Looking for some insights into building herringbone fireboxes. I have a mason that does alot of my work and I have asked him to build a couple of my fireboxes in the herringbone pattern.
Although he has not previously done this, one of his cousins (who is local) has – and when he builds them he builds them on durarock and then stands them up – I have some reservations about this as I will have two bonds to deal with – the first is the bricks to the durarock and the second is the durarock to the back of the firebox so I am not completely comfortable with the idea.
So, if anyone can lend some insights into herringbone firebox construction it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Devin
Replies
Are you speaking of the back of a fireplace or what? I can't imagine using durock for that!
Welcome to the
Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
Excellence is its own reward!
at the mention of Durorock and fireplace...
it was time to set the keyboard down and stepback...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
sounds like the guy is thinsetting firebrick to the DR and using it as firebox panels..
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
So define firebox.
That to me means the three walls inside the fire place that orma sort of box...
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
yup...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
You know me, Pif. If I can buy it prebuilt, I will, providing it is a good product. Here ya go.
http://superiorclay.com/hb.php
View Image
Looked into this - they make these for rumford's. I was not planning on Rumford's so when I spoke with the folks at Superior clay they're take was that by the time we have to cut their panels it would not be worth - also fighting the season a little bit - they are at least 3 weeks out- and as I'm in CT. I would like to get a roof on as soon as possible.
Thanks
Devin
yes - that's my intent - the inside sides of the firebox.
You need a different mason, one who is skilled at brick fireplace work. The durock idea is a dead giveaway that this guy does not have the skill needed. A proper mason will cut and stack the brick correctly, and also knows how to build a fireplace so that it draws.
I've got a brush fire burning down outside now. I'll goo see if I have a couple scraps of durock to throw on it so I can send you a photo of what burnt durock looks like
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
it comes apart..
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
I already knew the answer, I just thought it would be a good idea to enter the photo into evidence
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
the dangers of doing that with DR stagers the brain..
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
My brain is already staggered
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
yes - that is exactly what he planned. Thinset to Durarock and then hang the durarock. I was not loving the idea because of the double joints so I figured two places to fail.
Devin
mre places to fail than that...
dangerous too..
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
Remind me I have to edit photos and post for you tomorrow. Right now I am too done in. Got the camera unloaded but that's enough for now.
In only one hour on a fire,the durabond turned into a loosely cracked up, ready to fall apart piece. Fractures running all through it. The weave that re-inforces it was destroyed at the worst heat location. I'll give it a kick in the AM when fire is cooled to see the powder fly
Welcome to the
Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
Excellence is its own reward!
Thank you for your quidance.
I would prefer to have it hand built but when I started looking into the superior clay/rumford prebuilt panels I thought maybe I was being too conservative as there website states that they
"are laid in the Herringbone pattern and bonded to reinforced concrete forming a 5-inch thick panel."
So I figured my mason's idea made sense but as I had some lingering reservations I figured I would post my question in the hopes someone would provide insights into building by hand.
So perhaps I should take a different tack -- any ideas of a material that would work for a backer board or am I completely thinking about this the wrong way. I do want herringbone, already ordered a pallet of bricks (800 bricks at 2.00 a piece is alot to swallow). I need to come up with solution and its going to be tough to give the work away - one the bases and hearths are already up so folks are not going to want to come on the job and two - I am going to be insulting my mason big time and he does a fair bit of good work for me - so its a bit of a pickle. I will if I have to, but I'd rather come up with a solution that let's me keep his pride intact. He's not a hack - he's a second generation mason that has building fireplaces for twenty years - just hasn't done herringbone and is concerned about the compound angles if he builds it free standing.
So is there any material that would make sense for a backer board ? I will also give Superior clay a shout in the morning to see how they handle it.
Thanks again for the insights - and any and all thoughts are welcomed.
Devin
Say, look, I realy do want the real thing. I have seen enough of your work to know that you can do it. You can take your time to figure out the angles and we'll both be proud of the result! You can do it.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
You know, they are easy in a Rumford. Yer cuts are all the same.
But for a non-rumford tiltback box, it's like, call the doctor! We'll need Joe Carola and his CM Pro to figure the angles for the brickie.
pretend it's a floor...
wet saw and cut the angles..
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
Where the heck do you find a brick worth $2.00 apiece? They must be something special. I'd be interested in knowing what they are.I just finished a couple of soapstone Rumford fireboxes, (not herringbone), and the soapstone bricks were upwards of $10.00 apiece.I agree with some of the others............tell him you want the real deal, and give him, (ie..........pay him) for the time it takes for him to do it.Some of the best work can come from someone who has the freedom to do his best work, knowing he'll be compensated for his time.After all, it's only one firebox, and you do have a history with him. Have him do something you'll both be proud of. Rod