Newbie Used Question - Lopi Endeavor

[chargervp]

Well I got a new cabin up north with a fuel oil furnace so the first thing I wanted to do is put a good stove in. I have been researching like crazy (mostly on this awesome forum) but stumbled on to a neighbor that is getting rid of his Lopi Endeavor. His house is the size of our cabin up north and he says the endeavor did a great job with plenty of heat. But the stove is 7 years old and he is asking $700 for it. Any advice on what I should look at when inspecting it and what could be wrong with a 7 year old stove? What is the life of a stove if it isn't repeatedly over-fired?

 

[Wood Heat Stoves]

The Lopi Endeavor is a well built stove and will do a good job heating. I have the larger model, the Liberty, and love it. The most common thing that would need to be replaced in that stove would be the secondary air tubes in the upper inside under the brick baffle plate. These are round tubes with holes in them. If they're very warpped or are eatten away they should be replaced but it's easy. They're held in with roll pins and can be purchesed from a Lopi dealer. Also check for cracks in the glass, broken firebrick, or any broken welds.

 

[chargervp]

Great, that's the information I was looking for. Do you think $700 is reasonable?

 

[dougand3]

His house is the size of our cabin up north

How many sq ft? Is cabin insulated well?

 

[chargervp]

It's 1315 Sqft and I think it is insulated pretty good.
I plan on placing the stove right in the middle of the house with an open living/dining/kitchen area open in front and bedrooms down the hall next to it.

 

[dougand3]

Sounds like the 2.2 cf Endeavor is big enough - provided climate isn't much colder. Is $700 for 7yo Lopi Endeavor that may need $75-$100 burn tube kit a good deal? Seems high to me when many new stoves will be $600-$1000 about now with clearance sales. And Travis/Lopi won't sell you parts - they always refer you to the dealer. If you have a good service, reasonable dealer - may work fine. A bad service, high priced dealer would be ugly. That limited parts option seems too constraining. If you want to bargain with neighbor, show him Lowes, HD, Northern Tool, Tractor Supply prices for new stoves. Maybe you can get price down.

 

[lopiliberty]

I would recommend checking the secondary air manifold in the corners for cracks, where the red line is in the picture. My liberty developed a hairline crack from expansion and contraction not being overfired but doesn't effect it at all. $700 sounds a little on the high side for a 7 year old stove but if its in perfect condition, considering what they cost new I would not pass it up

 

[chargervp]

I would recommend checking the secondary air manifold in the corners for cracks, where the red line is in the picture. My liberty developed a hairline crack from expansion and contraction not being overfired but doesn't effect it at all. $700 sounds a little on the high side for a 7 year old stove but if its in perfect condition, considering what they cost new I would not pass it up
View attachment 98511

Great information. I wouldn't have thought to look in there at the welds. It sounds like this isn't a great deal, so I'll keep an open mind and see if he is willing to deal. Kinda weird haggling with a neighbor, but I'll give it a try.

 

[ArsenalDon]

I would say 700 for an endeavor is a little bit on the steep side of a good deal. You do have the right size stove for your Sq footage, but you should be able to pick it up for less. doug had it right as did lopiliberty

 

[Treacherous]

Is it a basic Endeavor or does it have upgrades on the legs, door, glass and blower?

My Endeavor (new in '10) was around $2600. It has the pewter door & legs, elk scene on glass and a blower.

 

[jeff_t]

Seven hundred isn't too far off, considering the price of a new Endeavor. I would, of course, throw a lowball offer. It is April.

This has been up for a few days http://annarbor.craigslist.org/app/3703790684.html Probably a bit on the small side for warming up a cold weekend place in a hurry. It would do a good job once it is warmed up with the furnace.

Where is the new place?

