Post #791796 by Donovan on Wed, Dec 12, 2018 1:37 PM

Here we go. Still having problems with orientation. Hakalugi tried to help but nothing works from my end.

Here is the base and steel framework.

Screen backing with chicken wire formed into facial features.

Application of Type S mortar which is basically cement and sand mixed with water and masonry glue.

The face coming together and the test fitting of the wooden crown pieces.

Breathing a sigh of relief that it's coming out OK. The alternative was to break it out and haul it off.

To apply the concrete you have to grab a hand full and throw or slap it on for it to adhere. Trying to trowel it on was futile.
Under the larger facial features I had to use finer mesh screen as the concrete would fall through the larger mesh.

Once the concrete dries for about two to three hours you can shave off the excess until you get your desired shape. Then let dry for another hour and use a wet trowel to smooth it all out.

Installing the fire log skulls, available from Amazon for $50 per skull.
The backing and upper plate is 1/8" plate steel. The upper plate slants up from just above it's upper lip toward the back to flow the heat out of the 4" double wall vent pipe coming out of the back.

I shot the whole thing with automotive primer/sealer and then painted it metallic pearl turquoise. I masked off vertical slivers of the turquoise and painted the whole thing again flat brown. Then peeled off the tape, pinstriped around the slivers with flat black and then vertically pinstriped the entire structure with an average of 1" spacing ton simulate wood grain.
In the crown I installed two LED flood lights shining upwards and have copper tubes recessed in the eyes with red bulbs installed. There are also two oven lights installed in the upper plate to shine down and highlight the skulls. The entire firebox is surrounded in cat litter to insulate the surrounding walls and electrical.
Next is the recessed rain wall on either side of the fireplace....wish me luck.

We never really grow up, we just get bigger budgets and better tools.

[ Edited by: Donovan 2018-12-30 17:20 ]