Brick course spacers

[pizzaboy]

Is there a set wood spacer thickness for a 36" dome? I guess it would be a function of how many courses you have, but is there a standard?

[maver]

The spacer thickness varies from one ring to another. It depends also on what dome profile you use (low or conventional dome). It's easy to determine the spaces though, just lay your firebricks on a horizontal surface in an arch with the diameter you want and the dome height you want. You can use math (or a chain, read about caternary arches) to determine the ideal arch, or do as I did, just eyeball it. I used full bricks for my spacers, I averaged the gaps on the two sides, then cut 9" long wedges so that I had a handle to work with when building the dome with half bricks.

[pizzaboy]

Thanks, that makes good sense.