Sarah's Progress Photos

[sarah h]

Bonus! Was aiming to complete row 6 but made it half way through row 7 !

The first photo shows the fix for a mistake - there were some shims earlier on that got left too long, proving that refractory mortar is strong stuff - they wouldn't budge so we had to drill them out . No cracks or holes were produced in the process - big relief.

Next pics, row 7 (look close for my poor old dog in the last one) - very exciting to see the dome evolve - I was flagging a bit but I've picked up steam again!!
(and pulled all shims )

Sarah

[asudavew]

Dave gives it 2 thumbs up!

And to answer your question about firing up my oven....and patience...

After all the patience it takes to get as far as I have, it's just a small step to curing fires time. I still have plenty left.

as Ripley would say,

"Believe it or Not"

Keep going Sarah!
I am enjoying your progress.

[Frances]

You'll be catching me up soon, looks like. Lovely dome you're making!

I THOUGHT I was close to firing after I finished the dome, but it turns out I was only close to the puzzle of how on earth to make the flue transition... but I'll get there! (Somehow...)

[sarah h]

Thanks Dave & Frances!

Frances, I took the easy way out when it was offered and so someone else is making a metal 'funnel' flue transition piece for me ... and for free! If it doesn't work (or fit) I'll be back to square 1 with that part. I didn't really want a piece of metal there but since it won't be seen (eventually - once I'm really done), I can't see as it matters - long as it works.

I'm sure figuring it out is similar to the dome/arch transition - once you're there doing it, it all somehow falls into place, often in different ways for different people. Good luck with it!

I wrapped my baby up last night and left a light on inside - good thing, since it got cold last night and there was ice on the brick-soaking pool this morning ... not on my dome though! (Ice pic later)

Sarah

[sarah h]

We've made it to the end of row seven!

Here are some shots from today -

First, the ice in the brick soaking pool (bought originally to mix vermiculite concrete) this morning.

Next, row 7, done.

Then the evening cover-up to ward off cold and frost - the light inside, the foam workshop floor mats for some insulation and the tarp over the whole thing - it works ! The night temps for the next while will be warmer than last night so things should be good.

I'm hoping for 2 rows tomorrow night and contemplating taking the afternoon off on Wednesday to finish the dome - Halloween seems like a good time for it to be done!

We'll see ...

[sarah h]

Row 8 is now just about four bricks shy of being done. A bit frustrating, since I had hoped to actually finish the dome today but I just plain ran out of steam yesterday and didn't do anything. I worked all afternoon today but things just seemed to crawl - arrrghhh !!! That being said though, I estimate I've just got 4 more progressively smaller rows to go ! Is that the case for everyone - does it always add up to 12 courses? Seems that's what I keep reading about in everyone's posts ...

No pix - I covered everything early, even though it's actually a warmer night than we've had in a while, just in case of any Halloween mischief. I live on a corner, in a neighbourhood with tons of kids, and the oven is over toward the street-side fence line, but I'm likely just being over-protective and paranoid. My family considers me obsessed with my oven - they're probably right !

[Frances]

Oh yes, family complaining about oven obsession, I know that feeling!

Courses, well I finished at row 12 (I think), but since then I've been seeing all ovens with 13, 14 or more rows. This means that either my oven is a lot smaller than everybody else's or that my the bricks are bigger...

Sounds as if you'll be finished soon though, even with slower days. Keep up the good work!

[jwnorris]

Originally Posted by sarah h

<snip> My family considers me obsessed with my oven - they're probably right !

As soon as the pizza and other dishes start coming out of the oven, they will understand our obsession.

J W

[Gentcpa]

Way to go Sarah.

I'm working on my 13th course but I didn't do a soldier course, I did two regular courses instead plus I am tapering which adds courses. I will also go through 200 bricks on a 36" oven.

Obsession, I hear you and them on that part. I all of a sudden have way more interest in olive oil and tomatoes than I should. My wife though is now seeing something that is looking like an oven and is already planning on when I am going to have trial runs before we invite everyone over for my youngest boys B-Day party at the end of November.

[sarah h]

Well, it's slow going, but here are the latest photos.

Wish I could say that's fire inside a finished dome in the first one but it's just bedtime preparations for my dome at the end of row 7 !

Next two - row 8 complete .

Last one - inside the dome ... where it's very evident that the level of care in cleaning has slipped considerably as this process wears on - I've got some major cleaning to do! And it doesn't want to come off either .

One more row, then I install the ball - I have huge optimism that it will lessen the time to complete the last rows ... or the smaller diameter will ... or my wish to BE DONE will ... but, bit by bit, I'm getting there!

I'm now going to pour a glass of wine and contemplate whether we continue tonight or in the morning. I'll let you know ...