Math Midget

[130mountainside]

I am at row 5 and the process I am using to cut the taper and radius ain't 'cutting' it. I understand the string jig. I mark the brick with a string starting from the center of the oven floor to mark the radius cut, however, how in the world is the taper/angel cut measured?? (To avoid confusion, I am referring to the change in the vertical cut that is done tilting the brick). I know this brick should end up looking (front view) like a trapeziod, however, I am doig it by Trail and error- mostly error. I have studied Hondo's cutting tool, however, this slow mind just cannot wrap istelf around how to measure and trasnlate the compound cut. What is everyone doing?

HELP...Thanks. This forum has been very helpful.

[Les]

I had an idea, but we are dealing with brick. Trial and error worked for me. Granted, some cut's required 2 or three trips up the stool to check for fit. After a couple of brick, you will get a pretty good idea on the size of the shim you need to use to get the correct angle. On the upside, your legs are going to be in great shape.

Les...

[130mountainside]

Les,

I presume once you 'dial't in you set up the remaining bricks to the same cut? I am trying to make life easy with a jig....

[Les]

I tried to do that with a template and a shim. It looked good on paper, but the plan fell apart. To stay on bond, the cuts will get about 5/8 inch thick at the top - extremely hard to do by hand. If I had it to do over again, I really believe I could get closer - or buy the kit

Les...

[eprante]

130Mountainside,
Check out the build thread Geisen. He detailed a very simple way to cut the trapezoid shape bricks for the courses using some wedges and door shims from HD. I used his system and was able to adapt it as the angles changed as I got more vertical( thought the last 2 rings got away from me a little). Good luck.
Eric

[fxpose]

To minimize exposed mortar in the chamber, I plan on experimenting by making a sharper compound cut only on just one side of each brick, instead of cutting a trapezoid shape.
I can see this working in my head.

[Neil2]

That's what I did - just cut / bevel one side. Once you get going you will get the hang of judging how much bevel to slice off. This will change slightly with each row if you are doing a semi-elliptical dome.

[GianniFocaccia]

Wow...what a concept. According to Les, a 5/8" bevel on each side of the brick (depending on the course) would suggest a noticeable non-vertical joint.

The mating of beveled-sides and non-beveled sides match up ok?

The immediate benefit I can see with this approach is fewer cuts not to mention that one larger cut should be more accurate than two smaller cuts.

[fxpose]

Originally Posted by GianniFocaccia

The mating of beveled-sides and non-beveled sides match up ok?

Well, yes and no. As the 2 bricks are angled towards you as you look straight at them, then yes, they appeared to line up. But there was a slight offset where the beveled cut and non-beveled cut meet, at the bottom. When I saw this, I scrapped the idea and went with the trapezoid.

George

[Les]

Originally Posted by GianniFocaccia

Wow...what a concept. According to Les, a 5/8" bevel on each side of the brick

No - what I meant was that at the top of the dome, the bricks will be around 5/8 in wide to stay off bond (the bricks will get thinner and thinner as you climb). The angle cuts on each side of the brick was around 3/16 of an inch.

Sorry for any confusion.

Les...