John's 42inch Aussie WFO Pompeii Oven Construction Discuss John's 42inch Aussie WFO in the Pizza Oven Design and Installation forums; The AUD $1,300.00 kit comes with Firebrick but I have seen their precast ovens in their factory. I am unsure ...

[John K]

The AUD $1,300.00 kit comes with Firebrick but I have seen their precast ovens in their factory. I am unsure of the cost. If you give them a call they are very helpful.

[ThisOldGarageNJ]

Hey John,
Welcome to the club, Lookin good so far.. Are the insulating bricks strong enough to support the dome ? I understand they can be cut with a handsaw, I am working on a home heater and was thinking about the insulating brick in the forebox.

Mark

[John K]

Hi Mark

The supplier actually recommended the bricks over the Vermiculite (probably as they make more $). I did ask the same question about strength to which he advised that as long as I mortared down the Insulation bricks that sit under the Walls of the oven I will not have any issues.

I have seen 20 odd ovens built by them/their customers (photos) that used bricks over vermiculite so can only assume that they are strong enough. I guess I will find out shortly!!!

I am unsure if your can cut these with a hand saw but can confirm that they are very light items.

How heavy will your fire box be? Will the load not be distributed across the Insulation evenly?

[ThisOldGarageNJ]

i just wanted to be see if the insulating fire brick could take direct flame ? I will Probaby put them behind the firebrick, better off i think.....

[John K]

Not sure about direct heat but I would be more than happy to send an email to the supplier and ask if you like?

Otherwise as you said place the insulation bricks behind the Firebricks.

[ThisOldGarageNJ]

Im wondering if the block are higher rated for insulation as vermic, will I get more insulation in less space,, dont worry I will do some more research here, appreciate the offer,,,
Mark

[John K]

You got me thinking so I jumped on their web site Field Furnace Refractories

And found this commentry under Insulation bricks. seems the lowest rating begins at 900oC.

INSULATION BRICK

Field Furnace Refractories is an agent for ISOLITE Insulating Firebrick.
The Insulating Firebricks have densities ranging from 0.50 -1.8 grams per cubic centimetre and temperature ratings from 900oC to 1800oC.

Isolite Insulating Firebricks have low thermal conductivity good cold crushing strength; low reheat shrinkage and excellent dimensional tolerances.

We can supply the insulating firebrick required for any furnace design to give optimum thermal insulation. Isolite IFBs are used as back up and as a hot face in a myriad of furnaces and kilns.

[John K]

Hi all

I am trying to purchase a Bricksaw somewhere in NSW and am hoping somebody has one they would like to sell or can recommend a cheaper unit I could buy.

This is holding me up from beginning the dome and cooking floor construction.

Cheers

John

[John K]

Whilst I am trying to source a bricksaw to begin the dome I thought I would start on the "indispensible tool".

My brother Inlaw and I have found a ball joint nut that we have modified and will be used as the central pivot point. A length of steel rod has been cut to the appropriate size and a threaded hole drilled to one end of the rod.

The ball joint nut is then screwed to the rod and allows for 360 deg movement

On the other end we have welded a standard nut to the steel angle which then screws in to the rod.

[nissanneill]

Hi JOhn,
these devices that were initially made popular by Paul (Hendo) Henderson (deceased) are good if you want a perfect hemispherical dome and take a lot more time to build your oven. I spend some time after Paul died finishing off his oven with his brickie (Dallas).
With a little care, you can build your dome in a weekend and have a very practical good performing oven. Yes, I had a commercial brick saw to cut the 120 or so fire bricks in had and finished the oven in a week-end. Check out my build at:

http://www.fornobravo.com/forum/f8/n...-1-a-2005.html (Neill's Pompeii #1)

Follow the prompts on the last post to follow it through completely.
I guess it depends on the individual as to what or how they want to go. The domes don't need to be 'perfectly symmetrical' to work well, as some have lower or higher domes for different cooking characteristics.
I also used a 9" angle grinder with a diamond blade but why not look at buying a 14" diamond blade through ebay and putting it in a 14" metal cut-off saw. With a fine water spray on the wet brick will not make much mess and safe and easy to cut for a minimum investment. Check out a "brick saw" search on ebay

Neill