Pompeii Oven in Switzerland: the Saga Continues...

[Frances]

Thanks Jim! Not sure though, I'll mull it over.

One of the most difficult aspects of this whole project has been translating and finding the various materials. Mortar mixes here (and render and stucco, all called the same apparently) do not come with a list of the components (unlike flour for instance, which is clearly labeled... ). And DIY stores are chronically understaffed, and even if you do find someone to ask I doubt they really know what they're talking about...

People who do know what they're talking about look at me aghast and say "you can't build something like that yourself!" Well, apart from you guys.

I'll probably just go with a lime and cement-based mortar, make sure the rebar is covered as thickly as possible (its 8 mm btw, quite thin)... waterproof it, and there'll be a layer of mosaic over the top which will give added protection as well.

[gjbingham]

Frances,
At least inquire if they have an acrylic or other additive that will make it waterproof. It would be nice to get a solid waterproof layer behind you, huh?

[Frances]

Whoooo, today lends a new meaning to the work knackered...!

My long-suffering husband went to buy ten 40 kg bags of cement based stuff (can be used for outside walls and bathrooms, thought it should therefore be fairly waterproof...) and now, after hours and hours of hard work.... my oven looks just the same as it did before!!

I covered all the metal bits thoroughly, so I think it'll be ok. it feels ok, if that's anything to go by

And now of course the cement will have to cure (right Jim?), so no lighting the oven for a week or more. But weeeee, soon it'll be mosaic time!!! I can see light at the end of the tunnel! (that'll probably be the light shining down from the top of the chimney on the second picture...)

[RCLake]

This is looking good, what type of mosaic are you planning. I've seen the mosaic on 'kill da wabbit' oven, looks like a lot of work.
One of my wife's project during was the mosiac shown below. She states she do a mosaic on the front of my hearth, don't know type yet.

[gjbingham]

Looks good Frances. I can hardly wait to see what you come up with for a mosaic. Probably dragons breathing fire

[Frances]

Originally Posted by gjbingham

Looks good Frances. I can hardly wait to see what you come up with for a mosaic. Probably dragons breathing fire

...don't think I haven't seriously considered that! I wonder what I'm going to come up with, too...

Lovely giraffs Lake. Does she do a lot of mosaics then?

Can't find any decent pics of mine just now. Hmmmm...

[Frances]

...I was looking on the wrong computer, thats why.

The first is my mosaic armchair - on which I learnt why it is very important to use only frost proof ceramics... I suppose you can't make a leopard change her spots, but sometimes I do wish I weren't the kind of person who has to try something out before she'll believe it.

The second is a wooden box, about 35 by 25 cm.

[dusty]

Whoa! That chair is so cool! If you can get your mosaic oven to look anything like that mosaic chair, I say do it! That would be in fantastic.


dusty

[sarah h]

Wow, Frances, your mosaics are incredible - I love that armchair! With your artistry, whatever you decide to do on your oven will look amazing!

[Frances]

Thank you .

I saw a mosaic armchair in a book, and just knew I HAD to have one... a bit like the oven really...