How much space can I steal?

[tiber]

This is probably a foolish question but I figured I'd toss it out there.

I'm at the part where I hit the drywall really hard to make a thimble shaped hole.

If I want to brace the ceiling, I can add a frame properly.

But I don't really want to redo all that drywall. I admit it: I suck at drywall. However I'm three inches off in terms of clearance if I don't cut the stud.

How much fudge space do I have?

 

[begreen]

Need some specifics. Can you catch us up on what is the approved plan?

 

[tiber]

Yeah well that's the rub, isn't it?

So the catch up is my $10 home depot stud finder is junk and when I originally submitted plans I was like THERES NO STUD HERE. Suddenly, there's a stud. The house knew what I was doing and it grew it like a salamander grows a tail, I swear to god. Of course I didn't open the drywall before submitting a plan... So we're already off plan.

Attached is the stove plans (the main one) I submitted to the township. The horizontal run through the wall turned out to be ~12 inches so the adjustable section is gone. You'll notice nowhere does it indicate stud cutting. You shall also notice the stove is installed parallel to the wall but in a corner. I'm proposing moving it three inches CLOSER to the corner wall. The obvious (and sane) answer is "DON'T DO IT". I figured I would ask just to see if these were hard and fast or not. Anyone familiar with the VC manual knows the offset chart is a real hack job which is why I figured I would ask.

 

[begreen]

You are right. Don't do it. The minimum side clearance to a protected wall is 14". It would be better to move the stove to the left and increase the distance.

 

[tiber]

ah thats what i figured. as much as i hate cutting a stud, the other direction has a baseboard radiator too close if i go that way. guess we know who is off to rent floor jacks from home depot this weekend.