BA's Dome! Let the games Begin!

[Bandrasco]

Build Day Four-part two,

After the blocks were set I decided to use a a wall bonding agent I read about. Yes I know that I'm going to pore concrete in each hole and it's not necessary but I was having visions of my son, his friends, and a football and a large pile of blocks...
Out of mortar and I'm done!

My daughter thought it was funny that I couldn't get out that easily

Rebar in, site cleaned up, ready to head in.

[Bandrasco]

Build Day ??? No notes, just aches and pains I think this is day 5, evening of Wednesday the 22nd.

Concrete going in the holes, rebar getting cut.

More progress, more rebar, more concrete. Love those 80lb bags!

I hate this time of year when it gets dark so early. I managed to get this done in just under two hours. Daylight is gone, heading in.

[Bandrasco]

Build day Five part two,

I remembered that I decided to stay out late, fight the bugs and get the rebar done since it supposed to rain inches the next day.

Rebar complete

Yes I welded them. I could have wire tied them but hey, never pass up the opportunity to use ALL of your tools

Talk about making pizza with love! I was tired and getting silly.


Ready for form boards and concrete!

[Bandrasco]

BIG DAY;

I got up early and got the form boards up.
;

Got off work a little early, mixed the cement and putting the final touches on it. (cheesy photo op smile)

Done! Here comes the storm!!!

Boy Scouts paid off! Boy did it rain; we received at least 2 inches...

I'm done until Saturday; then it's Vermiculite time!

[Bandrasco]

Saturday the 25th;

This is actually Friday evening on the 24th. The tent worked perfectly! Curing nicely and staying dry.

That night I formed the base, mixed the Vermiculite, and called it a night. 4.5" of vermicucrete! Saturday it was strong enough to remove the form boards. I was too tired to take any pics during but it went smoothly. The vermiculite mixed easy; just weird stuff. I expected it to be more like screed mud but instead it felt a little rubbery.

Concrete going in around vermiculite. Deciding on which stone to use on the base. I'm leaning to the one on the right.

All the cement is in, troweled, and ready for a nice curing.

Done, heading in.

[Bandrasco]

Tuesday the 28th (I believe) Sorry, I cannot remember what night was what.
Did I mention how much I dislike this time of year when it get's dark so early? I managed to get the floor layed out, cut, and leveled. I used the 1:1 mix of fireclay and sand. I mixed it like thinset but let me tell you those bricks suck the water out of it soooo fast you need to have your level on top of it immediately! I also picked up a few new levels. I was wondering why my old level was never consistent...One side was level, the other side was off a quarter bubble... And I thought it was me...

I cut the first course and made a make shift gage to help keep me round and pitched correctly.

Closer shot of the gage and floor.

I decided to call this MOAH. Mother Of All Hearths! Holy crap that thing is huge. I guess I could use it for a bunker if we get a hurricane this way.

[Bandrasco]

Thursday the 30th,

I decided to take the day off but like I said in my other post that didn't work out too well.

I decided to go with a half brick soldier course as I wanted a little more room on the side walls. I also scrapped my gage as I didn't take in consideration that the length from the mounting hole was correct but the hinge doesn't bend at the hole so it was off by a half inch. I may still use it but I placed the tried and true string to help with the angle cuts.

Deciding on the arch/vent opening. I think this will work. Bricks are numbered, ready to be set. After I made most of my cuts I laid them out and realized that I was cutting them too much. Easily resolved by placing an uncut half brick every Fourth spot. I kind of like it now so I'll just say I planned it that way.

Blimp shot of the process

Close up of the arch vent landing

[Bandrasco]

Thursday the 30th,

Right half set. Very upset that the Heatstop-50 had rocks in it. I tried to keep my joints small as planned.

Close up of my arch vent landing

Inside floor/wall shot

Blimp Shot

Close up of joints

Well I've spent most of my day off posting pics; I hope I don't bore everyone with all of them. I need to get out and get something done!

Wish me luck,

Bill

[mfiore]

Bill,

Looks absolutely terrific. I'm looking forward to your build. Keep up the great work!

[Bandrasco]

Thanks Mfiore,

I just had one of those 'OH CRAP' moments and cannot get an answer. Yesterday I posted a concern for the Heatstop 50 and the fact that it had small BB's in it. I just went outside to inspect the mortar and I was able to wipe it off the backside of the bricks with a sponge and very little effort. I called CMS, Bob was not in and no one can answer me if this stuff is good or bad. I called Rumsford, they were very nice but again, no confirmation. I am getting "that doesn't sound right". I am very nervous and do not want to continue until I get confirmation. I made a small ball the size of a nickel last night. Just a few minutes ago I took it and was able to crack it into small pcs with my fingers and then rub them into sand... Am I screwed? I've never seen mortar do this, especially $70.00 a bag mortar!

I soaked my bricks until they stopped bubbling, spread the mortar and set them. After reading all the threads on how fast this stuff sets up I am absolutely amazed that this hasn't.

Any insight would be of great help; I'm at a stand still until I can get an answer.

Thanks again,