Got crack!

[dusty]

Two small cracks have developed while re-curing my dome. They are small, in fact I can't even see them now that it has cooled, but they were there yesterday at 400 degrees. I am not even concerned with the one down the left side. Some furnace caulk gooped on there will do the trick. But the one in front came down and cracked my front arch right next to my river-rock keystone! It is small, but right in front and unacceptible!
I am thinking that I should try to put some mortar in that one (on the inside arch) when it is hot so it can't close back up, and then hammer out my keystone and re-set it.
And thoughts or advice?

Thanks,
dusty

[Ken524]

Sorry to hear about the cracks, Dusty. Can you post some pictures?

[dusty]

Originally Posted by Ken524

Sorry to hear about the cracks, Dusty. Can you post some pictures?

Thanks for your condolences, Ken. I will get the camera out there for the next fire - maybe later today. I was just out there and found no signs of a crack. They disappeared. I'll take a "before" and an "after".

dusty

[dusty]

Got today's fire,#5, to just over 500 degrees. I took some pics of my cracks.
The first two are before, the last two are at 500 degrees. Seems to draw good at least.

dusty

[gjbingham]

Dusty,
Very similar to my cracks, though I've got two good ones in the dome (that I can see). One goes right through a brick, just like yours does. I never would have guessed that would happen. The expansile forces must be pretty awesome while heating.

Regarding the arch crack, my cracks seal up as the dome cools, just as yours. I would think that the arch crack would close before the bricks got anywhere near a temp. that you could actually get mortar in there before all the moisture sizzled out of your mix. Someone mentioned shimming a crack while it was hot, then filling it once cold. I think that would just give the existing crack a new baseline from which to expand, and possibly make things worse.

My own gut reaction to your problem is to finish curing the dome, then do several really hot cooking fires, then repair any real damage.

George

[dusty]

Originally Posted by gjbingham

My own gut reaction to your problem is to finish curing the dome, then do several really hot cooking fires, then repair any real damage.

George

Yea... but how?

[DaveHI]

I put up a long winded reply in Carioca's "crack" entry. Might want to check that out.

wasn't that hard to fix and didn't cost much.

[dusty]

Been watching it rain for three straight days. Dyeing to light my 6th curing fire so I can get it hot and repair my front crack. Then I can set my front keystone again (got a tad irritated and knocked it out with a hammer), set my chimney, and then watch some doughballs rise!
I have set a goal. Pizza by valentines day. Since I started this "outdoor kitchen" project, I have recieved lots of help and support from my family and friends. I plan to have a small pizza party and plan on inviting all of those folks, and my next-door-neighbor who hasn't yet griped about all the dust or noise.
Fact is, I couldn't have done it without you guys. If ANYONE is not too busy, I'm thinking Sat. 2/9/08. Love to have all of you. Acoma? Bring the whole family. It will be a trial, but it HAS to be better than that Windy City debacle! Telehort?, love to have you. George, Dave, Ken, Frances, Sarah, Jim, Steve, Wayne, Inishta, RT, Hawaii Dave, and all the rest, I would be thrilled to have all of you. I know it's late notice, but it is sunny California! Did I mention the rain? Oh well, sure to be sunny again by Feb. We have a big house.

dusty

[Inishta]

Thanks for the invite Dusty.............I'm sure you'll have a blast.............Don't forget the photographs.

Unfortunately there is a small matter of 7,000 miles....................

[Frances]

That is so cool!

I'd love to come, but I'm afraid I've got the same wimpy excuse as Inishta (give or take a couple of miles)

Actually we were recently discussing that we might visit to the US with all our kids in a couple of year's time - take you up on it then?

Anyway, do make sure to take photos, so we can see what we missed...