Hi all from Aussie

[robertjusher]

HI
Have you priced going a full castable dome, $40 a bag and a lot of bags required to get 900mm ID that I am after. Fire brick build is almost cheaper at $3 a brick.
I am afraid to add up what I have spent so far and thats just the slab and base.
I spent a lot of time going with the sand dome idea till I priced castable, and have been convenced that home brew castable is a poor option.
My full castable was to be build on a fire brick base with brick for the first course. So brick work was still to be done.
I know I am no brick layer (my block work is proof) but I have seen brick ovens from amazing master cut jobs to almost no cutting and lots of mortar jobs and they all cook well.
I will post some pics of my build so far

[robertjusher]

Here's about where I am up to before the rain beat me. I hope to get some done but everything is so wet, might at least clean up the site a bit..

[david s]

"but I have seen brick ovens from amazing master cut jobs to almost no cutting and lots of mortar jobs and they all cook well."

An italian friend of mine built a brick oven using half, solid red bricks, cut with a bolster (rough edges out). He used wooden wedges under each brick on the outside, placing each brick against a sand castle in the middle. Went through heaps of homebrew mortar, but it was an easy way to build and far less labour than cutting each brick. Apart from not taking my advice about insulating under the floor, which he had to later retrofit, he's ended up with a pretty good workable oven.

[Aussie Pete]

My father in-law is helping me with the build, and he already has the blanket and 7 bags of the refractory cement, so.....its a pretty cheap option for me the moment.
If i was to build another oven, i think i would go the full brick type, something like "Brickie in Oz's" oven, (i think its the gargoyle that makes it the best oven ever).
Rob, your base is lookin fine from here.
Dave..thanks for the advice on the bondcrete, but unfortunately i'm passed that stage of build, i just hope i dont have too much probs with that side of it.
I wonder if theres anything you can paint on the besser blocks for rising damp?. I'm going to render the whole base anyway.
Yeehaa...rain has stopped, i'm off to cut some tiles

[brickie in oz]

Originally Posted by Aussie Pete

on the bondcrete, but unfortunately i'm passed that stage of build,

Just as well because Bondcrete isnt a water proofer, its nothing more than PVA glue with a high price tag.
Bondcrete FAQs

[david s]

OK thanks, seems you have to use Silasec and GP portland cement or similar product. Thanks for the correction,Al

[brickie in oz]

No probs Dave, you like putting me in my place so I reciprocate.

[robertjusher]

Has anyone used hebal for underfloor insulation?
Thats my current plan. Seems easy cheap way of doing it. 600x200x75 is $4.50 at Masters.
Just set in place and lay floor bricks right over the top of it. I got a piece and drove my work ute over it, It did crack a bit on the ends but held up with out crushing.

I have not thought about rising damp. Too late for me to worry now!

[david s]

Originally Posted by brickie in oz

No probs Dave, you like putting me in my place so I reciprocate.

Touche, Al

[brickie in oz]

Originally Posted by david s

Touche, Al

Thats funny.... at least we agree on one thing....