Stuck window glass tabs

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Tabs......

  • Not able to fix

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Funkyonions

Funkyonions

New Member
Sep 27, 2013
3
Hermiston, Or
Hello to everyone! So glad this forum was created for us folks who need answers!

I am having an issue with my wood stove door. The gasket is not the problem but the tabs that hold the glass in place. I have searched everywhere and have made several phone calls and would like to try and fix this problem myself instead of having to drive 45 min to have it fixed. But if I have to, then I have to. My glass has broken and to replace it, I just need to move the tabs, install the new glass and move the tabs back to hold the glass in place. Except....the tabs will not budge. If I take a screw driver and hammer, I can move them that way but it should be easier than that shouldn't it? Plus, I don't want to weaken the metal in any way. Can I take the old tabs out and put new ones in? With the tabs not moving, is that due to creosote buildup? Can I just use WD-40 to loosen the tabs? Also, the latch on the door will not open or close and am guessing it has to do with the same issue as the tabs. Instead of WD-40, is there a product out on the market that will loosen the tabs? Not new to wood stoves but am new in the repair dept. Oh, and not sure if this important, but I have a Craft Stove.

Thanks to all who respond! Have a great day!
 
I would think a little pb blaster (brand of penetrating oil) would help out allot.
 
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Penetrating oil in general should be able to find in a hardware store i would think. Pb blaster, maybe more luck in an automotive store.
I'm assuming there's a screw or something made to move. Just spray it generously and give it 10 or 15 minutes to do its thing. Sometimes you need to work it back and forth to help get the oil as far in as you can get it. With a little work it should move (assuming it was designed to).
 
Are these tabs held by screws that wont loosen, or just pressed into a slot? It its stuck screws, a contractors impact driver will do wonders to loosen them.


Either way I will give another vote for a shot of PB. Liquid wrench also works. Find either at your local auto parts.
 
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If the door to your stove is cast iron I'd be careful about using a hammer and screw driver to try loosening the screws. Cast iron is brittle and can crack with the right impact. If you have some WD 40 handy I'd try that first before you buy something else since I've had good luck with WD 40 loosening things on wood stoves. I had a slide rod on an old Woodstock Classic that used to get stuck all the time and I'd spray some WD 40 on it with no problems later when I burned a fire.
 
Thank you all so much for your advice! I found the PB Blaster in the automotive section of my local store. Worked great on the door handle...moves like a charm! Got to looking and had to replace the gasket around the door. No big deal. Got the replacement glass....wow! Sticker shock for such a small piece! Will keep working on the tabs. Was able to get one loose and am working on the others. Have not heard of Liquid Wrench and will try that next if I need to. WD-40, unfortunately, did not work. The tabs are held on by a screw that an allen wrench would fit. Impact driver, I do not have so have to do it "old school". Thanks again for all your comments. I truly appreciate it, coming from the experts!

Update: After spraying on the PB Blaster again and letting it sit for 10 min. or so, jiggled the tabs using a pair of pliers....One started moving and got easier as I worked at it. Then I tackled another. Same thing! Got all the tabs to move back and forth except for one. Didn't matter how much blaster I put on that sucker, it wouldn't budge. However, with that being said, I am....VICTORIOUS!! Was able to move three of the tabs enough to where I could slide the new piece of glass in place, then carefully turned the tabs with the pliers. Thanks again and will most likely be using PB Blaster instead of WD-40. By the way, doesn't PB Blaster sound like a candy bar?

Have a great day and thanks so much!
 
Last edited:
Mmmmm. Peanut butter blaster....

Wd has its places. Its not exactly a lubricant, but works temporarily as one. And its not designed to penetrate like the pb. Wd is actually Water Displacement formula #40.
 
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Glad you could get your new glass in!

I've had luck using PB Blaster and heat together on many rusted parts.

I second the use of an impact. I use my Milwaukee 18V 3/8" impact on almost every project around the house and garage.
 
Love PB Blaster on rusty parts . . . works quite well.
 
To prevent this happening in the future they also make high temperature anti seize that you can put on the screws before putting them back in. Makes the annual teardown very easy.
 
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