Another Aussie Oven Brick Oven Photos Discuss Another Aussie Oven in the Good Background Information forums; if they cant see it,,,, They will smell it... But the fence will keep them out Good Luck Mark...

[ThisOldGarageNJ]

if they cant see it,,,, They will smell it... But the fence will keep them out

Good Luck

Mark

[Alter ego]

I managed to get off work early this afternoon and lay another course of concrete blocks.

Below is a pic from last weekend when the first course was going down.



I have a new respect for brickies! Thay make laying brincks look easy the way they slap the mud quickly on a brick/block, give it a gentle tap with the end of the trowel and it is all straight & level.

But I am getting faster so there is some hope for me yet.

[ThisOldGarageNJ]

have you considered just stacking the block and filling the cores with rebar and cement.. much faster and easier IMO... you can stucco with surface bonding cement after for full structural strength..

Mark

[Alter ego]

I made the decision to lay the blocks instead of dry stack them as I was unsure of the finish that I wanted on the stand. I may just leave it as it is or pain them. I figured that this way I would have all the options open.

...and I also thought "it is only 26 blocks, that won't take long to lay"

Just as well that I don't have a deadline!

[ThisOldGarageNJ]

your working with the right attitude,,, too many of us are in too much of a hurry

Good luck and enjoy your project

Mark

[david s]

If you are not confident to lay blocks, use a mortar bed to position and level the first row then use a masonary contact adhesive (Liquid nails for mortar in Australia) to join the rest. Fill some of the cores with concrete and rebar and render over.

[Alter ego]

David,

I have already done 2 courses of blockwork and I am halfway there already so It's a bit too late to change now. There is nothing wrong with the blocks so far as I take my time to get the quality finish that I want.

When I have done other jobs like tiling, plastering, painting etc in the past I look at other peoples work after I have finished and I realise that often tradesmen do not do a better quality job that the finish I get. I am sure that the work they do is 10 times faster than me but it is not always better. I started off my career as an electrician and worked on many construction sites. Watching other trades on sites gives you a big advantage when it comes to doing the work yourself but it they still make it look easy.

Although I was an electrician and spent many hours digging trenches while I was an apprentice, digging the trench for the power to the WFO wasn't much faster than my other trade skills. Too much time behind a desk these days tapping at a keyboard!

Paul

[Alter ego]

... and my typing is not much faster either! I still use 2 fingers to type

[david s]

Paul,
I agree with you entirely, although I have also gained appreciation of good workmanship after seeing some of my own bodgey efforts.

[KINGRIUS]

Paul, I laid my blocks like you're doing. It looks like you're doing a much neater job of it than I did though. I like the idea of the form you're using. All I can say for the block work on my foundation is: I'm glad it's covered up!

Keep up the good work!
-Darius