Englander nc-30 (30-nc) fiberboard measurements?

I have a new to me 30 nc but the fiberboards were pretty beat up. Ordered a big sheet of generic stuff and I need to cut it.

1) Size? my old ones measure 18 1/2 X 9 1/2, but my buddy just bought a new nc30 and his measure a 1/4 inch larger on both sides. Is that difference because my stove has been burned a couple years and I've got shrinkage (!) or because my stove boards (2010) were marginally smaller? Trying to decide what size to cut my boards.

2)Everybody (including my buddy w/ the new one) says there is slop. You have to figure out a way to plug that gap with gasket and some rod (or etc.). So since I'm cutting new, is there any reason I shouldn't just cut them to size so there is no gap? Maybe I won't be able to squeeze them into place if I cut them to size?

3)Finally, what would be your cutting weapon of choice? I want a nice clean line, but I don't know if, say, a table saw will leave a clean cut. They said I could cut it with a utility knife, but that sounds sloppy!

(Bought mine used for $325.00. 4 years old. Hoping I get more heat out of that than I did with my Lopi Endeavor which just could not keep up w/ our square footage. We will see!)

Thanks in advance!

BobUrban said:

I would take dimensions from YOUR stove - in the event it is at all different from your friends(not likely but you never know) I then would cut to FIT w/o a gap. A lot easier to take a little off than add any. Most of us mod to fill the gap so not having one at all would be ideal.

BTW - what/where did you get the aftermarket stuff? How much$?? can you post pics? I am just curious because I find this area the only weak point of an awesome stove. You will be pleased with the heat it throws.

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I cut it with a jigsaw -- not perfect, but close enough. Cut it a bit bigger than the originals and it fits fine. I don't think I'll need to do the "pipe in a gasket" gap fill thingee.

Bob -- I bought 1 inch ceramic fiberboard from these guys... It was only 79 bucks a couple weeks ago! It allows you to cut three boards, which is nice -- one for backup. They admit that their boards are not as dense as the originals, but they are thicker, which provides more insulation. The Englander people said on one thread that the thicker board would cause problems, but enough other people said it worked just fine in their stove so I'm going with "enough other people." I have only burned it once and everything seems to work fine, but it's not really cold enough out to put it through its paces.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ceramic-fib..._Security_Fire_Protection&hash=item1c47677b56

Nerefractory said:

Hi There, not to butt into your conversation... But, I'm a supplier of refractories and ceramic fiber in New England, and I stumbled upon this searching for more markets. I have this material listed much cheaper on Ebay. $15/sqft for 1/2" HD ceramic fiber board. I'll cut it to whatever size you need. We also have 1" in stock. Here is one of our auctions:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/251675177310?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649.

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Dang! Oh, well. If these don't last, I'll give you a call!