Here is a truly economical, block, outdoor fireplace do it yourself, one that you can put together in a few spare hours. Every­thing you need can be purchased easily, usually from one source such as a local building supply dealer. Some dealers even feature a "kit," in which all necessary materials, including the Majestic unit, are delivered to your yard at one low price. For details on the Model OF-48 unit, see page93. Caution: Block sizes vary in some localities be sure the blocks you get are the same as those listed here.

Before construction, lay out the blocks loose for the first course. Assemble the metal unit and set it in place to determine the cor­rect width of mortar joints to use to provide proper space for the unit.

Note.

LIST OF MATERIALS

1 Model OF-48 Majestic Metal Unit
30 Full Corner Blocks 8x8x16"
14 Bull Nose Blocks 8x8x16" 7 Chimney Blocks 17x21"
2 Blocks 4x8x16"
Blocks should be fire resistant blocks.

(Plus necessary sand, gravel, and con­crete for foundation, mortar, and two 1" x 25" x 32½" cement caps. "Ready-mixed” packages are ideal and usually sized for your requirements. Ask your material supply dealer”

Select a suitable spot for the fire­place, giving thought to the notes on "Location" given on page 86. Mark off the desired size with stakes and string. The base should be at least 70" x 33", with a pro­jection 17" deep and 21" wide centered at the rear, for the chimney. Follow the directions for a floating slab foundation as listed on page 90.

Lay up chimney consisting of seven 17" x 21" chimney blocks, including base joint Be certain chimney is plumb by using a level or plumb bob. Using a hammer and cold-chisel, cut a smoke inlet opening about 5 inches square, into the flue, close under top edge of the metal fireplace unit, as illustrated, to insure best draft conditions.

Lay out the first course of blocks as shown in Fig. 2. being certain this course is perfectly level. The six blocks in the center are laved on their sides to form a smooth surface for the ash­pit. Cementing this area with a rich mixture will give a smoother cleaning area. Be sure to slope slightly to front of unit for drainage.

Lay one course of blocks on each side to begin the sides of the fireplace. These should also be level and straight at the outside edges. A maximum width of nineteen inches should be maintained in the center section. To do this, it will be necessary to keep the mortar joints on each side of the four inch blocks as thin as possible
Laytwo more courses of block on each side, remembering to alternate the vertical joints.

Now you are ready to instill the metal fireplace unit and set the cement caps in place. The caps may be pur­chased or you can make them yourself by setting up two 1" x 25" x 32½" wooden forms these forms are set on tar paper on a smooth solid surface, filled with concrete and toweled smooth. Wire reinforcing, such as chicken wire, should be used in making the caps. After hardening, they should be set in place on a good bed of mortar.

Your outdoor fireplace do it yourself is complete now, but do not fire it until the mortar and con­crete have had sufficient time to set and harden at least two days after completion. Use only small fires at first to cure fireplace mortar. If desired, the masonry may be finished in an attrac­tive color, using any good paint re­commended for block surfaces.

Picture this big, spacious fireplace in your favorite lawn or garden spot with perhaps lawn chairs and picnic table nearby Jt would provide a lot of entertainment as well as good barbe­cue foods. It's a very popular design that can be built at sur­prisingly little cost. And if you'd build it yourself, cost is still less. All needed materials are available from your local building supply dealer. See Page 93 for details on the OF-48-S Majestic Metal Unit. Caution: Block sizes vary in some localities be sure the blocks you get are the same as those listed here.

LIST OF MATERIALS

1 Model OF-48-S Majestic Unit
39 Blocks 8" x 8" x 16" (Header or Double Corner type)
14 Blocks 6" x 8" x 16"
2 Blocks 4" x 8 x 16"
13 Blocks 2" x8" x 16" (Note: It will be necessary for 3 of these to be split to 2" x 6" x 16")
4 Chimney Blocks 8" x 12" (16" x 21 " overall size)

Blocks should be fire-resistant blocks. (Plus necessary sad, gravel and concrete for foundation and mortar. “Ready-Mixed” packages and ideal and usually sized for your requirements. Ask your material supply dealer.)

Select a suitable spot for the fire­place, giving thought to the notes on "Location" given on page 86. Mark off the desired size with stakes and string. The base should be at least 62" x 38", and should be larger if extension be­yond the block walls is desired. Follow the directions for a float­ing slab foundation as listed on page 90.

Lay out the first course of blocks as shown in Fig. 1. Then start mortaring these blocks in place. It is probably best to start with the center blocks, which pro­vide a solid floor for the metal
unit and the ashpit area. Be sure that this is wide enough to ac­commodate the assembled metal unit. Cementing this area with a rich mixture will give a smoother cleaning area, Be sure to slope slightly to front of unit for drainage.

Now proceed with the con­struction, laying out each cours:1 of blocks as indicated by the drawings.

Be sure to provide proper al­lowance for metal parts to ex­pand as the result of heating. This can be accomplished by placing sheets of corrugated paper between the metal unit and the blocks. When the first fire is built, this corrugated paper will bum away, leaving space for expansion. Lay the 8" x 12" (overall size 16"x21") chimney blocks last, putting them in place with the front sides exactly flush, vertically, with the wall that en­closes the back of the metal unit.

Now, with the Majestic metal unit installed, your fireplace is completed. But do not fire the unit for at least two days, giving the mortar and concrete ample time to set and harden. Use only small fires at first to cure fire­place mortar. If desired, the masonry may be finished in an attractive color, using any good paint or compound recommended for block surfaces.

