Aussie 42" Build - looking for Inspiration!!

[hammo7]

Hi All.
I have started my build after getting all of my gear ready.
I have a 6" foundation, double brick stand and another 6" slab for the hearth. On top of that there is a 50mm Vermicrete base, a 50mm Calcium Silicate Board layer then the 305x305mm floor tiles.
The bricks are 230x115x75/63mm and I have spent a day cutting them all in half (except for the ones for the arch).

What I can't seem to work out is should I lay the first ring on the sides or on their ends keeping in mind that they have already been cut in half.

Would also like to see how other people have done their transitions, the opening will be the recommended 12" x 19" (this will be the high 20" oven) and will have a reveal of approx 1" all the way around.

The reveal is doing my head in. Everything else seems to be falling into place.

Thanks in advance guys and gals!!

PS. Sorry about the crappy phone photos..

[cobblerdave]

Hi Hammo7
Let me be the first to tell you Congrats on your progress!!!
You have done your homework well and the discription of your work to date is spot on...you know the language well.
If your worried about the transition from arch to dome....go to Karangi dudes build in the Aussie section for inspiration. Check the photos out you'll find his use of the indespensible tool to mark out and cut the arch bricks a great help.
Wouldn't be to worried about the revel at this stage..... by the time you have finished an arch and dome you'll be a pro and will be able to do it with ease.
I see from the photos the first layer of bricks is below the hearth level...just lay another layer straight before you start you curve?

Regards Dave
PS Pics are alright if your worried ther a little dark everyone else takes there shots at days end too!

[hammo7]

Hey Dave.
Thanks for the congrats and the confidence booster!! I was going to do what you had suggested with the second row tonight, but CBF'd knocking up a batch of homebrew so didn't even get the first row in!

Will get stuck into it on the weekend, hope to get atleast 4 chains up!

Cheers,
Hammo.

[brickie in oz]

Originally Posted by hammo7

then the 305x305mm floor tiles.
.

They seem to have a beveled edge, or is it just the photo?

It seems a lot of extra work to cut the floor inside the dome, I would have laid the dome on the floor.

[hammo7]

Hi Al.
The bricks are tapered - they are 75/63's.
Wasn't that hard to cut the floor tiles. That way It will be easiet to replace bricks if they ever crack/break.

Cheers,
Hammo.

[Karangi Dude]

Hi Hammo,

Just noticed your thread well done you are progressing well.
Do you have any straight bricks? if you do I would IMO take out the tapered bricks and replace with two courses of half bricks before starting the oven curve.
Hammo are you planning on using the 75/63's all the way? as they are more expensive than the straight also how do they fit the curve that you are plannig?

Hammo I lived in Wangaratta before I moved up to Coffs, I have a Son and Daughter that live in Wang.

[hammo7]

Hi Karangi Dude.

I don't have any straight bricks, they are all the 75/63's. I think I ended up paying $2.50 or $2.75 each.

The tapers fit the curve well, I will still have mortar joints going around the oven, but minimal joints going up the chains (if that makes any sense).

I really like your 48" build, how is it going so far? I would like to replicate the reveal and opening. I also like the way you have kept it clean during the build.

Wang is not too far away, I work with 4 people who commute each day.

Cheers,
Hammo

[GianniFocaccia]

Hammo,
Since all your bricks are tapered, can't you just rotate the next course of bricks to angle 180* from the brick below? If not, you could place all the bricks with the large end facing in and fill the gap on the outside with mortar - at least for the few initial courses that will make up your vertical walls.
As far as acquiring advice from a 'local' mentor, you lucked out. You can't get any better than Doug.
John

[Karangi Dude]

Hammo,
When you worked out the curve did you start from the top of the hearth or from the top of the insulation? if you started the curve from the insultion as per your pic then just keep going it will work out OK.
If your plan was to start at the top of the hearth do what John suggested rotate the next course of bricks to angle 180* from the brick below.
Then start the curve and make up the difference as you go.
Hammo, make yourself a cheap dome gauge (indispensable tool) for ckecking the angle as you go, also for keeping the oven nice and round.

[brickie in oz]

Originally Posted by hammo7

The bricks are tapered - they are 75/63's.

The floor tiles man, the floor tiles.