It is begun

[Tscarborough]

I finished the wood box, but these Endicott brick are tough to arch. They are like laying glass block, and my form was not good enough, so I laid it square.

[RuthAndScott]

I know your frustration, I replaced an old bathroom window with glass block - I think it took about 3 tries before I finally got it right.
A square wood box will be just fine, it should allow for more wood storage.
I am having a heck of a time locating fire brick in our area and am waiting to hear back from an FB supplier in Minnesota (about 3-4 hours drive from here) on a price for a pre built FB oven.

[Tscarborough]

The weather was nice today, but I only had a couple hours to burn. I finished one side and got some cuts done for the other. I can begin the oven slab now, at least.

[Jaronimo]

Its looking good. That will fit right in there in Austin. Thats a cool town.

[fxpose]

Very cozy. I like that droop.

[Tscarborough]

Finished the rest of the countertop base today. Hopefully I can wash it tomorrow. Then I am done for a couple of weeks. Next up is to pour the oven base!

[RuthAndScott]

It looks just Awesome! I love it.

[Tscarborough]

Thank you. My wife was dubious, but she likes it now that it is done. My mason friends, on the other hand, just scratch their head, as does my Dad, a retired GC and civil engineer. I washed it today, and am ready to start the oven next weekend after the holidays.

[Jaronimo]

Of course they have mixed feelings. a civil engineer and masons cannot look at anything that is not straight, level, and plumb.

I had a mason build my basement at a house I built a number of years ago. Concrete block, 10 feet tall. There was one stretch that ran 85 feet. he never used a level, and only used a string for the first course. oh yeah, he never did anything without a beer in his hand. All the empties were placed inside the hollows of the blocks. he said it was" insulation". Well if that was true it was the best insulated wall you have ever seen. And to my utter amazement it went up very fast and is absolutely perfectly straight. he may have stumbled walking to his truck, but that wall was perfect!

[Tscarborough]

I cut and placed 4ea 30"x30" by 2" thick pads as a base, then put 3-1/2" of 10-1 perlcrete over it. Firebrick next!