Cleaned the chimney & Summit today (no no beers today).

[kevinmoelk]

Just another comment on the wasps... thanks for bringing that up Hog... I didn't think about that. I will light a small fire prior to my clean out just in case. I'm allergic to wasps, so anything to avoid them is good for me. Also, just a note to anyone else dealing with bees/wasps... they are FAR less active and aggressive when it's cold outside. So if you can get up at sunrise or tackle them at sunset you're less likely to get stung/bit.

I got bit twice a couple weeks ago while working outside... now I'm not the type to need to get to the hospital, but for me I've got to stop whatever I'm doing, go inside and put some cortizone on and take a benedryl. Needless to say it's difficult to get inspired after taking a benedryl, lol.

-Kevin

 

[Gooserider]

Just another comment on the wasps... thanks for bringing that up Hog... I didn't think about that. I will light a small fire prior to my clean out just in case. I'm allergic to wasps, so anything to avoid them is good for me. Also, just a note to anyone else dealing with bees/wasps... they are FAR less active and aggressive when it's cold outside. So if you can get up at sunrise or tackle them at sunset you're less likely to get stung/bit.

I got bit twice a couple weeks ago while working outside... now I'm not the type to need to get to the hospital, but for me I've got to stop whatever I'm doing, go inside and put some cortizone on and take a benedryl. Needless to say it's difficult to get inspired after taking a benedryl, lol.

-Kevin

As a beekeeper, I would not agree with the cold lowering the agression level, especially early morning or late evening... At least with honeybees, which are generally a non-problem in any case. I haven't studied wasps and yellow jackets extensively, but a lot of the same factors that would impact honeybees should apply - They don't fly as well when it's cold, and they tend to cluster up more, but they are also a bit grouchier if disturbed. (however overly hot temps can be a problem as well. They also don't forage when it's dark, so it is best NOT to bother them at dawn or late in the evening - times when EVERYBODY is home - if you have to deal with them, mid day is better simply because a large part of the colony will be out foraging. Looking for flight paths can also give a clue as to where they are as well. Rain also keeps them home and makes them irritable.

IOW, optimum conditions are typically mid-day, temps around 75*F, sunny or partly cloudy, w/ no rain likely in the near future. You will have more activity, but there will be the lowest number home, and they will be as mellow as they are going to get - in the case of wasps and yellow jackets, that isn't very...

Gooserider

 

[rich81]

hey hog my baffle has a little bend in it also, i think its from trying to cram an extra stick or two for an overnighter! when u cleaned ur baffle u took it apart? it looks like theres insulation in there so i didn't wanna mess with it. what did u use to sweep the chimney with?

 

[kevinmoelk]

As a beekeeper, I would not agree with the cold lowering the agression level, especially early morning or late evening... At least with honeybees, which are generally a non-problem in any case. I haven't studied wasps and yellow jackets extensively, but a lot of the same factors that would impact honeybees should apply - They don't fly as well when it's cold, and they tend to cluster up more, but they are also a bit grouchier if disturbed. (however overly hot temps can be a problem as well. They also don't forage when it's dark, so it is best NOT to bother them at dawn or late in the evening - times when EVERYBODY is home - if you have to deal with them, mid day is better simply because a large part of the colony will be out foraging. Looking for flight paths can also give a clue as to where they are as well. Rain also keeps them home and makes them irritable.

IOW, optimum conditions are typically mid-day, temps around 75*F, sunny or partly cloudy, w/ no rain likely in the near future. You will have more activity, but there will be the lowest number home, and they will be as mellow as they are going to get - in the case of wasps and yellow jackets, that isn't very...

Gooserider

Off topic, sorry folks. Interesting thoughts Goose. I have no evidence of my theory other than when I've had to battle them it always seems like an easier battle when it's cold outside. I don't deal with bees, and frankly unless bees were on or in my house somewhere I'd just leave them alone. Wasps are plentiful around here and when it's warm and you spray their nests they get all excited and fly around and attack you. First thing in the morning there may indeed be more of them on the nest, but you spray them and they all just kind off fall straight down and die. So maybe it's the speed factor moreso than the actual number of them. Just my observation and experience. I'll continue to battle wasps at dusk and dawn... I'll leave the bees for a mid afternoon day.

