Post by ricksterr on Aug 29, 2012 18:40:58 GMT
Forgive my ignorance about the multiple images thing  Attachments:
|
|
|
|
Post by cannyfradock on Aug 29, 2012 19:25:12 GMT
Rick
The crack on the outside could simply be the moisture in the bricks and mortar of the dome expanding and pushing out until it finds it's weakest point .....usually the render. Check the inside of the dome for cracking.....either way the natural structure of the dome will always stop it from failing.....a litle bit of parging up the cracks will usually sort it out.
Your outside arch looks really good, but don't forget......it's there to serve a purpose. It enables you to create a vent "outside" of the dome and also forms the rebate for the door (when the outer arch is slightly larger than the inner arch.
An arch should be uniform, not only in the bricks of the arch, but more importantly the perps (perpendicular joints) between the bricks should be uniform. It looks to me as if the 2 keystones should be at the top of the arch....that way every perp will uniform
Every build is different so please don't take my comments as "what should be"......they're only a couple of thoughts which you might use in your build.
Your doing wellin your build....don't worry about multiple posts....keep em comin!!!
Terry
|
|
the first crack. I knew it would appear at some stage but still feel a bit gutted 
