Custom Made Stove Tools......

[Shmudda]

I'm finding the basic tools of the trade (shovel & poker) for the stove are not really cutting it anymore. Has anyone made a custom tool for their stove that works really well? Post pics if you have them!!

Craig

 

[Excavator]

I have made a poker from 5/16 rebar that masons use in foundations.
Simple, strong and success. I just heated up one end and bent a loop for a handle.

 

[DexterDay]

I didnt make it... But I use my Coal Rake more than any other tool.

Can be used to move a log over, drag it forward, used as a poker, and getting the coals in a nice row up front.

 

[jackofalltrades]

I made my own coal rake and poker from half inch cold roll steel and put the metal spring handles on them. I also made a metal stand for them. I really need to come up with a better shovel though. The one I have is thin metal and I would like to build something better but it is going to take some real shaping to make a shovel.

 

[Stump_Branch]

Ash hoe, just a piece of flat bar on the end of round rod. Best tool ever. Id love to get a shovel with the middle cut out, expanded metal to cover it, so i can filter ash from coals.

 

[Battenkiller]

Over 20 years ago, I stuck a length of 3/8" round steel into the air intake of my old box stove and fashioned the red-hot metal into a better poker over a block of scrap steel. I heated the other end up and folded it over to make a handle. It worked perfectly for positioning logs at the back of the stove, some 27" from the door. After I switched to the Vigilant, I found that it was the perfect tool to reach down from the top load door and clean out the five air intake holes while the fire was still burning fiercely. I did this entirely by feel since it was impossible to see way down there past the flames that were shooting up and out past the smoke shelf.

Another favorite tool is a mod of a 6-tine garden cultivator. I just cut off about 3" from the end of each tine and cut down the long handle to about 2 feet and it became the best damn coal rake I've ever used. Moves the big coals you care about, and leaves the piddling stuff behind in the ashes.

As far as a better shovel, nothing can beat the NeverBreak shovel that used to come with every VC stove. It is so strong that if I was ever threaten by an intruder, that would be what I would reach for to defend myself. A guy catching a good swing from a NeverBreak probably wouldn't be getting up any time soon, it's about as tough and stout as the come. I'll never let mine go, but you can grab one right now on Ebay:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=neverbreak+shovel

 

[LLigetfa]

I made my own ash hoe/coal rake combo that is my #1 go to tool.

 

[BobUrban]

as an amature blacksmith with access to all things steel I make all of my tools, and my friends tools, and some oftheir friend tools, and some for family members, and some of their friends, and....

Seems once people see a set of custom tools they all want them. If I charged them for my labor either they cold not afford it or it would not be fun anymore. I make custom kitchen and hunting knives too. Just a hobby.

I have a coal rake planned in my mind. Just have to find time to get to the shop and knock it out. I also thought about making another shovel with an expanded metal bottom like mentioned above for separating coals from ash.

Not a great pic but best I have of my set at the moment

 

[Creature]

Another favorite tool is a mod of a 6-tine garden cultivator.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=neverbreak+shovel

Got a little unmodified 3 tine cultivator that I use with my stove gloves to rake my coals. Not much length needed with my little T4.

 

[chris2879]

This ash rake is made out of a 3x5 piece of aluminum that came with a radio shack project box. It put a 90 degree bend in it and attached it to a piece of aluminum square channel I had laying around. It doesn't hold heat and is great to move coals around on reloads. I use this much more than the poker.

 

[bogydave]

I made my own ash hoe/coal rake combo that is my #1 go to tool.

A pic of it would be useful.
Want to make a 3 teeth one, but how much gap between the teeth?

 

[BobUrban]

A rake I just fabbed at the forge I thought I would post here. have not had a chance to test drive it yet because it is 80+ degees here in Mid-Michigan