Arch Work Continues

Since I had decided to use mainly arch bricks for the construction of the arch, I now have to first gather them from the old pottery, haul them here, clean them, lay them on the previous layer of brick, measure out and cut the bricks to make the rounded Kiln form, THEN lay them down with mortar...

I am now 10 rows up the arch on both sides (about halfway there!)

Brick by brick.........

Arch Work

The arch is slowly growing as I add layers to it. 4 rows up now on both sides... Have enough arch bricks to do a 5th row and then need to go and get some more. Slowly but surely this Kiln will be built!

New work!

So my kiln building has been on hold while I try and buy a truck. I have decided to use more arch brick for the rest of the Kiln, which means I have to go get them. I think I have this small setback figured out now and went and picked up 100 more bricks yesterday in my new truck!!!

Here are some pics of my latest work I brought back with me from Oregon. They were fired in the Astoria Dragon Kiln. Hopefully the next work that I show on here will have been fired in my own Kiln!

Bricking up the arch!

Mortared down the first layer of bricks for the Kiln arch. Have to cut several brick on each row to gain the rounded shape of the Kiln, but not a problem using a Skilsaw and a Diamond tipped blade!

I see that I will need more arch brick though....

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!