I laid down the hearth firebricks on to the insulating 2.5 inch thick pad. The bricks are laid without mortar. Then I mortared the first course of bricks of the dome on these hearth firebricks. Also I did the arch for the oven's door area and within this arch I made a smoke chimney!
I was working full time and didn't have a chance (dirty dusty clothes, etc.) to take step by step pictures. A lot done and it all looks nice. Later on when the dome is completed, I'll cut off the firebricks that are poking out the bottom.
The arch I made in place. I used loose brick (removed partially for photo) below the arch for support. The midpoint of the arch is exactly 9 inches high. The span of the arch is 20 inches.
I think I'll give this all a week to harden up. The 2.5 inch thick insulating cement layer below all these bricks is still somewhat plastic. It's been over three days too!
Oh and this is how I used to make my arches, back in the day:
Original Olympic Arena Archway Entrance, Greece
Hey, we went there!!
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