Day 11

This weekend was all about cement - one ton of it!

Before we could start mixing cement. Tom needed to cut out all the center supports of each block on top of the oven foundation so that they could then be filled with cement and re bar.

Once the center of the block was cut on each side, it was easily knocked out with a hammer.

A complete open channel now existed around the
top of the oven foundation.

With the channel clear - the re bar is positioned around the top of the foundation. This will act as a support when the oven expands and contracts with each firing. The re bar will help stabilize the oven so the walls are not pushed out.

The re bar was then removed so that the channel could be partially filled with cement. Then the re bar was repositioned on top of the wet cement and then covered with cement. It would be totally embedded as shown in the photos to follow.

Small notches are now created with the saw on the inside two opposite edges of the oven foundation so that re bar can be laid across the opening. The notches will also allow for expansion and contraction of the oven.

Tom confirming that the notches would be wide enough to allow for the re bar to move back and forth.

After all this prep work, we were ready to start mixing cement. We were thrilled to find out that one of Tom's co-workers actually had a cement mixer that he graciously offered for our use for as long as we needed. What a blessing.

The mixing station all ready to go

The first section to be filled with cement is the center support column. I used re bar to work the wet cement down in to the openings and help to remove any air pockets. 

Hey - look what I was doing in 2006!

As I filled the channels with cement, Tom smoothed it out and positioned the re bar. He worked the cement in until we had it flush with the top edge of the oven foundation.

Smoothing out the cement in the channel. 

 Once finished, we had a nice smooth top.

We mixed and used a total of One Ton of cement!

After the cement had some time to set up, we took a piece of re bar and made an impression in the cement that will act as a channel for the re bar to be able to move as the oven contracts and expands when being used.

 

Time to say good night.

Tom and I are both very encouraged with what we got accomplished this weekend. Next weekend looks to be just as exciting and we look forward to sharing it with you. Thanks again for stopping. Thoughtfully, Kath & Tom