Any brick/block/stone masons here?

[guitar man]

I'm a complete novice with zero experience in masonry, but I want to build this, or something real similar in my yard. Is it too ambitious for a novice?



it's actually concrete blocks with a field stone veneer, there are details and pics here:

http://hankjarrett.home.mindspring.com/id1.html

I could live without the stone, but it just looks so cool

thanks in advance for advice...

[rcrush]

1. Are you asking to join the secret order?

Are you worthy?

[guitar man]

2. no

I just want a bad ass bbq pit and I already have a shitload of concrete block on hand.

:rofl:

[snooper2]

3. it's not rocket science..you should be able to do it..

Make sure you have the pad done right, that's probably the most critical part..probably eight inches with rebar and you would be more than good. Simple rectangle for a form...

http://www.buildeazy.com/newplans/eazylist/concrete_slab.html


You should be able to find a good sized used smoker to cut apart for the racks/steel. Unless you have a welder and want to start from scratch. Or use it as an opportunity to buy an arc welder :)

[guitar man]

4. thanks snooper

It didn't look that hard, especially the block part, but not being a mason I wasn't sure.

I have the steel part down, I'm a whiz with a cutting torch and not to shabby at welding ;)

[Kali]

5. husband is

and jebus that looks like something him and his dad might have built, except the mortar would probably look cleaner/neater and it would likely have a flagstone hearth or countertop somewhere on it.

You want me to start asking him questions? (he will ramble on so I don't want to start unless you are serious)

[guitar man]

6. I'm very serious

I don't know if this is the design I'm going to go with, but I have a big yard and I have wanted a nce big bbq pit for a long time. Thanks :)

[Kali]

7. He says just go for it, be the artist you are (isn't that cute?) -

everybody has a little in them. If it comes out kind of artsy looking that is even better (presuming you are using the stone too. (quote from his dad: if you want platinum, buy it - if you want stone let it look like stone)

he suggests having your hardware (metal things) all there and prepared in advance so you can fit things together right, a 4 inch pad with a little rebar or mesh (not building a house here), suggests lining firebox(es) with firebrick.

Number one thing I have learned from being around a mason - concrete and such are not actually permanent structures! Very hard lesson for me, but you can wreck/take apart and do over if you just hate something!

[guitar man]

8. thanks!

That's great advice. Knowing me, it will probably come out very, ahem..."artsy" :rofl:

That's ok, if it doesn't look so great, as long as it cooks well...

:hi:

[Kali]

9. keep us updated and if you have any questions

shoot a PM - I can let him use the key board for a few minutes ;-)

[guitar man]

10. I will

Don't know when I'll actually get started, I have a pretty good stack of blocks out back but I know it isn't enough, gotta scrape up funds for some material. Thanks a million :hi: