Arch Form in Place

The arch form is now in place and ready to receive bricks to make the chamber of the kiln.  This is a catenary arch--approximately as wide as it is tall but not a round arch form like a roman or barrel arch.  If you take a piece of string and let it drape loose it will create a catenary arch..  This arch is almost 12 feet long and three feet tall.  The form is made from a skeleton of 2" X 4"s and 3/4" front and back plywood shapes with 1/8" Masonite streached across the form and screwed into place.  Look for the bricks to define the arch next.

Ready for the Arch

The walls that support the arch form are in place and ready to accept the wooden arch form that the bricks will be laid upon.  All is as level as I can get it and yet I find little places that vex me.  Such is the world of the brickmason.  I am trying to imagine the interior of this space filled with fire and pots glowing at a temperature of around 23oo degrees F...  Soon! 

The kiln floor is now established and the first layer of the side walls is in place.  These walls will be four bricks high before the arch begins.  I have an interesting collection of fire bricks new and used so it becomes an puzzle solvers task to find enough bricks for a course that are the same size.