My indispensible tool (a variation on a FB theme)

[mrchipster]

Originally Posted by Amac

Hi
Well at least I managed to put some version of the IT together - heavily borrowed from JCG31 except that I used a wooden (offcut from old oak floorboard) support angle plate and just screwed the plastic grip from the quick release clamp onto the back of the plate so I can slip the clamp on and off easily. The anchor end is an old castor. I can adjust it about a half and inch - this could be better with a longer threaded bolt.
Main advantage is that I was able to avoid any need for welding. I used wood as I couldn't find a suitabe metal plate - but I found that with a T-bolt on one side and nut washer for tightening on the other side made attaching the threaded bolt quite simple.
The only item I bought was the clamp. I did a quick test on one of the half bricks with the clamp attachaed and it seemed to work OK, Time will tell.
Aidan

The only thing I see that I might change on your design i is make the angled brick holder block narrower, as your chain height increases the bricks get much narrower at the inside of the oven and the wide brick holder will get in the way.

I cut mine down in width as I moved up because of this narrowing effect.

Chip

[Amac]

Thanks Chip I hadn't thought of that - I'll make another smaller replacement plate for the the narrower ones. I guess I can just use the clamp without having it physically attached or use spacers for the smaller cuts.
Aidan

[Amac]

Hi
Weather is still foul here (maybe I've stumbled on the reason why the outdoor WFO is unknown in these parts) so I am spending an inordinate length of time on the IT. My family think I've lost it a bit. I rebuilt it to make it bit more robust and also to narrow the holding angle plate as suggested by Chipster. I also included hinged boards on three sides to help centre it. Still managed to add a clamp holder by chiselling the back of the brick holder and screwing on a slotted aluminium plate. Apart from the side boards the tool is adjustable for any size from 35" to 42" but it should be easy to add small wedges to make up for bigger ovens. This one is designed for a 39" (19.5 radius). I also added a wooden Marker/pencil holder (pictured). Sooty is not part of the tool BTW Only thing missing is something to set the height consistently as I have noticed many builders have had a dip around the opening arch. Someone has used a laser level. Any other ideas?

[Gulf]

Originally Posted by Amac

Only thing missing is something to set the height consistently as I have noticed many builders have had a dip around the opening arch. Someone has used a laser level. Any other ideas?

[IMG][/IMG]

It works

[Archena]

Looks like a 'yes' to me...

[Amac]

Thanks for that Gulf - yes that was the one I had in mind - just lost track of it ploughing through everything in here so apologies for not attributing. I have one of those things somewhere - impulse buy, god alone knows where it is, I never found a use for it before. I'll root around and try an find it. I guess you have to move it around during the construction of a row?

[Gulf]

No problem, I can't keep up with all the info on this site either

I just set the level up in the back of the oven directly across from the arch. If it is set back far enough, the laser will shine on each side of the arch. I only had a couple of completed rows done at the time so that allowed me to set it up just out side of the dome with a clear line of sight. I used the dome guage to set a brick on each side of the arch and used that reference point to set the height of the laser level. I worked my entry in first and then came back and filled in the remainder after I had cleared the arch. I didn't have to move it around much, I just raised it up every row by adding another brick for it to set on.

Hope this helps.

[texman]

Refab of my IT. The angle iron width should be no more than 2", otherwise it will interfere with adjacent bricks. Also, the throat of the clamp was too deep in the original configuration. Mounting the second angle iron corrects the problem of the clamp. I like the steel of this IT but i think a wooden IT will perform just as well now that i am laying brick. The tool does not need much strength, it is more of measuring tool than anything.

Tracy

[texman]

version 3.0
added relief strips on top and bottom to correct the rounded corner of the angle iron and make removal from brick easier and get the rod centered in brick. moved the clamp. I think this one is good.
Texman

[man7sell]

Total rookie question as I'm getting ready to build one out at my property.
When you place the brick with this tool, how long does it have to stay clamped before you can move on to the next brick?