My indispensible tool (a variation on a FB theme) Tools, Tips and Techniques Discuss My indispensible tool (a variation on a FB theme) in the Pizza Oven Design and Installation forums; Afer posting my above response (post #50) regarding ceiling height I came up with an idea on another variation of ...

[fxpose]

Afer posting my above response (post #50) regarding ceiling height I came up with an idea on another variation of this ingenious indispensible tool. I drew up a couple of crude pencil sketches which perhaps better illustrates this idea. Perhaps someone has already done this or have come up with this idea, I don't know.
Obviously, by looking at the sketch, the ceiling will start to level off once you approach the last couple of courses by following this geometry.

[dmun]

You would get two intersecting arcs, and if carried to it's conclusion it would dimple down in the center, not that there's anything wrong with that. A builder recently did a rounded rectangle oven that had a flat on top. I was sceptical, but it seemed to work. Brick ovens are very forgiving of geometry.

A true eliptical indispensable tool would have two pulleys mounted on the lazy susan, and a sprung arm pivoted in the center with a pulley near the top, the three pulleys would be connected by a loop of cord or line. I think just having a thumb screw length adjustable slide on the arm would do the same thing with less work. After all, you only need to adjust it once for each ring.

[Gromit]

fxpose,

Indeed, another builder has used that variation just recently:

http://www.fornobravo.com/forum/f8/c...oven-7630.html (Colorado oven)

[fxpose]

Originally Posted by Gromit

fxpose,

Indeed, another builder has used that variation just recently:

http://www.fornobravo.com/forum/f8/c...oven-7630.html (Colorado oven)

That's fantastic! That's the jig I'll use.

[cuda]

fxpose,
You are correct in that for a flatter roof, the angle does change slightly with each course. If a hemispherical dome is built, there's no need to change it - the right angle holder is correct. But, in doing an ellipse, I just measured and shimmed for the correct angle and let the holder support the brick in the vertical plane, instead of clamping it tight to the inside of the bracket.

[3G_]

Nice work, these jigs look awsesome. i just bought a castor wheel and a quick clamp to build my jig with. I had a thought, which has probably been covered already, but if i bring the clamp end in 1/8th of an inch for each course this should bring the top of the dome in flatter. I will probably stick to a true half sphere but just an idea.

[cecilB]

You know, I'm getting so nervous every time I read about someone inventing a tool to put the perfectly cut bricks at exactly the right angles.
How many of you successful oven builders used these tools?
What if I don't?

Anyway, I haven't even started on the dome yet - I need to get out of my kitchen and quit cooking and baking so I can work on the oven!

Cecelia

[fxpose]

This is such a simple guiding tool, how can it not work? I most certainly intend to use it on my build.

[cecilB]

It's not that I think it can't work - I am wondering what happens when you don't use it? Will my oven collapse? I will admit it's because once I start thinking about angles and such, I get nervous - I was a lousy geometry student!
Eyeballing is probably what I was thinking about doing - also making a form.

hmmmm.

Cecelia

[fxpose]

Originally Posted by cecilB

Eyeballing is probably what I was thinking about doing - also making a form.

Hi,

There's absolutely nothing wrong with eyeballing, but the tool, like using a form, will help place each brick more accurately than simply eyeballing.