It's time to go Vertical

[RCLake]

So today I placed the floor down on top of a fire clay (dry slurry from cutting firebricks) and sand slurry. The weather is unusual for Jan with temp. in the 70s but winds in the 30s. In no time the slurry dried out and I was basically placing the floor on a dry sand/fireclay mixture. Given that the mix was to help level the floor I think I'm ok, but if a source of fireclay was close I would get it and put a wet mix of that only down.

I'm planning on using mortar on the outside circular cuts and the front landing area to keep those from moving.

[Kemo]

RC

what a wonderful view with the lake in the backdrop...that will make for a truly wonderful pizza experience!

[RCLake]

I mortared the soldier course in today with Heat Stop 50, not having used this before I made a small batch about 1 gallon and followed the bags direction. It called for 10 lb of mortar and 3/4 qt of water. It was dryer than h..., so I added half again as much water - still seemed dry but I went with it. It covered about 14 bricks but at the end it was way to dry. I doubled the water in the next batch and so much better It went on like peanut butter. I did remove the last 5 bricks from the first batch and redid them. Towards the end I ran out of mortar with 5 bricks left so I mixed up a small batch but it was a little dry at the end. So I'm worried I'll be removing the first 9 and last 5 bricks, we will see how it sets up overnight.

[Les]

Looking good! Is that Richland Chambers resorvoir at your backdoor?

Les...

[RCLake]

Yes it is, almost could go surfing the last three days. Though the water is probably about 55 degrees, years ago I did my scube certification in Feb with the water at that temp and never again will I do that. My college roommate used to dive under ice - go figure.

[gjbingham]

I did my certification in Puget Sound. 53 degrees. Brain Freeze!

Your project's looking great. Are you waiting to build the rest of the BBQ area until after the oven's completed?

G.

[RCLake]

Originally Posted by gjbingham

Your project's looking great. Are you waiting to build the rest of the BBQ area until after the oven's completed?

G.

Yes, WFO first and then with the stonework I will tackle the wings.

[RCLake]

Pulled off the tarp today and was pleasantly surprised that all of the mortar seemed to be very secure. I'm still going to double the water for the mortar. It goes on very easy and I still notice that by the end of a small batch the mortar is starting to dry out, could be the strong winds we are having.

I was surprised to see the inverted V between bricks show up on the 2nd course. Either the third course tomorrow or the arch and work on a support guide. Someone I know must have a welder!

[RCLake]

The winds have finally abated and I was watching the sunset and I noticed that my WFO is starting to look like a dome. Exciting.

[sarah h]

Somehow I've missed your thread up to now or I'd have commented sooner - wow, what a view! That's a beautiful setting for your oven. Great progress so far - keep up the good work!

Sarah