Hearthstone II

This is my first thread...

Just picked this gem up from Craigslist. It has a sprung corner as shown in the photos. My guess would be that someone tried to remove the cracked stone in this corner and gave up on the repair before it got too far.

My questions are: are the stones cemented in place, or are they dry-fit? What is a decent cement to use to repair a cracked-through stone and to reattach the stone to the stove? Finally, can you put the top flue exit onto the rear to make it a rear exit stove? The parts diagrams show different parts, but I wonder if they are the same size.

Well, I took the top off and that one corner post off. The stones are broken in that corner, and the post seems true. I believe the stones are pushing the post out. I am planning to repair the cracked stones with cement and reassemble. Pics below--comments and further thoughts very welcome.

Are these hearthstone stoves cemented across the inside fully? Or just in the seams between the stones? I see the seams, but can't tell if this other stuff is buildup or cement.

Pics:

Almost ready to fire up...

Made a new brace for inside door frame.

Here is why the corner sprung--need to drill and tap new holes.

All done--new holes drilled and tapped in the sprung corner, & stones all together, a great many of which were broken into multiple pieces. You can see where a lot of the cracks are with the white cement.

Thanks. We will soon see whether this was a good idea. I am ultimately planning on this going in a workshop, but will use it in the house until my pretty new Woodstock arrives.

Pretty well. It is what it is--a 30 year old stove that was a bit abused. I got my woodstock stove installed and am in the process of setting this one up in a workshop space.