 

[rideau]

I find it highly questionable whether a Keystone will heat the pictured home with all that glass if it is 3000 square feet. It is a relatively small stove. On the other hand, a well insulated 1400 square foot home should be a breeze for this stove, and it is a great stove. That's one you could jump on with no worries. Surprised it hasn't sold. Great price. Original poster: seriously consider the Keystone if it is still available. Great opportunity. And Woodstock will support you through the years just as if you were the original purchaser.

 

[jeff_t]

That Keystone is only about fifteen minutes from my house. I'd be happy to check it out.

 

[Wood Heat Stoves]

I think if the stove and the secondary air tubes are in good shape, $700. is a reasonable price, but I would offer lower to start. I've burned my Liberty for 10 years as my only souce of heat in a 2000 sq ft house and I've never had to replace them. I do have a small crack in the upper inner corner weld like described above but it has never caused any problems. Lopi was offering to fix these under warranty for a time but only to the original owner.

 

[jensent]

Is it a basic Endeavor or does it have upgrades on the legs, door, glass and blower?

My Endeavor (new in '10) was around $2600. It has the pewter door & legs, elk scene on glass and a blower.

We have had our Lopi since 2003. A set of upgraded secondary combustion tubes (stainless) and a couple of firebrick are all we have replaced. I think we paid about $2500 when new. I feel these are really quality stoves. I wouldn't attempt to compare them with the brands found in big box or farm stores. Our home is 1800 sq. ft. and our annual gas bill (forced air furnace when needed, hot water and clothes dryer) stay under $500. $700 seems fair to me. Good luck.
Tom

 

[lopiliberty]

I think if the stove and the secondary air tubes are in good shape, $700. is a reasonable price, but I would offer lower to start. I've burned my Liberty for 10 years as my only souce of heat in a 2000 sq ft house and I've never had to replace them. I do have a small crack in the upper inner corner weld like described above but it has never caused any problems. Lopi was offering to fix these under warranty for a time but only to the original owner.

Have you had to replace the center baffle support in those 10 years?

 

[Wood Heat Stoves]

Have you had to replace the center baffle support in those 10 years?

No, I haven't had to replace anything. I've burned it very hot at times, too. I'm actually surprised I haven't had to replace the secondary air tubes because I sold Lopi's for years and we'd get customers in buying those on a regualr basis.

 

[chargervp]

Well I dug into it and the air tubes are solid, no cracks anywhere. The blower with thermostat came with it and one fire brick was broke. The outside looked really good. I went ahead and bought it and I think it is going to be perfect for my cabin. Hey Jeff, the new place is up by Hubbard Lake.
Thanks for all the information everyone. Now I'm going to start my research hearths and non-combustable walls.

 

[lopiliberty]

Thanks for all the information everyone. Now I'm going to start my research hearths and non-combustable walls​

It doesn't have to necessarily be a non-combustible wall but its always the best way to go. It can be placed 4 1/4 inches to a combustible wall and if you use double wall pipe and run the blower a lot the wall should just be slightly warm to the touch, at least its that way with my liberty

 

[jeff_t]

Sounds like you did good. Did you do better than $700?

We looked around Hubbard Lake. Ended up at Lake Huron, between Rogers City and Cheboygan. Lots of screamin' real estate buys right now.

 

[lopiliberty]

Does it have the black door and legs?

 

[chargervp]

I tried to talk him down, but he said that he would try to sell it on Craigslist first and if it didn't sell he would go down. He knew it was a fair price.

Yea, if there was ever a time to buy a cabin up north, it is now. Unbelieveable prices.

 

[chargervp]

Does it have the black door and legs?

Black Door and pedastal. Do you have any idea how much legs are?

 

[lopiliberty]

My dealer sells the black cast legs for $69 I think the black steel legs are standard and they came with my stove so I don't have any idea on the price for them

 

[lopiliberty]

Don't you like the pedestal? I like them because it elevates the stove making it easier to load wood, but it you don't like the pedestal you could go with legs and build a raised hearth like I did, well my uncle made the oak platform and then the rock went on top of that