Making Progress in Montana Brick Oven Photos Discuss Making Progress in Montana in the Good Background Information forums; Sharon - Looks like you are going with a full length soldier course (other than the taper)? Great progress by ...

[JoeT62]

Sharon -
Looks like you are going with a full length soldier course (other than the taper)?

Great progress by the way! I am currently in the "how do I fit this round peg into a square hole?" stage (ahhhh the benefits of the corner install!)

Joe

[Archena]

Originally Posted by dmun

Don't forget the eBay rental plan, you can often sell the used tool for a large fraction of what you paid for it. It can be cheaper than a rental, and you get to keep it for as long as you need it.

Advertise it as used for one weekend home project. Tell the story. Show pictures of the oven. Ebay buyers love stories. It also helps to keep the original packing. It makes it easier to ship, and makes it look well taken care of.

Oooohhh!!! I like that idea!

[swripley]

Joe,

Yes, I went with a full height soldier course. To get the angle I went with the full 9” on the outside and 8” on the inside. I will start laying courses today so we will see if my calculations were right. Nothing like a little trial and error.

S

[swripley]

Wade,

Originally Posted by wlively

I used KS-4, see my post on your other thread.

I have the manuf specs for curing a KS-4 casting. I can post or email it to you.

Thanks for the offer, but I was able to find the curing specs on line. My sister is a ceramic artist and has a huge kiln that is computer programable. I gave her the specs and she assured me it would be easy. Set the computer and walk away. Come back the next day to a finished product! It's good to have realatives with great tools.

Originally Posted by wlively

I took the left over foam board, bought a can of 3M spray adhesive and glued a rough shape. Then took a saw and cut a more exact shape, then sanded to final.

What did you use for your final form? You foam board usage got me to thinking - I have quite a bit of 1" polystyrene left over from my dome forms. I'm thinking about using it to build my vent form. Seems like it would be rigged enough a very easy to work with. Any thoughts from the master out there?

S

[wlively]

S

Here is a picture of my plug I was talking about. I know I was too ambitious. Anyway it turned out well, even after a mishap which made me pour it in two sections. For the outside walls I used left over sections of pink board as well. Plenty stiff enough for the form. KS-4 is pretty stiff anyway, so I really only had to form 2 sides and pack the KS in. Then I was going to place the sides on, but turned out I didn't need to. Nobody was going to see how ugly it looked.

[swripley]

So close to finishing the dome and ran out of bricks! I'll pick up a few more in the morning and try to finish off tomorrow evening.

It may not be the prettiest dome but I'm very proud of it. Almost as proud as I am of myself for not chucking the brick I had in my hand when my husband said some of my bricks were crooked or when my neighbor told me my mortar was messy. Everyone's a critic! I bet they'll be the first two in line when I fire this baby up.


I haven't talked myself into casting my vent yet. I think I will wait until the opening is completely done so that I am certain on my dimensions. Was able to find stainless steel needles locally though so I have everything I need. Best part is I got them for free. They supplier I got the KS-4 from had a couple of extra pounds hanging around from a sample a rep gave him years ago so he gave them to me. I love free! If all goes well I should be ready to cast by the end of the week.

Here are a couple of photos of my progress thus far.

S

[JoeT62]

Looks like great work to me! Mine is a lot messier than that (midway through the 4th course).

I was reflecting on the fact that as a beginner mason, my first project involves creating a self supporting dome out of firebrick and refractory mortar! Perhaps I should have practiced on something a bit more basic first.

[Archena]

I practiced on a flower bed! Three whole courses high (the middle course is laid perpendicular to the other two)!

Next time I'm moving up to actually using mortar!

[swripley]

Yes, nothing like jumping into the deep end of the pool! But I have been surprised by how well it has gone.

I haven't spent a lot of time tidying up the outside mortar as it will never been seen again once I enclose the oven. But I have tried to be fairly meticulous about keep the inside as clean as possible.

S

[jwnorris]

Originally Posted by swripley

<snip> But I have tried to be fairly meticulous about keep the inside as clean as possible. <snip>

That's the important part.

J W