Hearthstone H1 crack and cast iron fail

[mntskier1010]

Greetings,

This was my 1st winter with my recently acquired Hearthstone H1, so happy I got it installed before the arctic air masses moved in!
I bought it lightly used from an older couple who had it in a second home, so it was in great shape. After some basement remodeling and installation, I carefully read the manuals and slowly broke it in again just to be safe.
All winter it has exceeded my expectations of how comfortable and long burning it is!!
I couldn't have been happier ... until .... today as the mercury dipped again, I build a small/medium fire and go upstairs for dinner ...
I come down to find a large horizontal crack along the top right stone on the front face of the stove, closer inspection reveals that the cast iron 'corner' has snapped from its bolts, look closely in the photo and you'll see.

DESPAIR, DISBELIEF, NOOO! this was going to be my pride and joy of heating for years to come ... I'm really upset and I am hoping some of you much more experienced gentlemen will calm my concerns and tell me I'm NOT up the creek with no paddle.

I hadn't burned the stove in about a week, I'm pretty sure the fire size was not to large for the stove only sitting for a few days.
There does not seem to be any air going in the crack, I lit a match and blew it out right by the crack to see if it was pulling any air and from what I can tell it is on the exterior and does not travel all the way to through.

I would appreciate any input you folks could give me on next steps, I assume i can replace the cast iron piece, probably the stone if necessary, but i must say this is quite a disappointing end to my 1st wood stove winter ...

thanks in advance for the information

Cheers

 

[Highbeam]

Holy heck, that's not "hairline".

 

[Dakotas Dad]

It's a stove that is at least 25 years old, and maybe as old as 35 years.. If it's not leaking...

H1 was in production from '78 to '88 if I remember correctly.

I would be surprised if replacement castings can be found.. But you never know.. after a close inspection, I would cement the crack and burn on.

 

[fire_man]

I would contact a local Hearthstone dealer.

Just make sure you ask for someone very familiar with the construction of their stoves, best bet would be to get a direct technical contact at the factory.

 

[Highbeam]

Side stones are hard. You have to take the top off and then lift the side stones up off of the splines. At least it's on top so you can minimize the stove rebuild.

Of course you must realize that the stove is not worth fixing. Grout that crack with stove cement.

 

[jrems]

Put some furnace cement in there and keep burning.

 

[Dakotas Dad]

Welcome to the world of Hearthstone ownership...

You do realize this stove is 25-35 years old, right?

I don't think I am a "fanboy", though I love mine, and the 4 Hearthstones I know personally that are all +5 years old have been flawless, but I don't expect much of anything that is 25+ years old, and probably past the end of it's design life, to still be working like or comparable to new. It does sometimes happen, but it's not to be "expected".. at least not by me.

 

[mntskier1010]

Yes I do know this is an old stove, I got it very cheap, basically just had to move it.
I did my research on the stove and it was in really good condition, so I took a chance on it.
I figured I could get a couple years out of it

Does any one have a recommended product for cementing the crack?

Thanks

 

[DanCorcoran]

Also, could have been some stress on the frame/stones during moving, which when heated caused a weak spot to crack. Not your fault, just life...

 

[begreen]

+1 This is a heavy stove. Did the frame get torqued when moving?
Personally I would feel better knowing the frame is stable. I'm not sure if you can find that part new or maybe get another old one for parts?

 

[BrotherBart]

Most likely isn't sitting level. But finding parts, as had been said, is a dream.

 

[Papa-Yankee-Romeo-Oscar]

Looks like the center stone above the door has been repaired at some point.

 

[Motor7]

Is there glass in those doors along with the screen? I have never seen a screen like that & don't think it is factory. If you have no glass you are just running a big fireplace and all your heat is going up the flue. It also makes me wonder what the heck happened to the original glass?

Your pic makes it hard to see...is this the corner that broke on the casting?

If so, as stated some outside force tweaked the frame possibly before you got the stove. Another possibility is rust. I have seen stones crack & almost burst because the through bolts rusted so bad they expanded and that pressure broke the stone. If it were mine, I would pull the top off(springtime) and get a real good look at what is going on in that corner.

 

[Rich L]

Is there glass in those doors along with the screen? I have never seen a screen like that & don't think it is factory. If you have no glass you are just running a big fireplace and all your heat is going up the flue. It also makes me wonder what the heck happened to the original glass?

You pic makes it hard to see...is this the corner that broke on the casting?

If so, as stated some outside force tweaked the frame possibly before you got the stove. Another possibility is rust. I have seen stones crack & almost burst because the through bolts rusted so bad they expanded and that pressure broke the stone. If it were mine, I would pull the top off(springtime) and get a real good look at what is going on in that corner.

 

[Rich L]

Yo I purchased a rebuilt H1 which had me sweating all winter.A great machine.The man who rebuilt it is from Vermont.His name is Randy.Contact him at 802-279-7298.He's a Hearthstone technician who rebuilds Hearthstone stoves on the side.He did a great job with mine.I can't get over how great this stove is.I'm sure he has valuable information for your situation.

 

[Motor7]

Yo I purchased a rebuilt H1 which had me sweating all winter.A great machine.The man who rebuilt it is from Vermont.His name is Randy.Contact him at 802-279-7298.He's a Hearthstone technician who rebuilds Hearthstone stoves on the side.He did a great job with mine.I can't get over how great this stove is.I'm sure he has valuable information for your situation.

That sounds like excellent advice Rich.

 

[Rich L]

That sounds like excellent advice Rich.

Thanks for your thoughts Motor7.I just hope the author of this post follows up on the advice and reports back.It bothers me that much good advice is shared with a so-called seeker of info and you never hear back from them as how it went.That to me is sad and shows a lack of courtesy.

 

[mntskier1010]

Greetings --
Rich L - sorry to upset you by not responding, I went ahead with a deep cleaning and cementing the crack.
We shall see how this winter goes, I am hoping to get one more season out of it ...
I very much appreciate all the good advice you all quickly provided me!

.

 

[bholler]

where is the cast failed? i wouldnt burn it with that crack personally but the failed cast is a real big concern to me

 

[Rich L]

Greetings --
Rich L - sorry to upset you by not responding, I went ahead with a deep cleaning and cementing the crack.
We shall see how this winter goes, I am hoping to get one more season out of it ...
I very much appreciate all the good advice you all quickly provided me!

.

Call Randy and get many more seasons out of it instead of one.