Adding heat sheilds to old trailblazer wood stove.

[nojo]

Hello,
I want to add a heat shield to the side and rear of a small Trailblazer wood stove I have.

The plan is to attach 1/4" x 1 1/2" bolts to the wood stove to accommodate the attachment of 1/8" heat shields. My brother has a similar stove that has 1/4 x 1 1/2 threaded rod attached by the manufacturer to the rear of the stove to accommodate heat shields.

My question is would I be better of welding the bolts in place, or drilling and bolting them in place from the inside. Would that cause potential problems? The clearance tag on the back is attached by screws that are into the firebox. I figure this would not be much different. Thoughts?

thanks,
Joe

 

[firefighterjake]

My thinking . . . if you just want to add a home-built heat shield on to the stove for your own peace of mind, but will still be sticking with the manufacturer's specs for clearances to combustibles as if there was no heat shield . . . go for it.

If you're thinking about altering a product with the intention of reducing clearances I would suggest buying the OEM heat shield if available or build the heat shield off the wall per NFPA 211.

 

[Fsappo]

Exactly what Jake said. If you do a home made job and had trouble down the road, you may have issues with insurance claims, ect. I used to sell those Trailblazer stoves up in the Lake George area. Just hearing the name brings back memories. In some cases it's just as easy to make your wall a protected surface as it is drilling/welding a shield onto your stove.

 

[moosetrek]

If they made an OEM one, then get the specs and replicate; using the same gauge material if you want to reduce clearances. Is 1/8" std? That sounds thicker (therefore more heat-retaining) than some I've seen. Oh, I'd weld the bolts it's a ton faster than dinking around inside the firebox, but I'm a weldin' fool so that's my answer to most things - weld it together, cut it apart. Maybe some 7018 with 1" GR 8 bolts? JK- good luck with the project.

 

[nojo]

Thanks guys. This is a corner area made by prev owners. It was done poorly. Concrete board screwed directly to the drywall. hearth made of wood (with burn marks from legs) much too small for area. Very close to a window. I removed concrete board to find char marks on drywall. I have hung dura-rock on the combustible walls space off 1 1/4" no fasteners directly behind the stove. Built out harth 14 more inches and coverd in durarock and then covered with brick. This is temp as it will be covered in granite soon, so will combustible walls. One problem is that there is a window too close. I was going to make a durarock/metal shield for now and put it free standing between the window and the stove. later will be replaced by a piece of granite. I was going to attach a heat shield to that side because Im a bit paranoid.

Here is an image. The red piece will be the freestanding divider between window on stove.

What do you think?

(broken image removed)

 

[moosetrek]

I think it's a good idea, if it helps peace of mind - but I think it's usually 16-14 gau, not 1/8" might be safer to dissipate heat better. What is the recommended clearance from mfr?