Building the Dragon

October 1st 2012, it's a miracle because I have a dream team all in place and booked to help me build my kiln.
Laying the floor with cement blocks.

measuring distances with the wooden frame

Daniel was the designer of the kiln and played the most important role

Me, mixing mortar. Alot more to go.

Hard brick walls are going up before the floor. I would have finished the floor before starting the walls.
J-D's technique. A very good idea.

Jean-David, a friend and a masson taught us many tricks of the trade.
Insulating the floor before putting the bricks.

Great team work. Starting the arch.

More work on the arch putting a fireclay and grog mix between bricks.

The arch is done. It took 2 days to finish it.

A great moment, removing the frame and seeing if it all holds together.

Looks good and straight!

Jean-David

Bryan and Veronik (left) taking care of the roof to come.

Building the door. Pascale (inside) helping with the scrapping inside the kiln.

The door is finished and Daniel has the pleasure and honour to bang the clef de voûte.

Stephane(with mask) helping with the insulation of the arch.

covering the kiln with mortar. (me)
J-D (left) getting the chimeney started. the chimeney is 2 thicknesses of soft brick.

David, also a masson, was a huge help all along

The chimeney being finished with cement block on the outside and 2 thicknesses of soft bricks on the inside.

It's the last day. The kiln and the door and the chimeney are all finished. It was a long day. 

The kiln is finished! Small fires are lit in it to dry out the chimeney and the kiln itself.
The building took 8 big days with the dream team: Daniel, Chris, Jean-David, David and Bryan who made the roof
And great friends who gave alot of time and energy to help: Veronik, Pascale and Stephane
The kiln belongs to all of them and their next generation too.
Saying THANK YOU is such s little word for all your energy, time and skills.
I hope the DRAGON will reward us all.