Elizabeth's oven

[egalecki]

I don't remember the gauge- the piece was 11 feet long by 3 feet wide- they cut it in half for me for free there. We had to trim it to fit later, but it was a whole lot easier to get two pieces at 5.5 feet into the van than it was to get 11 feet! It was heavier than what we'd used before, most likely overkill. If you tell them what the span is, and the thickness of the concrete, they should be able to figure out what you need.

We overlapped the two, using self tapping metal screws to hold them, and we did put a support under the hanging lip, just in case. You can see it all in earlier pictures.

When you cut it, be sure to wear goggles and ear protection. Unbelievably loud and lots of sparks.

[egalecki]

Dave,

I do have a tarp with poles, but it's like a fly, not an ez up. I'll have to look for one that has better stability. I was originally just looking for shade, since I burn VERY quickly, but if it's gonna rain like this, I'm going to need it for water too!

I hadn't seen one for $49, so I'll check it out. Thanks for the lead.

[Modthyrth]

Yeah, when I asked for advice, the man said in a patronizing voice, "Ask your contractor what you need. He'll know right away when you ask him." Grr. It didn't help my cause to explain that no, when I said that I was building a pizza oven, I meant that I was doing it. If I could find another supplier I would, but I suspect that's not the last time I'll get that kind of reaction.

I bought new earplugs today, and am eagerly anticipating the sparks. It's too bad that I'm the photographer in the family. I'd love a picture of that part of the process.

Time to dust off the algebra skills and do some google searches to figure out what their charts actually mean.

[egalecki]

Originally Posted by Modthyrth

Yeah, when I asked for advice, the man said in a patronizing voice, "Ask your contractor what you need. He'll know right away when you ask him." Grr. It didn't help my cause to explain that no, when I said that I was building a pizza oven, I meant that I was doing it. If I could find another supplier I would, but I suspect that's not the last time I'll get that kind of reaction.

Oh. That makes me mad. The guys around here haven't been too bad about MY doing it- but then, they all think I'm crazy for making an oven outside at all. I haven't had a single supplier ask me where my contractor or my husband is. The little man next door, well, he's another story.

My husband and I own a construction company, so I do have to deal with a certain amount of MC piggery, but I have always found that if you just behave as though it shouldn't occur to anyone to question what you say, they usually don't. And you have to develop a little thicker hide than normal for some things. Language, spitting, "plumber's crack", etc.

I hope you can get what you need without your head exploding!

[brokencookie]

[quote=egalecki;36952] for some things. Language, spitting, "plumber's crack", etc.
QUOTE]

I used to work for a general contractor during the summer. He had a no cracks policy for his subs. We did mostly remodel work and he would stress that we were in someone's home. He expected no foul language, starting and ending on time, and keeping the jobsite clean. When he spotted a "plumber's crack" he would calmly get a caulking gun and fill it No one ever had that problem twice.

[egalecki]

We had one guy who worked for a cabinet company who had quite possibly the worst case of plumber's crack I've ever had the misfortune to witness. Unfortunately, he also had a big scar on the exposed area, and I always wanted to ask how he got it.... He's been gone several years, and I still don't know.

I'll have to tell my husband about the caulk. He'll get a kick out of that one.

[egalecki]

I finally got to work on it again! I'm going to clean up my area some in a minute and then work some more today- I'm hoping to get it closed in before we go on vacation next Saturday. Then it can dry out for a week without me having to watch it dry....

So far-
tying into the arch hasn't been too bad. Good thing I got an angle grinder to help with that, though. The gaps (inverted V's) haven't been too bad so far, but I can see that I'm going to have to go to cutting the bricks into thirds at some point soon. Keeping it round is not too bad yet, using the amazing string.

At what point did you all decide to go to 3rds on the bricks? When the inverted V size offended your sense of propriety? When it got too hard to deal with placing the half bricks? Or will I know it's time when I get there?

[egalecki]

And some more pictures...

I have some internal odd looking bits where it hits the arch- from using odd shaped pieces that weren't quite long enough, I think. I'm not that worried about how they look, since no one can see them when I'm finished unless I'm cooking them...

One of the disadvantages of having a small saw is the sharp edges left when you break the brick the rest of the way through. My right knee is covered with scrapes and scratches from rubbing up against those sharp edges as I work my way around the dome, standing on the ledge... I guess I'll have to switch to long pants today and just deal with the sweat.

And before anyone says anything, yes, those are my feet, and no, I never wear sandals while I work!

[asudavew]

Originally Posted by egalecki

At what point did you all decide to go to 3rds on the bricks? When the inverted V size offended your sense of propriety? When it got too hard to deal with placing the half bricks? Or will I know it's time when I get there?

I would say you will be using thirds in 2 or 3 courses.
When you get tired of looking at the bigger V size......

Looks great.

Good luck getting it done before vacation! It will make it easier to leave it alone if you are gone.

[christo]

Looking super! The brick transistion to arch looks fine!

Christo