What happened to Fisher stoves?

Ya just have to go to New Zealand to get one.


http://www.fisherstoves.co.nz/

Here is a news article from 1984 giving more company history. I sent this to Craig and he will be adding it to the Hearth Wiki pages. Enjoy.

http://news.google.com/newspapers?n...WoVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=iuEDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6240,5948702

As far as Bob, believed to be alive at 68 with his wife (69). This man only wanted to build something to heat his home cheaper than what he had. Basically lost his job while doing it, and only wanted to make a living making his stove. Business, lawyers, people he couldn't control spiraled out of control and obviously he wanted out, or he would contact someone or post here. At least he is /was able to live on the royalties of his idea. His full name is easily search-able through his patents, and you can find his fathers patents on the now famous draft cap. Looks like he wants nothing to do with the hearth industry, and knows his body won't take the stress. Hopefully everyone leaves him alone. He just may be a recluse and come out with a shotgun, so I don't advise anyone getting any ideas. Perhaps it's better to leave well enough alone. Thanking you in advance!

My question is WHERE are all the stoves as shown in his patent (3 piece top) that were made by many licensed shops across the US with roughly a 600 piece quota a year ! If there were up to 25 fabricators, most making well over their quota, there should be some surfacing. These will no doubt last the owners a lifetime, but on eBay and craigslist I have only seen the one piece top made after the demand surpassed welding the three piece tops together. I have been watching for years, and able to collect only the mass produced versions. Sooner or later one or more should show up, but will anyone know what it is, and how much will it go for?? Anyone here ever seen, or have one that the upper cook surface plate overhangs the center angled, sloping top piece? It will have a little brim, like the top plate that overhangs the front.
I do have a nice bronze Fisher Stove belt buckle that was available to the dealers only, and have never seen another.
There is also some discrepancy as to which feet were the first, or original design. I'm trying to document if the straight version, facing straight ahead was the first, or the angled version. Some are also marked Eugene Oregon, others are not.

Update 2/22/10;
The straight version is only found on newer stoves with angled legs, and the angled version is shown in the pre 80 brochure.

I see non-epa stoves all over the place. for example

1261 Logwood Wood Stove

http://www.industrydoc.com/WP-3/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Boxwood-Stove.jpg

owners manual

http://www.quakepro.com/stoves/classic/pdf/1261 Manual.pdf

It is exempt by EPA method 28A

here is a description of this "method"

http://www.epa.gov/ttn/emc/promgate/m-28a.pdf

I'd say if you want to make a homemade stove you are good to go so long as it is UL approved and meets this criteria. Heck, look at the englander 12, that's not EPA approved either. I believe that is listed as a "freestanding fireplace" ?

pen

Here is another news article about the changes coming for different stove manufacturers when new laws go into effect in 1988. This gives some insight into a few other companies as well.

September 24 1985, The Register Guard, Eugene Oregon;
Earl Wing (Owner / President) of Fisher - Century Corp. had 35 workers in Eugene Stove Mfg. Works. Producing 18 models in 1985, stated they would be making only 5 models the following year.

http://news.google.com/newspapers?n...WgVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=duEDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5314,5786156

The link takes you to page 72. The pages were scanned sideways, and the second page of the article (section D-2) is at the top right corner of page 73.

The last 5 models made bore the Roman numeral VI, and this article states in 86 there would only be 5 models built. These are the numeral VI stoves, further convincing me that the VI models were design year designations. The Roman numeral III G/M and G/P however started in 1980. So the search goes on where this III designation came from. Since there are so many pre 80 G/M and G/P with the new door style, on the old box design.......... they may have considered that the second generation. When the box was redesigned and baffle added in 1980 they used numeral III for the third redesign of the stove. I can't come up with any other reason for a III since they existed before 1983.

Rewind 1982;

Thank you for your inquiry;
Fisher Stoves International recommends the Insulated Dura Vent chimney, and supplies them in kit form when purchased with your new stove. The manual supplied with your stove states on page 12 to "Orient the connector pipe section (36"), (#8636) so that the open liner end (crimped) is pointed downward, This insures the drip-free integrity. (See drawing)" This condensation can be greatly eliminated by using correctly seasoned wood. Please refer to page 21 in the troubleshooting section of your manual;
#2 MOISTURE
Problem 3. Water vapor in smoke condenses on cooler surfaces.

Solution 3a. Minimize the water vapor by using dry, seasoned wood.
Solution 3b. Avoid green wood during periods of slow burning conditions.
#3 TEMPERATURE OF CHIMNEY
Problem 4. Creosote will condense on a cool surface.

Solution 4a. We do not recommend using thermal-siphon type chimneys as they operate in a very cool mode and may cause creosote to condense.
Solution 4b. Chimneys which rise in the house's interior will not cool as rapidly as chimneys installed on the outside of the house.

Your fisher Stove has been designed to give you many years of enjoyment. Please feel free to ask our factory trained experts at your nearest Fisher Stove Showroom any questions you may have regarding our products and installation.
Thank you for contacting Fisher Stoves Int.