Hansen Horno

[mfiore]

Daren, a few questions about the steel framing. What did you use to tie the roof framing to the wall studs? Did you use Tapcon screws to secure to the concrete slab? What size?

Did you find a thermocouple reader that will read all three probes? Does it fit in a standard electrical box?

[dbhansen]

Originally Posted by mfiore

What did you use to tie the roof framing to the wall studs?

I used some small 90-degree angle brackets from Home Depot, one on each end of each truss, with 4 screws into each. They seem to hold it pretty well.

Originally Posted by mfiore

Did you use Tapcon screws to secure to the concrete slab? What size?

No, but I wish I had! I used these "bolts" that the stud retailer recommended, but one of them created a hairline crack in my slab. They're like threadless bolts that you pre-drill and then hammer in. They hold really tight, but I wasn't thinking when I used them. They generate a lot of pressure.

Originally Posted by mfiore

Did you find a thermocouple reader that will read all three probes?

No, I just have the three probe wires coming into that box, and I'll just plug them into my handheld reader when I want a reading. I don't think I'll spring for a built-in reader, yet.

[mfiore]

My oven's about the same size/design as yours. How much vermiculite do you think you'll use to fill the enclosure?

[dbhansen]

Originally Posted by mfiore

My oven's about the same size/design as yours. How much vermiculite do you think you'll use to fill the enclosure?

Waaaaaay more than I thought! I think I put in about 7 large bags already, just in the back section, and I must need about 10-12 more (@ $10/ea.). I regret that I didn't try harder to make the void smaller. I blocked one corner, but should have put more thought into that part.

[dbhansen]

Started adding the rock exterior. It's from a quarry about 45 minutes from my house. It will take me a while to complete this puzzle! I started on the wall facing my neighbor's house, so they'll have to stare at my test wall -- forever!

[mfiore]

Looks great, Daren! That's going to finish off really nicely. I like integrating the local stone!

[mfiore]

Daren, what did you end up using for the loose fill? Did you get the stuff from Menards?(you mentioned that last fall) Does it seem to be the right stuff?

[dbhansen]

Originally Posted by mfiore

Daren, what did you end up using for the loose fill? Did you get the stuff from Menards?(you mentioned that last fall) Does it seem to be the right stuff?

Yes, I used the Menards loose-fill vermiculite. It does seem like the right stuff. I was concerned at first that it was too fine-grained, but the bags I bought earlier this year had a larger grain, appearing similar to what others have used. I have more to buy once I finish the front off, but my oven is definitely retaining heat better!

[dbhansen]

A little more progress to report, finally. I finished applying the stone veneer, except for the grout. That was a hard 100-piece puzzle! Word of advice if you do something similar: start from the top and work down, to avoid spilling mortar onto the lower stones. It was a real pain to have to clean that stuff off after each stone!

Next comes the decorative arch and raising up the height of the cantilever. At this rate, I'm hoping to get done this year!

Daren

[mfiore]

Daren,

The stone work is outstanding. I really like how it's turning out. Aren't you sick of that big tarp?? I can't wait to be done covering the oven every night!