Wood Form Finished!!

I was finally able to track down some 3000 degree mortar in Pittsburgh. So I reformed my firebox grate system and touched up my side loading door using the mortar.

And I finished up the wooden form!!!!!

Trying to take care in finishing up all the details.

Next step is to brick the actual Kiln form!!

Kiln Progress

The wooden support form is now almost completely on! I just have to tie it into the brick loading door...

Had a minor setback...while working on the frame I was inside the Kiln standing on one of my firebox grate arches....and it collapsed underneath me...

So I now have the opportunity to redo the firebox grate arches and make them stronger.

Loading Door!!!

I was able to mortar down my loading door today!!

Next is to finish building the wooden form for the Kiln arch!

Back at it!

So after spending the winter in Oregon working with and learning from the Astoria Dragon Kiln, I am back in Ohio continuing to work on my own wood-fired Kiln. First step was to put up the wood arch forms with the side loading door to build first. To help envision the door, I put together a maquette of the arch to reference while I build. Next I have to clean the arch bricks and cut so many in half, then I get to build it!

I also found a little Wren nest in a box of broken soft bricks by the Kiln.

Finally!

The base for the Kiln is finally completed! I built the firebox walls up to level with the second loading chamber for strength of walls. On top of this base will be the arched top of the Kiln.

Also finished is the base for the side loading door and the smoke trail and start of chimney!

Next is to build the wooden arch form to go over the entire Kiln!

First Fire in Kiln!!

I decided to burn out the wooden arch support in the firebox before I built the kiln up any higher. Just in case the arch failed and I would have to rebuild it, I wanted to be able to easily get into the firebox.

But the arches held!!!!!

Now to celebrate I am drinking Sake!

Bricks and more Bricks!!

Completed the back wall and smoke trail! Built the chimney up 12 levels and I will leave it there until the rest of the kiln is completed and finish the chimney last.

You can also see in the picture that I started work on the side loading door area. I will build it up to be level with the kiln floor.

The other picture is a November butterfly fluttering around the kiln!