Elizabeth's oven

[egalecki]

It goes more slowly than I wish. The arch was nearly the death of me- trying to get the bricks cut the way I needed nearly made my head explode. At the top on the right and left, I have 2 bricks combined in a trapezoid sort of shape, to be wide enough to support the 1/2 bricks in the arch. I had to cut one off at an angle so it didn't encroach into the dome area, and my saw wouldn't do it. I finally got a blade for my husband's 10 inch chop saw and did it with that. Dusty as all get out, but it worked.

Then, my lack of mason's skills was manifested during the building of the arch. Not enough hands and I never seem to get the mortar the right consistency. I'm only making a little up at a time, so it doesn't go hard on me, but all told, I think I would rather mix up mortar for tile any day! More predictable, and I don't have to stick it on something and then turn it upside down....

I have a bit of the second ring done too. I'm using Ken's string system to align the brick, it's working well. I am also using an ungodly number of shims to get the correct angle.

Lots of cutting tomorrow so I can go faster on the dome- I'll try to get better pictures too.

[thebadger]

Elizabeth,

Looks great...

I think the arches caused me great angst as well. What I did was used a styrofoam form and place all my bricks in place with wedges to space the accordingly. I then just pushend in mortar from the front and packed it in. I waited awhile, took out my shims and packed in mortar from the back. I used a small trowel and my "gloved" hands.

I'm sure masons are 'rolling over' but this worked for me...

Keep up the great work.

Dick

I haven't official finished, but already I see what everyone says in that it doesn't matter what it looks like.

[PizzaJNKY]

Looks really good Elizabeth. Enjoy your build, because its over before you know it. Now that I'm done with all the hard work, I actually miss the struggles.

[egalecki]

Originally Posted by PizzaJNKY

Looks really good Elizabeth. Enjoy your build, because its over before you know it. Now that I'm done with all the hard work, I actually miss the struggles.

Ha! I think I will be struggling afterward with sourdough and its mysteries, achieving the perfect crust, and figuring out how to get more in the oven than will fit!

[PizzaJNKY]

Ha! I think I will be struggling afterward with sourdough and its mysteries, achieving the perfect crust, and figuring out how to get more in the oven than will fit!

Good Point Elizabeth! I've started reading a bread making book and it feels like I need a PHD in chemistry to bake...If you ever figure out sourdough mysteries, please let me know.

[egalecki]

I am so frustrated I could scream! It keeps raining and raining. My oven looks like a bird bath (or a mosquito nursery). It sits forlornly under its blue tarp, waiting for a window of opportunity to work on it. I feel like I'm going to mildew.

Hard to complain when we were way too dry last year, and technically still are, but geez. I can't ride, either- my horse objects to going out in mud up to his knees...

so what do frustrated oven builders do when they can't build????

[Modthyrth]

Hey Elizabeth--

I'm gearing up to do my hearth pour, and I really like what you did with the metal decking. I've tried looking in my local Home Depot and Lowes, but they don't carry such a product. What kind of place did you get yours?

Sorry to hear about all the rain. I'll be gearing up to work on my dome just about when monsoon season hits, so I expect I'll know your pain soon.

[egalecki]

I got mine at a building supply place in the big city nearby- you're looking for the steel which goes under concrete decks, essentially. You'll need to contact someone who does a lot of concrete forming to find a source, maybe. Your local concrete supply may know, and your local building supply stores (the real ones, who serve building contractors, not diy-ers) can also help.

Premium Steel

This is the place I got mine- we found it through building homes which had elevated porches, garages, etc. (not a whole lot of flat land in the mountains!)

the sun has abruptly come out- maybe I'll be able to work a bit this afternoon!

[asudavew]

Looks good Eliazbeth.
Have you thought about buying an awning to put over your oven so that you can build during the rain.
I picked one up recently at H/D.
It was 49 bucks and sets up quickly.
It's all one unit but hinged. You just open it up like a big accordion and Velcro the "roof" on!.

Here is a link to one that resembles it.

EZ Up Canopy, Pop Up Canopies & Custom Event Tents | BuyShade.com

Hope this helps.

Dave

[Modthyrth]

Thanks so much, Elizabeth. I found a local supplier--now I just need to figure out exactly what it is I need (they really don't want to be helpful on the phone). Do you happen to remember what gauge your steel was?