Les' Build

[SpringJim]

Nice new Avatar....

[Les]

Thanks Jim - it's all about the fire.

Is there anything easy about this project (except making fire, that was cool). I thought I could simply cover the lath with foil to prevent the vermiculite from escaping - not. The wind blew it all over the yard. Plan B: cover this first course with mortar and pour it in - then go to the next level. Working with this lath is like playing with a box of razor blades.

Les...

[dvonk]

Why do you need vermiculite over the blanket?

[Les]

Overkill - more is better. If I can come out 48 hours after a fire, and cook something, that would be awesome (maybe just heat up a can of beans ) My weak point is the door - I was planning on 4 inches but the math doesn't allow it unless I get really creative. Anyway, it was in my plans - I feel compelled to follow it.

Les...

[dvonk]

I've meant that if your need extra insulation just go for the second layer of the blanket - it's much more efficient and easier to deal with compared loose insulation.
I've run my oven twice, the second time I've use a door to seal the heat in - and it was pretty hot two days later. One 4" layer of blanket was just bit warm. I'm going to cover it with a second one and go for stucco.

[Les]

I used 2 rolls of 1 inch blanket. In some spots I am 3, maybe 4 inches thick. I didn't feel comfortable laying the stucco onto the blanket - seems to be a weak spot for cracks. That's why I built the frame out of steel, just my approach.

Les...

[dvonk]

The idea of the frame is clear, sure
ps. my blanket is 2 ply, one layer is about 4"

[egalecki]

How did you get such nice bends on the rebar? Mine always look like a drunk did them.

The metal lath can be extremely sharp indeed. Be very careful with your knuckles when you are applying your scratch coat. Several years ago I did a faux stone fireplace for a house we built, and my poor knuckles just didn't have skin for days. That was with gloves. Went thru several pairs- unlike the usual, where I wear out the palm side, I tore off the backs!

Your whole project is so well done, you should feel a tremendous satisfaction in it! Even if you're just heating up a can of beans... (which will need to be vented, btw, unless you wanna clean up bean mess...)

[Les]

Elisabeth - I have a picture of the jig I made in the photo gallery. Took a little bit of muscle to form it but not too bad. If I could have bought the 1/4 in instead of 3/8, it would have been a lot easier.

Dvonk - I didn't enjoy working with the 1 inch product, don't know how you did 4. That is some serious insulation.

Les...

[Les]

Do not do this!

I failed miserably. I thought if I made the mortar thick, I could skim it and then pour in some more insulation - WRONG.

The lath flexes and the mortar will drop into the cavity. I want to try and use a vermiculite/portland mix to add more insulation (I don't believe I need more but it was in the plans). For those that have been here, whats the best way to mix it. Bucket/wheel barrow? I believe I read that it is a 5/1 mix.



Thanks.

Les...