Avalon Firebox split what should I do?

[quickrch]

I have an Avalon Astoria it is in the limited warranty stage now. It has a split in one of the seams of the firebox. I must admit that at first I thought that the brick back bent on its own. Later I realized that gas and fly ash was pushing back through the exhaust chamber behind the burn area into the burn area. The limited warranty covers one way shipping and the firebox repair. Here are my options as I see them:

• Take the stove out of my house, drive it 70 miles to the nearest dealer (stove is no longer near a dealer) who can ship it back to the manufacture. I pay one way shipping which was $600+ when it was shipped to my house. The transaction takes 8-10 weeks.
• Take the stove locally and have a welder put a bead on the seam. I think this will seal it and end issue. buy a new brick back.
• Contact the dealer and see if I can order a firebox and replace it myself. I am not a stove person but I have repaired other mechanical things and have moderate to advanced mechanical skills and tools.
• Just buy a new stove (this is too expensive

Has anyone had a problem like this? Any experts out there with some advice?

 

[Peterfield]

Find a local talented welder and I'll bet they can effect a repair without much fuss. A friend of mine had his wood stove repaired that way and no problems since.

 

[quickrch]

Find a local talented welder and I'll bet they can effect a repair without much fuss. A friend of mine had his wood stove repaired that way and no problems since.

Wonderful, thank you.