|
Post by dougclay on May 14, 2012 20:20:40 GMT
A cheap source for clay are the turf suppliers. As well as selling turf for your lawn, a lot of them sell clay. My local one sells puddling (the blue sticky stuff....perfect for the first layer....and the brown clay....again, perfect for the second layer if using straw etc.) They both cost £12 a ton. I'd guess you will need at least 1/2 a ton. Hi Terry, Could you PM me or post with the name of your turf supplier... it's a bit far for me, but I'm looking for the type of company so I can find something locally. Turf Suppliers I tried were puzzled as to why I thought they would have clay... I've found Industrial scale aggregate suppliers that do puddling clay, but not in the quantities I'm looking for. I'd happily pay £12 for a ton and use a fraction of it... although I have no idea how much clay you get in a ton. PeteC, I admire the attempt to calculate scientifically, I filled 4 of those large flexi-tubs (8gallons size) and still came close to being short... and that was for a smaller oven.... although I didn't add any additional sand... Also I read that when you mix sand and clay, you will find that 2 buckets of sand and 1 bucket of clay doesn't equal 3 buckets of mix, the clay sits in between the sand particles... Cheers DougClay
|
|
|
Post by surfingspider on May 17, 2012 8:03:06 GMT
Hi, my oven base which I showed you the bricks laid out on was a 4' square for a 27" internal diameter. I made a big hole and took out 13 - 3 gallon buckets of clay and mixed 2:1 and I had a couple left over after I finished. As my old boss used to say"better looking at it than for it" My build sounds very similar to what you are doing. I sure you have seen it if not check out my post ukwoodfiredovenforum.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=ccovens&action=display&thread=59
|
|
|
Post by cannyfradock on May 17, 2012 20:08:00 GMT
Pete Your last calculation sounds spot on.....I didn't understand it, but it sounds good. I'll help with bits of info when/if I can, but it's good to see that experienced clay oven builders are also chipping in with titbits of info. Don't forget there is a wealth of info on the old forum. Here is the link to the clay oven section.. woodovenukforum.forumup.co.uk/viewforum.php?f=14&mforum=woodovenukforum&sid=4d19e2b803057f0eba34a517147ceaf7 ....you have to register to be able to see ALL the photo's and links (..one of the reasons I moved the forum to here). Dougclay....If you are ever down this way I can take you to the turf suppliers....but can't remember their name and they don't pop up on a google search for turf suppliers in our area. Maybe they are on this link... www.yell.com/s/turf+and+soil+supplies-cardiff.html ......If I'm in that area I'll write down their name and number and PM you with the info. I found out about them by talking to truck drivers. I don't think they normally deal with Joe public for small amounts, but I walked in their offices and explained what I wanted the clay for, and they were happy to oblige...... How much is a ton of clay?....about a 1000 kilo's ....or in real terms, about half to three quarters of a jumbo ballast bag. Terry
|
|
petec
WFO Team Player
Posts: 232
|
Post by petec on May 23, 2012 18:37:59 GMT
Hi again ,
been a bit of delay due to working away a lot from home recently now have a couple of spare days coming up though , hurrah !
quick question - rather than go get hold of hardcore for my base - can I use my several bags of 1/2 to 1" gravel/pebbles I have left over from the garden recon as hardcore beneath my slab ? would save having to get other hardcore.
I was a little bit hesitant to use it in case it just slowly sinks into the subsoil over time and destabilises the slab . A quantity surveyor friend told me should be no problem but still not convinced.
I have enough to do 4" deep pretty easily.
cheers Pete
|
|
|
Post by bladesman on May 23, 2012 20:52:27 GMT
Pete
I have a load of gravel/pebbles from my old drive if you want them before they go at the weekend
I am in Thorner if they are of any use
Alex
|
|
petec
WFO Team Player
Posts: 232
|
Post by petec on May 24, 2012 6:39:50 GMT
thanks for the offer Alex
I have loads of pebbles and gravel so wont need them - but many thanks anyway
Rgds Pete
|
|
|
Post by turkey on May 24, 2012 7:34:35 GMT
I think the gravel is to make a soak away under the slab, its usually compacted right down and I doubt the size of the individual stones matters too much. If you go download the forno bravo plans they recommend gravel under the slab, and they are kings of over engineering.
|
|
petec
WFO Team Player
Posts: 232
|
Post by petec on May 24, 2012 13:13:10 GMT
Hi Turkey - thanks
just to clarify I mean to use pebbles/gravel rather than a hardcore layer - then cast a slab on top.
