I would like to restore this Grandpa Bear woodstove!

[Mr. C Jones]

Hello! I am new to these forums and this would be my first wood stove.

A coworker gave me this. I think it is great and has a ton of character. My research led me to this website. Soon, my family and I want to build a large cabin to embark on a homesteader's life.

From what I gather, this is the Papa Bear woodstove?

Is this the model or product number? Notice I am missing the draft control knobs.

Also, what type of firebrick can I get to replace this brick?

Thanks for any help or info you can help me with. I think I may have found a manual for this model in pdf form.

 

[coaly]

Welcome to the forum, Using the search feature on this site will get you lots of info on refurbishing your stove.
First post of this thread will tell you what you have by measurements. Can't tell what you've got until you know the size. It's Mama or Papa.
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/everything-fisher.48309/
The same thread has the patent number you're asking about and patent drawing link in post #6.

Some Tractor Supply stores have bricks on sale now for 1.99. Ace Hardware is the cheapest I've found by the box.
They are a standard firebrick 4 1/2" X 9" X 1 1/4" thick.
This thread includes picture of actual prints (drawing) and cut sizes needed, called the brick layout for the stove fabricator.
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/papa-bear-firebricks.89792/

 

[Mr. C Jones]

Thank you for your reply and nice to meet you!

Welcome to the forum, Using the search feature on this site will get you lots of info on refurbishing your stove.
First post of this thread will tell you what you have by measurements. Can't tell what you've got until you know the size. It's Mama or Papa.
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/everything-fisher.48309/
The same thread has the patent number you're asking about and patent drawing link in post #6.

Based on this thread I would say I have the "Mama Bear ; Single door, two air intakes, takes up to 24 inch log. Heats up to 1750 sf." I measured the stove and it 28 inches long. Also, according to the patent, this is a cooking/heating stove. My wife is going to like that!

Some Tractor Supply stores have bricks on sale now for 1.99. Ace Hardware is the cheapest I've found by the box.
They are a standard firebrick 4 1/2" X 9" X 1 1/4" thick.
This thread includes picture of actual prints (drawing) and cut sizes needed, called the brick layout for the stove fabricator.
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/papa-bear-firebricks.89792/

This is priceless information! I am so happy to learn that the bricks won't cost an arm and a leg. Any ideas on where I can locate draft knobs to replace the two missing on the front of the stove? I found Barrcasting
Not entirely sure If I want gold knobs! I will search around and thanks again for all your help!

 

[coaly]

I found Barrcasting
Not entirely sure If I want gold knobs! I will search around and thanks again for all your help!

This would be the thread for brick size for the Mama Bear.
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/mama-bear-firebricks.88386/

The gold color draft cap is brass, for glass and brass doors. They have them in aluminum, specify you want them with steel nut inserts. (5 fin is period correct for your stove)

 

[WeldrDave]

Hello! I am new to these forums and this would be my first wood stove.
A coworker gave me this. I think it is great and has a ton of character. My research led me to this website. Soon, my family and I want to build a large cabin to embark on a homesteader's life.
From what I gather, this is the Papa Bear woodstove?
Is this the model or product number? Notice I am missing the draft control knobs.
Also, what type of firebrick can I get to replace this brick?
Thanks for any help or info you can help me with. I think I may have found a manual for this model in pdf form.

Nice Stove! Welcome to the forums, take your time and have fun, it's relaxing and partially addicting.Lot's and lot's of knowledge here, dig and learn!, Coaly is the Guru...

Dave

 

[Mr. C Jones]

This would be the thread for brick size for the Mama Bear.
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/mama-bear-firebricks.88386/

The gold color draft cap is brass, for glass and brass doors. They have them in aluminum, specify you want them with steel nut inserts. (5 fin is period correct for your stove)

Thank you I will look into this!

 

[Mr. C Jones]

Mike it may be easier if you make a new thread for your stove!

 

[WeldrDave]

Mr. Jones, I have a Mama bear I have yet to do, "restore" I'm going to keep it original for the most part, but If you can get your hands on the brass vent valves and a new brass spring, your stove will look Very Nice! Coaly might help you find the valves, he helped me find the spring handle for my baby bear I just finished. The company is called Woodmans, and they advertise here on the site, they carry all kinds of wood burning items.

 

[coaly]

Woodman's "Draft Control Knobs" (what they call 'em) don't match Fisher originals. Barr Castings has the original mold from Baxter Fisher's first 4 fin cap, and Fisher International's 5 fin newer design. Just specify the type you want, and material with or without steel insert nut. Aluminum, brass, or bronze. They used to list them on ebay! Haven't seen them there in a while.

"Valves" huh dave? Amazing everyone calls them something different. They were patented as "Stove Damper Assembly", no wonder the name didn't stick. Even Barr Casting doesn't know what to call them.
I see some new stoves at Lowe's still use the same cap made of cast iron. Always be a Draft Cap to me.

 

[Mr. C Jones]

Woodman's "Draft Control Knobs" (what they call 'em) don't match Fisher originals. Barr Castings has the original mold from Baxter Fisher's first 4 fin cap, and Fisher International's 5 fin newer design. Just specify the type you want, and material with or without steel insert nut. Aluminum, brass, or bronze. They used to list them on ebay! Haven't seen them there in a while.

"Valves" huh dave? Amazing everyone calls them something different. They were patented as "Stove Damper Assembly", no wonder the name didn't stick. Even Barr Casting doesn't know what to call them.
I see some new stoves at Lowe's still use the same cap made of cast iron. Always be a Draft Cap to me.

Bar wont make cast iron ones? Those would look the nicest imho! Also, are there more than one braid seal....one on the actually stove, and one for the door?

 

[coaly]

Don't know. They might have them. They look and feel crude compared to the smooth finish of aluminum that was being used when your stove was made.

Door seal ?? Look carefully where the door makes contact at the three sealing contact areas.
The 1 inch wide channel iron on stove front is called the door seal. Gasket is not required like inferior stoves.
Explained in more detail than you probably need to know here;
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/door-gaskets-in-baby-mama-papa-bears.105066/

 

[WeldrDave]

Woodman's "Draft Control Knobs" (what they call 'em) don't match Fisher originals. Barr Castings has the original mold from Baxter Fisher's first 4 fin cap, and Fisher International's 5 fin newer design. Just specify the type you want, and material with or without steel insert nut. Aluminum, brass, or bronze. They used to list them on ebay! Haven't seen them there in a while.

"Valves" huh dave? Amazing everyone calls them something different. They were patented as "Stove Damper Assembly", no wonder the name didn't stick. Even Barr Casting doesn't know what to call them.
I see some new stoves at Lowe's still use the same cap made of cast iron. Always be a Draft Cap to me.

Whats funny is, I couldn't remember for the life of me what the "real" name for the knobs were so I gave it my best shot! Sounded good though........ Hey don't they have valves on ships and trains?