Today I got to spend some time cleaning more bricks and got shut down by a big storm after about an hour. This part should be done tomorrow and then I’ll get started on figuring the size of the voussoirs for the rib arches. Once I am happy with that I’ll start cutting the granite…
The Mud Oven Diary pt1 – Layout of the oven footprint & Brick cleanup
I guess this is one way to keep this blog active, since there will be many steps in this build. Starting another separate blog crossed my mind but then Erik would probably implore me to move it back here like the pressed concrete walk through on CT. I’ll only mention his name once this time..I…
Of Stone, Mud & Pizza
I didn’t want to really post anything until some real progress was made but I saw Erik’s latest blog post and couldn’t help myself. I am starting my latest oven project today by laying out the footing! It won’t be another brick oven….only the floor will have fire-brick. No, this time the dome will be…
Bushing Hammer
Hammer Time! – A Stone Masons friend.
This post is in response to another request from my long distance friend Erik via email. The hammer – it was probably one of the first tools ever used and to this day it is an essential part of many trades. Think about how many depend on this humble but essential item. Blacksmiths, Carpenters, Stonemasons…
Two simple tools for flatwork
A couple of the most common outdoor features on a home is a walkway and/or a patio. Some are made of flagging…bluestone, granite, sandstone or limestone to name a few. Others are smaller units like concrete pavers or clay brick pavers ( SWB-severe weather brick ). Over time, the stone or pavers may need adjustment…
Wood Fired Oven – Footnotes
I thought a follow up post would be good since there were a couple of questions asked ( I like that!) and there are some things worth a mention that couldn’t be shoe-horned into the series. I encourage people to visit various sites like Forno Bravo to gather information on WFO construction. Really focus on…
Building my Wood Fired Oven – Construction walk-through pt4…Roof and final finishes
My friend Tom is quite the guy. He is a foreman for a company that installs metal roofing, gutters and generously offered to do my roof at no cost for labor or material…..in spite of my resistance to the offer. The original plan was copper…..for free. How about that for generosity? But once we decided…
Building my Wood Fired Oven – Construction walk-through pt3…Framing the walls and roof, Siding & Veneer
It was now early fall of 2008. Dad and Mom went back to SC shortly after the dome was completed and now it was time to close everything up before winter set in. We were in the Berkshire foothills and our part of the area is known to get cold early on. I knew I…
Building my Wood Fired Oven – Construction Walk-through pt2…Oven floor, dome & chimney vent.
Now that the two part slab is done, it’s time to lay out the oven floor, since this will be our next construction project and that is why the use of this stay OSHA compliant is necessary to process any irregularity during the process of construction. Having already determined that my oven diameter is 38,”…