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Post by Donkey on Mar 23, 2009 19:56:22 GMT -8
Ok, the Rocket Stove heated, Cob Sauna is on!! There is a client who will pay me to build one, which is GREAT! 'Cause it means I'll actually have the time to build it, and see it finished in a timely manner. I've delivered the urbanite for the foundation today, I'll be prepping the parts and picking out the brick and whatnot tomorrow.. Hopefully by Friday, I'll have the rocket stove guts layed out and working. Most of the guts of the stove are going to be below floor level, so I gotta build the stove and the foundation together. You've all seen the basic idea:  There WILL (of course) be many changes from the drawing. I've simplified the building itself in many ways, from what I had in mind earlier. Also, my thinking on how to go about the stove has evolved somewhat.. I'll be documenting my progress here, so, Stay tuned. |
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Post by canyon on Mar 23, 2009 22:54:21 GMT -8
Congratulations on the gig! I'm excited for you and looking forward to what you'll share!  |
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Post by Donkey on Mar 24, 2009 23:56:06 GMT -8
Thanks canyon, I appreciate that.. Ok. Today I built the platform that the stove will sit on and insulated underneath with pumice. I chose pumice 'cause I've had it laying around for some time and it was a freebie, also I expect that it will encounter moisture occasionally. Seems to me that pumice will handle a periodic wetting better than pearlite or something like that. Today I also built and tested a quick-and-dirty 6 inch rocket stove on the platform. It felt right, to gauge system size by just making one and staring at it. It seemed to me, (after fiddling with wet wood in a wet 6" stove on a gusty day) that an eight inch system will likely be more appropriate.. So tomorrow, I tear it all off and build an eight inch system in it's place. |
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Post by johnjmw on Mar 26, 2009 9:42:49 GMT -8
When I first started reading this, and looking at the diagram I kept thinking why is the feed tube on the floor of the tub. For some reason I was thinking hot tub?? An 8" system in a Sauna? I would think that would get to hot? Of course this is from someone who has not built one inside for heating yet. I keep thinking about how hot the 6"gets outside in the yard. Though I know you don't have to keep feeding it once it gets to the temp you want. Still cannot wait to see how it goes.
John
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Post by Donkey on Mar 27, 2009 9:51:29 GMT -8
Time to post my progress.. This is going to be more graphically heavy than I usually do.. But, what the heck. The pumice insulated under. Freebie tile stood together and filled with freebie pumice.  A level base upon which to build the rest.  The base finished.. The extra-large bricks were gotten from my neighbor for next to nothing.. He had a HUGE pile that sat for years and just wanted free of 'em. I got em for around a dollar a brick.  The metal bits.. Stainless steel pipe as heat riser, small barrel as insulation jacket and the barrel. Looks like the barrel is a bit too far gone to me. I'll use it to build and test, but I'll need to replace it on final.  Here's the pipe inserted into the insulation jacket. Notice that I've run it out past the bottom.. This way it will slide into the brick works and be easier to seal well.  Insert tab A into slot B..  Base made, heat riser on, cobbed up tight with high heat cob. I added a little straw which will burn out eventually but I think it helps.. Don't ask why, it just feels right. I will fill the heat riser with pearlite/clay later. I wont be back to the job for a week or two, so I don't want to leave anything out that can't handle rain if we get it.  Here's the urbanite foundation and the stove in it's current condition. You can see where the chimney will be at the front of the image. Outflow pipe and most of the stove will be buried under the floor. I haven't created the under floor air input. The client doesn't seem to want it. He would rather see the fire.  I've been trying to keep it all as low as I can which is tightening up all the tolerances that I normally build into my stoves. It seems that the burn tunnel is a little long though I've only got one brick width to spare. What's really needed is a replacement for the barrel that is just a little narrower, though it still needs to leave room for flow through.. Looks like a trip or two to the dump is in order. |
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Post by philk966 on Apr 4, 2009 12:15:55 GMT -8
Fantastic! I look forward to the progress reports. What is the diameter of the structure? Also , what type of roof are you planning?
Now that the snow is gone here in New England , I'm collecting materials to start my own sauna.Once I get started I'll post pics.
Congrats on the payin' gig!
Peace,
Phil
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Post by Donkey on Apr 4, 2009 13:45:18 GMT -8
The exterior dimension is about 10 feet diameter.
The interior dimension that I'm shooting for is about 9 feet.
It should be no more than six inches taller than a grown man seated cross-legged, or about roughly, in the neighborhood of 4 feet from floor to inside ceiling. Though I'll have to give a little to the materials will, I plan to make it as low ceilinged as possible.
I was at the site yesterday, fiddling and devising.. I've taken some measurements, made some modifications and will post the dimensions of the stove soon. I'm trying to shorten the burn tunnel as much as possible, also I've realized that the opening of the feed is a bit too wide. I'll need to tighten the opening a bit.
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Post by Donkey on Apr 29, 2009 8:35:11 GMT -8
Update: Been working on the building now, the stove is finished and works WELL! The base, urbanite foundation, cob sill, cypress thresh-hold, stove, pea gravel fill..  Then a bent pole frame covered in mud/straw weave. I'm now doing some wood work, building the door etc and waiting for it all to dry before plastering.  |
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Post by philk966 on Apr 29, 2009 14:41:44 GMT -8
Wow, that is one cool , er Hot looking sauna.
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Post by johnjmw on May 2, 2009 3:54:06 GMT -8
Donkey, that looks great!
John
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Post by Donkey on Jun 13, 2009 11:04:37 GMT -8
Ok.. Well, the stove is long since built.. But.. Might as well post some more progress shots of the building. Cobbed in door anchors, let 'em dry, hang the door, mask it off well.  Prop up the hanging edge of the door and cob over it. There are two layers of cardboard on top of the door, covered in plastic. The cardboard make a nice spacer and creates a little breathing room for the door.  Once it's dried for a while, pop the door open and poof!! It fits almost perfectly.. Little trimming will need to be done, though there is still plenty of fill to give it all a pleasing shape.  Door latch detail.  Mud happens... Lots'a mud. Everything gets filled in to make for a more even surface, well roughed to hold onto later plaster layer(s).  And... While the door dries enough to fool with again, I've been working on the roof framing.  We plan to use the sauna tomorrow.. The top ain't tight yet, so we will just toss some blankets over it sweat lodge style. Should be great. |
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Post by Donkey on Jun 14, 2009 18:02:16 GMT -8
Woo Hoo!! Started the stove about 12:20, by 12:45 it was hot to trot. One armload of split oak and it was BLAZING till 3:30 or so. Gonna put more mud on it tomorrow.. |
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Post by canyon on Jun 15, 2009 23:24:29 GMT -8
Very, Very nice indeed! Thanks for keeping the pictures coming. Inspiring! |
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Post by Donkey on Jul 1, 2009 6:54:00 GMT -8
The sauna is sealed.. Finished the cob layers inside and out and they've dried. Next up, beautification! Straw clay plasters inside and out, then finish the inside with a lime plaster. The outside will likely remain straw clay..  The lumpyness that is left at this point will be smoothed with the following plaster layer(s).. |
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Post by Donkey on Jul 2, 2009 12:22:33 GMT -8
This thread has gotten pretty far off the topic of rocket stoves.. SO, it seems appropriate to post the internal dimensions of the stove in this thing. I measured all the bits after the last re-build and made a quick sketch:  |
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