Tools!

One of the best things about a construction project is new tools! I couldn't do any work yesterday since it didn't stop raining the whole day, so I'll share some of my new tool acquisitions.

The first is an angle grinder. Always wanted one, but could never justify a reason for buying one. Now that I have to cut and grind bricks, I need one! I'll use this to cut the bricks to size to fit the dome.



The next one doesn't look so impressive, since its not a power tool, but this is the first time I use one and it is actually pretty cool. This is a chalk line, used for marking out long straight lines on walls, wood, etc. Much more efficient than using a ruler. It is a long elastic string that you anchor on one end, run it out to the other point you need to make a line to, you tighten the string, pull it away from the wall and let it snap back. The string is coated with chalk and when it hits the wall, it leaves a nice straight line. Pretty neat stuff!



Next step, I realized I really need (yeah I need!) a power jigsaw since I have to cut and shape a lot of wood. Time for another trip to Handyman or Ace. I wonder who is on sale now . . .

Oven Floor

The first set of bricks were laid today!

The morning was spent planning the layout of the oven dome.

In the afternoon I laid out the oven floor. It was tedious, but not very difficult. A lot of work looking for the best bricks in the pile and making sure they lay level and flush with the bricks next to them. Lay the brick on the sand, push it up against the next brick, check that the bricks are level then go on to the next brick.






Tomorrow I start building the dome!

I Got The Bricks!

My pizza oven adventure has been slowly getting ready for some time now. It has taken me about six months to get all the little pieces in place: finding a contractor for the base, finding the source for insulation, finding a source for the bricks, finding a source for the mortar and finding a source for the firewood.

Two weeks ago I got the insulation and signed up the contractor. I got all set to buy the bricks, but they were out of stock! I had my truck ready to go to the place, but when I called ahead, they said someone had just bought up everything they had. They said two week until they get new stock.

Finally, last Saturday, I called the place again and they had just found some bricks in the back of their warehouse. I jumped in the truck and headed out to get them. They loaded 300 red clay bricks in the back of the truck and I took them home.

Its all coming together. The construction of the base will be done by Tuesday, so by the weekend I can start laying the bricks! Now I have to make a trip to Handyman and pick up the rest of the tools I need to get going.

The adventure is starting.