Permsteading.com

Patience is a virtue GTO, patience is indeed a virtue, having said that, Go ahead and fire it up at will. It will be alright. What is the worst thing that can happen? You get a few cracks that you have to patch up? We are indeed Americans and we want instant gratification, so do what ever feels right to you. It's hard to screw this process up, truly, it is hard to screw this up badly. Go for it, and Good Luck.

Thanks for all the replies. Very encouraging. That's why I love this forum, everyone is open and shares vs dictating.

Patience is a virtue Guy, and one that's been being molded and tried, whether I like it or not

Little did I realize that sonotube is actually 8 3/4" outside diameter. Do you guys think this is too big?
I have a tendancy to overthink some things, and underthink others.

I wouldn't chance it. You could just cut a 2 1/8 " or 2 1/16" strip from the length of the sonotube and tape it back together.

It's good to know the sonotube isn't an accurate dimension. I just assumed it was.

Manny: My question was regarding the diameter. I am assuming by the time it shrinks a little I will end up with a 9" system. Will that be too big of a system? I was planning on casting today, but I don't want to waste the materials for something that won't work.

I would do what Manny suggests. I'd cut a section out of the tube longitudinally and see if you can close it up and tape it to make an 8" tube. If it's too stiff, cut out a strip 180° from the other, bisecting the tube, and tape the two halves together. Otherwise you might end up with trouble trying to mate flue pipe to the system downstream since it will be smaller than your core CSA.

Thanks you guys. Took a minute but i understand now. Great idea

Matching up the cross sectional area downstream was what I was worried about, too. Sorry I didn't explain that better GTO, I'm glad Matt got what I was talking about. That stuff should be flexible enough to bend together and strap up with some tape. Good luck! Post up some pics of how it turns out!

Just used 4 whole bags of cement and perlite, and still ran out
I can't get material until monday. Can you add after that long? I only got a 22" riser

BTW i took out 2" and it worked out to a perfect 8". Thanks again