How can we create an arched brick fireplace without the bricks falling out of the arch before the mortar sets?
Question by sunshyne77177: How can we create an arched brick fireplace without the bricks falling out of the arch before the mortar sets?
We want to build an arched brick enclosure for our woodstove but can’t figure out how the arch sits in place until dried. It seems that the bricks would just slide off while waiting to dry?! Help!
Best answer:
Answer by kokopelli
It’s easy. Build a wood form out of 1/2″ plywood cut into the shape of the arch. Use two plywood arches about 5″ apart, front to back, for the bricks to rest on while the mortar sets. Position this form in the exact spot where you want the arch and secure it so it can’t move. Then simply line up the brick along the top of the plywood form and mortar them together. Keep the mortar wet and covered in plastic so it does not dry out for at least 3 days. Then disassemble the plywood and the brick arch will stand on its own. You cannot do this without a temporary form.
Give your answer to this question below!
Ya gotta build a frame for it. Use wood.
Build a form.
You’ll need a “mold” or somekind of support to hold the bricks while you are building it and then they dry.
If the arch is properly structured, the bricks hold one another in place.
http://www.efn.org/~ddclarke/arch.htm
http://www.quarterbyte.com/brian/brickoven.html
you need to build it on something.
Cut a 2×4 at the appropriate 180 degree length.
Cut a 1″ 1/4″ slot every 2 inches. This will make the 2×4 bend.
Brace and set in place.
The slots along the 2×4 will vary depending on the size of the arch.
You could also cut a plywood at the arch angle to rest the brick on. Use two with a 2×4 in between to make the resting place larger
you build a template that is as wide as the side opening and as high as where you want it to start. lets say its 30 in. by 30in. you would make the template out of plywood and make it about 4 in. wide to carry the brick. figure out the degree of arc you want for the arch and set this template in the opening. you should make it about an in. shorter than the height of the opening so you can shim it up with wedges. when the brick are laid you can knock out the wedges to allow the template to drop down so you can remove it.
Make an arched with ply wood, then when the mortar as sets take the ply wood out.
We make forms all the time from polystyrene. We cut a block of foam with a CNC hotwire machine, its lightweight and at a low cost. Another way would be to use a craft knife or bread knife and cut the arc in a number of sheets then glue them together.