Think of the pleasant hours of fun. relaxation and good eating an outdoor barbecue like this will bring you, your family, and your friends. Not to speak of the extra fun. if you build it your­self! And it costs you so little! Your local supply dealer can supply you all the necessary materials. For details on the OF-38 Majestic unit, see page 93. Caution: Block sizes vary in some localities be sure the blocks you get are the same sizes as those listed here.

Note:Before construction, lay out the blocks loose for the first course. Assemble the metal unit and set it in place to determine the correct width of mortar joints to use to provide proper space for the unit.

LIST OF MATERIALS

1 Model OF-38 Majestic Metal Unit
SO Blocks 8" x 8" x 16"
4 Half Blocks 8" x 8" x 8"
10 Blocks 6" x8" x 16"
3 Chimney Blocks 17"x21"
2 Wire-Reinforced Caps
Blocks should be fire-resistant block.

Select a suitable spot for the fire­place, giving thought to the notes on "Location" given on page 86. Mark off the desired size with stakes and string. The base should be at least 66" x 33", with a projection 17" deep and 33" wide centered at the rear, for the chimney. Follow the directions for a floating slab foundation as listed on page 90.

Plus necessary sand, gravel and concrete for foundation and mortar. “Ready-Mixed” packages are ideal and usually sized for your requirements. Ask your material supply dealer.)

Lay out the first course of blocks as shown in Fig. 2. Then start mortaring these blocks in place. It is probably best to start with the center blocks, which provide a solid floor for the metal unit and the ashpit area. Maximum width of this area should be held as close to 16 inches as possible, by keeping mortar joints thin. Be sure the first course of blocks is perfectly level.

Lay the second course of 6-inch center blocks, alternating the vertical joints as shown. Now finish the second course of 8-inch blocks on the chimney and sides of the fireplace, again being sure that all edges are plumb and level.

Lay the third course of blocks. Note that the one 6-inch block used in the third course is sot back into the chimney area about 2'/2 inches. This is done to make sure that its front surface is at least 26 inches back from the front edge of the fireplace, to provide sufficient depth for the metal unit.

Before laying the fourth course of blocks on the chimney and side walls, lay the last 6-inch block squarely on top of the third-course 6-inch block. This will bring the wall for the back of the metal unit even in height with the third-course of 8-inch blocks, and will provide a proper smoke inlet to the chimney when the chimney blocks are set on top of the fourth course of 8-inch blocks.

Lay the 17 x 21 inch chimney blocks in place with the front sides exactly flush, vertically, with the fronts of the two 6-inch blocks against which the metal unit is set.

Now you are ready to install the metal fireplace unit, and set the cement caps in place. Be sure the caps are set in a good bed of mortar. Your fireplace is now completed, but do not fire the unit for at least two days after completion, giving the mortar and concrete sufficient time to set and harden.

If desired, the masonry may be finished in an attractive color, us­ing any good paint or compound recommended for concrete or cinderblock surfaces.

Growing in popularity each year, this Majestic OF-38-S Outdoor Fireplace Unit lends itself to an extremely easy-to-construct block plan. Wider than it is deep, it allows two people to co­operate in handling the cooking chores. For details, see page 93. Caution: Block sizes vary in some localities be sure the blocks you get are the same as those listed here.

Note: Before construction, lay out the blocks loose for the first course. Assemble the metal unit and set it in place to determine the cor­rect width of mortar joints to use to provide proper space for the unit.

LIST OF MATERIALS

1 Model OF-38-S Majestic Metal Unit 18 Blocks 8x8x16" 3 Blocks 6x8x16"
7 Blocks 4x8x16"
4 Blocks 8x8x8
1 Block 4x8x8"
3 Chimney Blocks 8 x 8" (16" square)

Blocks should be fire-resistant blocks.

(Plus necessary sad, gravel and concrete for foundation and mortar. “Ready-mixed” packages are ideal and usually sized for your requirements. Ask your material supply dealer.)

Select a suitable spot for the fireplace, giving thought to the notes on "Location" given on page 86. Mark off the desired size with stakes and string. The base should be at least 44" x 34", and should be larger if extension beyond the block walls is desired. Follow the directions for a float­ing slab foundation as listed on page 90

Lay out the first course of blocks as shown in Fig. 1. Then start mortaring these blocks in place. It is probably best to start with the center blocks, which provide a solid floor for the metal unit and the ashpit area. Be sure that this is wide enough to accommo­date the assembled metal unit. Cementing this area with a rich mixture will give a smoother cleaning area. Be sure to slope slightly to front of unit for drain­age. Also check to be sure that the first course of blocks is per­fectly level the 6-inch center blocks will, of course, be lower than the other blocks, as shown in Fig. 1.

Now proceed with the construc­tion, laying out each course of blocks as indicated by the draw­ings.

Be sure to provide proper al­lowance for metal parts to expand as the result of heating. This can be accomplished by placing sheets of corrugated paper between the metal unit and the blocks. When the first fire is built, this corru­gated paper will burn away, leav­ing space for expansion.

Lay the 17"x21" chimney blocks last, putting them in place with the front sides exactly flush, vertically, with the wall that en­closes the back of the metal unit.

Now. with the Majestic metal unit installed, your fireplace is completed. But do not fire the unit for at least two days, giving the mortar and concrete ample time to set and harden. Use only small fires at first to cure fire­place mortar. If desired, the ma­sonry may be finished in an at­tractive color, using any good paint or compound recommended for concrete or cinder block sur­faces.

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