Mannextdoor WFO Brick Oven Photos Discuss Mannextdoor WFO in the Good Background Information forums; Wow...that's a great looking counter. I had no idea concrete could look like that nice. How exactly do you polish ...

[Breven]

Wow...that's a great looking counter. I had no idea concrete could look like that nice. How exactly do you polish concrete?

[mannextdoor]

There are a couple of ways to grind and polish concrete to make it look good. First you have to order your concrete with multi colored aggregate. Pick a base color. Then you buy a large hand held grinder with a water feed. A diamond grinding wheel and several diamond polishing pads of various grits. Just like sand paper, except made with diamonds. This counter was polished with 100 grit, 200 grit and with 400 grit after the initial grind. Then hope you can find enough of someone else’s concrete to practice on. It is not as easy as it looks. Or. If you have someone in your area that polishes concrete, hire it done. I was hoping to do this whole project by myself. I had planned on just pouring a colored concrete. A friend of mine told me about this guy who polishes concrete. I took one look at his work and fell in love. I checked the whole process out online and what it would cost for the tools. For the different in the price and knowing that I was going to get a great looking counter top. Compared to who knows what, with me doing it for the first time with no experience. I thought it was money well spent. I choose the later.

[mannextdoor]

I have been laying out my 42" oven in the shop. Making the arch opening to the guidelines. Height 12 to 13 inches and width 19 to 20 inches. Does that size opening allow a person inside for cleaning the bricks of any mortar that might be left on them after the build?

[egalecki]

well, mine's a tad smaller because it's a 36, but I did fit inside to clean up. Of course, I'm 5'4" and female... I haven't tried to stuff my 6' tall husband in. You may have to rent a small person. And provide a mask and safety glasses... it rains crap down on your face.

for me, the real question was how the @#$% do I get in there at all? I ended up having to go up my short ladder backwards, sit on top, and then lay myself down and scootch on my back to get in. And don't forget to have your arms up first, you won't get them in afterward!

[mannextdoor]

Where does the time go? I hope to have the oven built before he snow flies. Just about ready to move it outside and put some mortar to it. I did get a load of apple wood the other day. I am sure it will be cured by the time the oven is ready.

[mfiore]

Wow, the oven is off to a great start, even if it is off sight. I'm looking forward to your build!

[Frances]

Wow, that's going to be a pretty archway!

[mannextdoor]

That is the inside ach that the dome will rest on. I am not sure that the outside arch will be the same.

[Frances]

...its still pretty though ...

[mannextdoor]

Well I moved the oven outside today. I never seem to get as much done as I like or think I should. Insulation is down and the floor is set. It is not perfectly level. I hope it is ok. If not I will have to touch it up later. I mortared the arch opening and three bricks on each side. The sun set on that note. I am happy over all with the progress.