next project, beat the weather!

[oakchas]

Now that the stairs are near completion, and the barn is well underway, I've got this to do and beat the weather!
I had a contractor build and "tarpaper" this chimney chase. I've installed the metal lath in these pix and am preparing to finish a scratchcoat of mortar I've already started before putting on some veneer stone (real stone, not cultured stone). It's about 21' tall and 10' wide and 2 & 1/2' deep. After it's done I have to build a hearth and mantle inside before installing the corn stove.

[crokett]

Wow. I've done some masonry so I know how much work that is gonna be. Good luck and keep us posted with the pictures!

[oakchas]

Wow. I've done some masonry so I know how much work that is gonna be. Good luck and keep us posted with the pictures!

I'm just now finding out how much work... Scratchcoat is on to about 8'. 5 bags of spec mix (out of 120)!

plus moving ~270 Sq. Ft. of stone from the pole bldg. to the chimney... and we've gotta get away from these freezing overnights! I've gotta be nuts!

[footprintsinconc]

i dont know if everyone is has the same problem that i do, i cant see the back part of the house because of the shade. could you post some pictures when the sun is hitting the back face. if its just me, then ignore the comment. however, judging by the size of it, i am sure is going to be a task. good luck!

[oakchas]

That's the north side.... It won't get much sun! I will try to get more afternoon pix as I progress.

[oakchas]

when last I left you...

I was trying to beat the weather... I gave up, weather won! So, I moved inside.

This is what's goin' on so far...




I have yet to plug it in and plumb the chimney, inside the chimney chase. I only got about 1/3 of the exterior rocked before the weather got too cold. but it will fire up by xmas and in the spring I can finish the ouside chimney chase.

I'm no mason... but the tuckpointing is (fortunately) supposed to look a bit rustic... I think I've got the rustic look down.

The mantle, If you're curious, is a basswood slab. cost ~$200 shipped! I thought that was reasonable... Unfortunately, staining it to match the oak trim will be difficult, I may go with just clear poly.

[cabinetman]

You've got some puzzle going on there. Looking good. I know it's too late now, but wood would have been lighter.
.

[oakchas]

Thanks...
I know the joints are far too big and irregular... But it's supposed to have a primitive feel to it... It killed me to "drop stones in mud" instead of really tightening the puzzle up. But nobody but me and some masons are noticing.