-Kevin

 

[Hogwildz]

Hog are you telling me that you can clean liners? I pulled the one I installed last year out and put in a new one last week. Damn! :red:

You aren't serious BB are you? Did you really replace a 1yr old liner? And if so, why? I have a feeling your jesting, but, now I wonder.

 

[BrotherBart]

Hog are you telling me that you can clean liners? I pulled the one I installed last year out and put in a new one last week. Damn! :red:

You aren't serious BB are you? Did you really replace a 1yr old liner? And if so, why? I have a feeling your jesting, but, now I wonder.

Yep. I had too. See post #23 above.

 

[Hogwildz]

hey hog my baffle has a little bend in it also, i think its from trying to cram an extra stick or two for an overnighter! when u cleaned ur baffle u took it apart? it looks like theres insulation in there so i didn't wanna mess with it. what did u use to sweep the chimney with?

Rich, baffle wasn't so bad, the top plate over the insulation was bowed. I bent the two tabs straght, pulled it off, and manipulated it as straight as I could by hand & food.
I didn't mess with the baffle insulation itself. Which actually sits on top of the enclosed baffle chamber & below the top plate (bowed plate). The enclosed part of the baffle chamber (section where secondary burn jets are) was clean after shining a light in there. Only the air coming up to the secondary burn jets goes through there. The smoke & spent gases flow over top of that "bowed plate" & up the chimney. I think they should have gone a few gauges thicker on that s.s. top plate. and maybe added a support rail in the center. I been thinking, with a small enough diameter & very flexible vacuum hose, baffle may be able to be left in place, sweep crud down, then send vac hose over baffle and just suck the crud off the top of the plate. Sounds feasible, but everything always looks good on paper & in thought, sometimes when actually doing, it doesn't work as planned though As I advised a few architects in my roofing days

I did notice the bottom of baffle had a slight bow to it, you have to take in account a span of metal even s.s. that large, after being heated is going to sag a bit.
If I notice it getting worse, I just might make a custom heavier gauge baffle. I have actually lifted the baffle a lil bit by stuffing just a lil too tall a split in there, but I want maximum package, .

 

[Hogwildz]

Sorry BB. I should have read further before asking a question that was already answered. I must have ADD, or ADHD, or whatever the new term is these days. When I was a kid it was called hyperactive, names changed alot over the years. And the meds pawned off also, funny how in the olden days, folks grew up and got by just fine without alot of these medications.

 

[Csmith]

Just pulled the baffle off the summit insert for the first time, and there is no reasonable trace of a baffle gasket , Im assumining it should go around the little lip in the firebox around the supply tube. I found some pieces of crispy thin plastic in the firebox (after I tilted the baffle out). Is it possible:

1) the gasket was incinerated and ended up as crispy thin plastic looking things?

2) got stuck on the baffle and then fell into the supply tube when I lifted it out?

If 2, should I get the snake out and go fishing ?

Thanks for all your help

 

[Gunner]

Just pulled the baffle off the summit insert for the first time, and there is no reasonable trace of a baffle gasket , Im assumining it should go around the little lip in the firebox around the supply tube. I found some pieces of crispy thin plastic in the firebox (after I tilted the baffle out). Is it possible:

1) the gasket was incinerated and ended up as crispy thin plastic looking things?

2) got stuck on the baffle and then fell into the supply tube when I lifted it out?

If 2, should I get the snake out and go fishing ?

Thanks for all your help

1. It's possible.
2. I doubt it.

I would not worry about it, just get a new one. At about $5 each I lay a new one in whenever I take the baffle out (once a year) they are very thin and fragile to begin with.

 

[Hogwildz]

I agree with Gunner on this one. I got a package of 3 gaskets for 3 somehting a pc plus postage from Tom at Chimneysweepsonline.
Tom is a good guy and I'd rather give my business to him. My dealer didn't stock it, and I don't care for my dealer much.
My business always goes to a consumer friendly person.

Just get the gaskets, get some backups to keep on hand. Put it on and be done.
Mine came with 2 from factory installed. Maybe I got yours too .
So hell I out 2 back on.

 

[Corie]

Hey Hogz


My firebox is bigger than yours

 

[Csmith]

Mine came with 2 from factory installed. Maybe I got yours too .

That was option 3 , thanks for the tip ordered four today

 

[Hogwildz]

Hey Hogz


My firebox is bigger than yours

I'm still waiting on that 5 cf firebox design!
Did you move the lil missus down with ya now?