how to cut Lopi surround panels

[digrox]

Hi all--

I had a Lopi Answer wood-burning fireplace insert installed this week. I had to get the 10" surround panel kit to completely cover the fireplace opening above the insert, but the panels extend farther to the sides than I'd like (covering up more of the brick hearth than I'd like), and I'm considering having them cut down to better match the fireplace opening that they cover.

Can anyone tell me what metal the panels are made of (stainless steel?) and what my best option for having them trimmed may be? I assume this isn't something I can do myself (or at least not do well myself) with hand tools or woodworking power tools.

Thanks much.

 

[kingquad]

I'd get the dimensions you want and take it to a sheet metal fabrication shop and have them cut it with a shear. That will get you a perfectly straight cut. No way would I try using hand tools. You could probably use snips for the trim pieces, but a band saw or a dremel w/ cutting wheel would probably end up looking much cleaner. I'd be very careful if the trim is gold anodized, as it could chip. A sheet metal shop could do this in just a few minutes, so it shouldn't cost much at all.

 

[Mt Ski Bum]

If you have any welding equipment around, you Could try using a plasma-cutter or an oxy-acetelene/oxy-propane cutting torch.

 

[digrox]

There are definitely some sheet metal shops around-- I'll give one of them a try. The material is pretty straightforward-- it's all just black (painted, I guess) metal-- no gold on the trim. The installers told me I might be able to use a hacksaw in a miter box to cut the trim pieces (which are basically like black picture frame sectionals), but that the big ol' flat panels would be more difficult.

Definitely no welding equipment available to me-- although a plasma-cutter sounds pretty awesome.

Thanks for the suggestions--

 

[Mt Ski Bum]

Definitely no welding equipment available to me-- although a plasma-cutter sounds pretty awesome.

they're super fun to use, & they create a much cleaner cut than a gas torch (which means less grinding!)... I used one all the time in high school welding class... one of these days I would like to get one (as well as some various other welding equipment) for myself... oh well, another thing to add to my list of things to buy someday

Anyways, best of luck with re-sizing your surround... def. keep us updated, maybe even some before & after pics... (if you hang around here long enough, you'll start to see that people on this forum like pictures )

 

[kingquad]

digrox,
be sure to take your stove manual with you so they can see how the surround is put together. Your not changing the height, so the side trim pieces shouldn't need modified. The top trim piece will need to be cut down at both ends. It looks like there is a small flange for the "L bracket" to slide into. Make sure that this runs the full length of the top trim piece. If it doesn't, then talk to the fabricator about coming up with a solution so that you will be able to connect the trim pieces together. Good luck.

 

[Wood Heat Stoves]

They're not stainless steel but I would certainly not try to do it yourself and take them to a local sheet metal fabricating shop to it.

 

[digrox]

Just wanted to say thanks to the folks here for the advice on trimming the surround panels. I disassembled the surround over the weekend, and took the pieces to a local sheet metal shop this morning. They made the cuts in a couple of minutes, I reassembled everything (even found the tiny set screw that I thought had rolled under the insert never to be seen again), and I think it looks great. Total cost for the cuts was $20. Success!

Before (great big surround) and after (smaller surround) pics are below.

 

[daveswoodhauler]

Looks great. Have the same stove and surround, and I think I might try the same with a local sheet metal shop.
You will like the Answer Insert....heats our home nicely.

 

[digrox]

Thanks-- we're looking forward to trying it out! Got plenty of wood cut and seasoned from an oak that came down last spring; the weather just needs to get cold (it's supposed to be up around 100º here later this week).

 

[begreen]

That's a nice improvement, good job!

 

[Don2222]

Hello

Looks much better cut down. It is more proportional!

Do you have the blower in the Lopi? That really belts out heat!

 

[Mt Ski Bum]

Just wanted to say thanks to the folks here for the advice on trimming the surround panels. I disassembled the surround over the weekend, and took the pieces to a local sheet metal shop this morning. They made the cuts in a couple of minutes, I reassembled everything (even found the tiny set screw that I thought had rolled under the insert never to be seen again), and I think it looks great. Total cost for the cuts was $20. Success!

Before (great big surround) and after (smaller surround) pics are below.

nice job! that Lopi looks sharp! CONGRATS!

 

[Mt Ski Bum]

Just wanted to say thanks to the folks here for the advice on trimming the surround panels. I disassembled the surround over the weekend, and took the pieces to a local sheet metal shop this morning. They made the cuts in a couple of minutes, I reassembled everything (even found the tiny set screw that I thought had rolled under the insert never to be seen again), and I think it looks great. Total cost for the cuts was $20. Success!

Before (great big surround) and after (smaller surround) pics are below.

nice job! that Lopi looks sharp! CONGRATS!

 

[Mt Ski Bum]

Just wanted to say thanks to the folks here for the advice on trimming the surround panels. I disassembled the surround over the weekend, and took the pieces to a local sheet metal shop this morning. They made the cuts in a couple of minutes, I reassembled everything (even found the tiny set screw that I thought had rolled under the insert never to be seen again), and I think it looks great. Total cost for the cuts was $20. Success!

Before (great big surround) and after (smaller surround) pics are below.

nice job! that Lopi looks sharp! CONGRATS!

 

[digrox]

Thanks. And yep, got the blower-- sounds like that's pretty much required for pulling the heat out of the insert.