Phew!!! FINALLY!!! After a long drawn out process, the base for the oven is done! Overall, I am pretty happy with it and now I can start on the next part of the build. O.K. enough typing, here is the oven as of today. Lets start up front and go around clockwise. Click on any picture for a closer view.
A lot of the bigger corners required quite a bit of chiseling. Natural corners were hard to find. I tried to blend chiseled corners with weathered natural ones (when I had them) which kind of soften the lines…I am trying for an old look here. Another detail that I plan on doing is coating those bright looking keystones with Boiled Linseed Oil
Some corner shots……
The top course will actually have to be mortared in with another row of stone behind the face. This will serve as a bond beam around the top perimeter of the base for when I install the, um ……next design element. There is not even a trowel full of mortar in the stone base right now. I’ll reveal what the new detail is in an upcoming post!
Mason, my #1 helper, is happy that’s done!!! One step closer to wood fired pizza!! Don’t worry parents, I tested the arch right after I set the keystones, before the mortar was even fully cured. And if his 45lb frame caved in the arch, then I need to seek another profession…and run from his mom!!!
Thanks for sticking it out!! New updates to follow soon!
Stone Art's Blog says
Looking sharp Matt, nice to see some progress. Look forward to seeing the next step.
Matt Sevigny says
Thanks Sunny! Me too….we have rain today but I’ll be setting up soon.
Karl Kaufmann says
Got me inspired. May fire up my oven this weekend.
Matt Sevigny says
Hey stranger! I wondered if you checked the blog out. Your pictures always make me hungry!
Clark says
Looks great Matt —
I know you’re pumped about getting this done. Mason looks like he is too!
Matt Sevigny says
You are right about that Clark!
Jimaimai says
Wow! That looks amazing. A lot different from when I saw it. Great job!
Matt Sevigny says
Wow, back!!…what a surprise to see you here! Welcome and thank you!
Mellissa Sevigny says
No pets or children were harmed in the making of this pizza oven (yet). It’s looking great – can’t wait til it’s finished and we’re churning out delicious wood-fired pies again! Yummy!
Matt Sevigny says
We have a way to to before churning out the pies! Thanks for being a patient WFO widow!
Anna says
That’s some awesome stone work! Good decision to rebuild.
The cat seems pretty unconcerned…and they have a sense about that kind of stuff, dontcha know?
Matt Sevigny says
Thanks Anna! That is our outdoor/rescued kitty, Rusty. She fears nothing or nobody! I was glad she approved of the work!
Sean says
looking good Matt
Matt Sevigny says
Thanks Sean….I’m working on your idea for readers choice next.
Ches says
Nice. That is not only beautiful but it is good technical stonework, and the corners are great. I noticed how some of the corner stones slide into the wall, they will be there a long time.
Matt Sevigny says
Hey Ches, thanks for noticing that. Good looking stonework isn’t much if it falls apart quickly.
MzunguEriki says
Wow Matt. that looks really good. Inspiring! Can’t believe you are going to walk away from this one. Interested in what you will make the oven out of. Erik
Matt Sevigny says
Thanks Erik. Yeah, but I walked away from my other one, so it won’t be as painful this time. Plus, if we were staying here, I wouldn’t build the ribbed cross vault base for a long time!
J says
good work mate. worth the wait.
Matt Sevigny says
Thanks J..I think so too!
Joe Valles says
Hi Matt – Nice job. Looks like your inspiration might have been the Beckley Furnace? So funny – I saw thinking about naming my blog ‘Stone Soup’ at one time.
Joe Valles says
Make that ” I was thinking…”
Matt Sevigny says
Thanks Joe. I can see why you thought that….I just googled it and it does look like my inspiration. I lived only 16.5 miles from it but never saw Beckley Furnace in person. With so many other stone furnaces in the area I took it for granted I guess. Coincidentally, there is a business with almost the same name as yours only a few miles from the furnace location. Small world…
MzunguEriki says
1. Topic for you: foundations for dry stone walls, or none i just dig down enough and start the wall?
2. My god alot of people visit and leave comments on this blog.
Matt Sevigny says
OK Erik, I can do a post for that.
Matt Sevigny says
Oh, and I hope everyone keeps commenting….a monologue is no fun to me.