Is this what you mean too ? Cheers Pete
|
|
petec
WFO Team Player
Posts: 232
|
Post by petec on May 24, 2012 13:20:05 GMT
Ah ! just d/loaded the forno bravo instructions and I see what you mean - I am just going to use the gravel/pebbles under the slab as this looks to be fine
Makes good use of the several bags of pebbles I have lying around behind the shed !
Many thanks Pete
|
|
|
Post by cannyfradock on May 24, 2012 13:27:47 GMT
Pete
As long as you have grit (as you say) to mix in with the pebbles, they will be fine. It is more of a solid base than a soakaway (sorry Turkey)
Do try to compact it down with something heavy...a large piece of timber or the side of a paving slab etc. the dome will be mostly sitting on your outside walls which in turn will on your concrete base. By having a compacted hardcore/chippings layer on top of the soil, the concrete base will be nice and stable. It will stop any future movement of the walls.
Terry
|
|
petec
WFO Team Player
Posts: 232
|
Post by petec on May 24, 2012 13:49:46 GMT
OK many thanks
thats the first weekend task sorted then cheers Pete
|
|
petec
WFO Team Player
Posts: 232
|
Post by petec on Jul 27, 2012 13:27:28 GMT
Hi again,
after much rain , and other projects, I'm back to the work on the clay oven.
Just wanted to say thanks for the Jewsons Account code as I ordered most of my stuff ( exc Firebricks, Vermiculite and Fireclay ) from Jewsons this week and its arrived just now. mostly 40% off so that was a big help.
Laying the base this weekend. Aiming to finish everything by my 50th in early November !
Rgds Pete
|
|
|
Post by cannyfradock on Jul 27, 2012 15:24:57 GMT
Pete
Best of luck with the base.....did you find a source for your clay?. I found my source just by being a little cheeky and approaching the larger turf suppliers. If I wouldn't have had any luck there.....I would have approached the site agent of new build housing projects....the stuff that often comes out of the trenches of strip foundation work is perfect (as long as it isn't contaminated).
....still in your 40's eh,,,,you young pup.
Terry
|
|
petec
WFO Team Player
Posts: 232
|
Post by petec on Jul 28, 2012 15:47:36 GMT
Hi again Terry
well, progress today .....
possibly slightly over-engineered but I now have a 6" concrete slab about 1.4m square sitting on 4" of hardcore and sand.
Had a load of help from my enthusiastic neighbour David - also got a large Clarke Cement Mixer on loan from my brother in law which made the job a breeze.
Took us less than 3 hrs start to finish including cleaning all the tools and packing up. I expected it to take me about twice as long as that.
I used 23 bags of Jewsons all in one ballast and plenty of cement. Made up a ratio for med/high strength concrete using on-line calculators and using buckets to check mix ratio. Cube was about 0.33 cu m if anyone needs to work out similar things.
Never poured a slab before but really enjoyed it - stuff is easy as long as you have the right tools and plenty of time so you dont have to rush and can plan carefully i guess. I am going to trowel it again in the morning so I dont weaken the surface too much in haste today.
bit of a break again now while we go on hols and the concrete base cures. Have taken a few photos at each stage so I can provide a picture diary once done. Cheers Pete
|
|
|
Post by cannyfradock on Jul 29, 2012 9:53:34 GMT
Pete
Great start....nice solid base. Just in case you need more ballast for the (under hearth) slab.....a 1 ton jumbo bag will be half the price of 23 x 25kg bags. Your base has used 575kg of ballast so you would have to find a home for the 400kgs left over......just an option.
Looking forward to your pics.
Terry
|
|