Anyone install a Stainless Steel fire Door Trim on an older Harman P68

[Don2222]

Hello
This was a used SS fire door trim panel for sale for $175. Since only the P68 door handle moves up and down, It has a verticle rectangle slot for the fire door handle and measures 17” wide x 14” high on the edge so this SS trim is made only for the P68.

After ripping off the old OEM white fire door gasket we could easily see the round circles to drill the 1/4” holes from the inside of the fire door. Using a 1/4” titanium drill bit and some drops of rapid tap we got through the cast iron door quite easily. The next step of course was the hardest. The other P series stoves where the fire door handle just rotates to open has a round hole in the trim and goes on easily. However on the P68 the latching mechanism must come out! The tiny Alan set screw must be wire wheeled to remove the paint and sprayed with PB Blaster before the Alan wrench can break the bond before it strips out the set screw! Then the pin that holds the latch to the door must be wire wheeled on each end to remove the paint and also sprayed with PB Blaster before it can be tapped out with a hammer and harden steel nail set. Now the door trim can be put on by placing the studs through the drilled holes and in this case we used nice 10-32 serated flange nuts to hold it on good. Then before putting the latch back we wire wheeled the pin and sprayed it with dry moly lube. The pin slid right in and the alan set screw went back in just as easily. Then using high temperature clear silicone sealant we attached a new high quality anti stick 3/8” graphite impregnated door gasket after wire wheeling the old cement out of the gasket channel on the inside of the fire door. We also used Harmans new anti pop slide lock-in door pins for a nice secure latch up. We also got the Stainless Steel ash door frame with the wolf scenic tile to complete the dress up.

 

[Whitenuckler]

Hello
This was a used SS fire door trim panel for sale for $175. Since only the P68 door handle moves up and down, It has a verticle rectangle slot for the fire door handle and measures 17” wide x 14” high on the edge so this SS trim is made only for the P68.

After ripping off the old OEM white fire door gasket we could easily see the round circles to drill the 1/4” holes from the inside of the fire door. Using a 1/4” titanium drill bit and some drops of rapid tap we got through the cast iron door quite easily. The next step of course was the hardest. The other P series stoves where the fire door handle just rotates to open has a round hole in the trim and goes on easily. However on the P68 the latching mechanism must come out! The tiny Alan set screw must be wire wheeled to remove the paint and sprayed with PB Blaster before the Alan wrench can break the bond before it strips out the set screw! Then the pin that holds the latch to the door must be wire wheeled on each end to remove the paint and also sprayed with PB Blaster before it can be tapped out with a hammer and harden steel nail set. Now the door trim can be put on by placing the studs through the drilled holes and in this case we used nice 10-32 serated flange nuts to hold it on good. Then before putting the latch back we wire wheeled the pin and sprayed it with dry moly lube. The pin slid right in and the alan set screw went back in just as easily. Then using high temperature clear silicone sealant we attached a new high quality anti stick 3/8” graphite impregnated door gasket after wire wheeling the old cement out of the gasket channel on the inside of the fire door. We also used Harmans new anti pop slide lock-in door pins for a nice secure latch up. We also got the Stainless Steel ash door frame with the wolf scenic tile to complete the dress up.

Nice work. I sometimes wish I had the stainless options on my P43. My stove is not really in a spot that gets much attention as it's in a corner down in the basement. Good job describing the work done. I'm sure that will help others.

 

[Ocelot]

Looks nice! I did the same on my P43. Some of the other trim parts I made myself because of the prices. I made the plate for the ash door out of aluminum and cut the compass out on my scrollsaw. I also made the stainless steel trim guard for the room air blower by welding up some round stainless rods and some stainless flat stock.