First Chain On the Dome - Set With Refractory Mortar - August 2024

Back a couple weeks ago, I shared the latest pizza oven build project update:  I set the floor and the first chain of the dome.  I went with an isolated floor, so the first 'chain' of the dome is set at the same height as the floor.  But, instead of being set on a 50/50 blend of mason's sand and fireclay, I set the dome chain with refractory mortar - BETWEEN - the joints.  

Today, I'm sharing how the dome is going vertical.  Thanks to my brother-in-law (not Equation Boy/Man, rather on Nat's side), I have an indispensable tool (IT) or dome gauge that allows me to easily set each brick of the dome at the right distance and angle.  You can see it in the first photo below.  

The other thing that I did was to cut-down the Masonite template that I used to create the floor and placed it *inside* the dome to keep the floor clean from errant mortar and what-have-you.  I'll pull it out when the dome is complete.  

The first photo shows an in-progress look at the first vertical chain and the IT.  The second two photos show the outside view.  

The next two photos below shows the vertical profile of the oven.  Starting with the reinforced concrete hearth, then - going up - the ceramic tile (laid upside-down).  Followed by two, two-inch layers of CalSil insluation.  Then....two courses of Alsey Medium-Duty Firebrick.

According to the spreadsheet, it takes the soldier course PLUS twelve (12) chains to close the dome.  Thirteen (13) in total.  At this point, I have two done.  2/13 = 15%.  Not bad.

The next steps are just a repeat of this first vertical chain.