How to clear an exhaust tube around a corner?

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bradleydavidgood777

Member
Mar 23, 2020
59
Quarryville, PA
Harmon Accentra insert 2012.

The left exhaust tube in a pellet stove and the tube is about 1" square and is a about a foot and a half curved and at the end of that foot and a half it is hard packed with years of ash.

I got a plumbing auger on a drill in there and it broke thru, but now it seems to just be going back thru the same hole, about the size of the end of the auger (just smaller than a finger).

I can't get to the other side because there is a steel box and corners - can't fit tools into the other end.

So I have to go a foot and a half around a smooth bend to the clog.

Any ideas?

Thanks!
 
I've got a 90deg bend in my pipe so I run the brush in from both ends.
 
Thanks for the ideas. My clog is extremely hard. and it's actually 3 ft or more around the corner when I count where the front of the stove is.

I did make some progress with some stuff I went and bought, but I can't use it again because it was too tight and almost didn't come back out.

But I did widen my hole twice as large as the plumbing auger. And probably enough that the stove will run just fine. But I really would like to get it completely clear, so that new ash doesn't have a lip to hang up on .

It's gotta be something that will break up really hard stuff.

Maybe there is a longer thinner extension for a drill with a locking end and I could get the larger step drill bit onto it. Because the larger step drill bit fits into the tube, it's just the extensions I had are too wide.

Here is what I did so far:
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Here is an image I found of the left side tube, and below that, an update video of where I stand and what I'm trying next:

[Hearth.com] How to clear an exhaust tube around a corner?


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bradleydavidgood777 said:
Harmon Accentra insert 2012.

The left exhaust tube in a pellet stove and the tube is about 1" square and is a about a foot and a half curved and at the end of that foot and a half it is hard packed with years of ash.

I got a plumbing auger on a drill in there and it broke thru, but now it seems to just be going back thru the same hole, about the size of the end of the auger (just smaller than a finger).

I can't get to the other side because there is a steel box and corners - can't fit tools into the other end.

So I have to go a foot and a half around a smooth bend to the clog.

Any ideas?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

ChgImposs 3.2Ft/98CM Flexible Shaft Drill Bit Extension, Multifunctional Flex Shaft Inner Tube Core with 8mm Chuck for Table Grinder/Electric Drill, Drill Accessories - Amazon Canada

ChgImposs 3.2Ft/98CM Flexible Shaft Drill Bit Extension, Multifunctional Flex Shaft Inner Tube Core with 8mm Chuck for Table Grinder/Electric Drill in Drill Accessories.
www.amazon.ca
 
Whitenuckler said:

ChgImposs 3.2Ft/98CM Flexible Shaft Drill Bit Extension, Multifunctional Flex Shaft Inner Tube Core with 8mm Chuck for Table Grinder/Electric Drill, Drill Accessories - Amazon Canada

ChgImposs 3.2Ft/98CM Flexible Shaft Drill Bit Extension, Multifunctional Flex Shaft Inner Tube Core with 8mm Chuck for Table Grinder/Electric Drill in Drill Accessories.
www.amazon.ca
Click to expand...
Thanks, it says currently unavailable. I ordered another one last night that is similar length but much sturdier.

Greenlee 921-36 3/16" x 36" Quick Change D'VersiBIT Flexible Drill Extension for Tight Areas, 3/16" x 36" Extension Drill Bit for 1/4" Quick Change Accessories - Tap And Die Sets - Amazon.com

Greenlee 921-36 3/16" x 36" Quick Change D'VersiBIT Flexible Drill Extension for Tight Areas, 3/16" x 36" Extension Drill Bit for 1/4" Quick Change Accessories - Tap And Die Sets - Amazon.com
www.amazon.com
 
Things I ordered:


12Pcs Stainless Steel Bore Brush Set with 1/4" Hex Shank 8-30mm Wire Brush for Power Drill for Rust and Tube Cleaning: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

12Pcs Stainless Steel Bore Brush Set with 1/4" Hex Shank 8-30mm Wire Brush for Power Drill for Rust and Tube Cleaning: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific
www.amazon.com



Amazon.com: 104 Pcs 40 cm Stainless Steel Spring Music Wire, 12 Different Straight Full Hard Spring Steel Wire, 0.3 mm, 0.4 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.6 mm, 0.8 mm, 1 mm, 1.2 mm, 1.4 mm, 1.6 mm, 1.8 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm : Industrial & Scientific

Buy 104 Pcs 40 cm Stainless Steel Spring Music Wire, 12 Different Straight Full Hard Spring Steel Wire, 0.3 mm, 0.4 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.6 mm, 0.8 mm, 1 mm, 1.2 mm, 1.4 mm, 1.6 mm, 1.8 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm: Wire - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases
www.amazon.com



 
bradleydavidgood777 said:
Thanks, it says currently unavailable. I ordered another one last night that is similar length but much sturdier.

Greenlee 921-36 3/16" x 36" Quick Change D'VersiBIT Flexible Drill Extension for Tight Areas, 3/16" x 36" Extension Drill Bit for 1/4" Quick Change Accessories - Tap And Die Sets - Amazon.com

Greenlee 921-36 3/16" x 36" Quick Change D'VersiBIT Flexible Drill Extension for Tight Areas, 3/16" x 36" Extension Drill Bit for 1/4" Quick Change Accessories - Tap And Die Sets - Amazon.com
www.amazon.com
Click to expand...
I'm not sure you could go around a 90, It seems like they used square tubing so it's probably a butt joint.
Edit - I see above you have lots of things on order :)
 
I am all set now to use these brushes on my exhaust with a rope. They come in different sizes, and you might be able to make a 90 bend (after it's clear).
 

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Whitenuckler said:
I'm not sure you could go around a 90, It seems like they used square tubing so it's probably a butt joint.
Edit - I see above you have lots of things on order :)
Click to expand...
It's not a 90. I think it is (2) 45s. See Harmon diagram above. And that's what it feels like when I put things in there.
Yes, at first I was limited in what I was going to order. Then my mind shifted and I was determined to try everything because I wanted to solve it. And I wanted to help other people solve it and make videos for them.
Then this morning I looked at what it would cost for a new Harmon stove today. $6049.
And I knew I made the correct decision to try everything and spend a couple bucks.
 
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Spectacular success!

The stove has never been like this. And 15 minutes later it was so hot in front of it like never before. It seriously feels like 4 times hotter and better.

Here is the fire up video after the fixes and cleaning the exhaust pipes. And then the next post will be all of the videos that cover everything I did to get to this point.

Thanks for the help!

Persevere, don't give up, do it right, do it thoroughly, and Do It Yourself!

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https://youtube.com/shorts/DEYvC6SsX70?si=2W3Ffdpf7z5JC55c

https://youtube.com/shorts/36SYITbH3TA?si=sOgSSN65_02O0Vxx

https://youtube.com/shorts/oKSrk2MY9NQ?si=OIH_ihLvEKKcIHCy
https://youtube.com/shorts/manq6cAGqWo?si=MNb4NGNZoSf0-CTn

https://youtube.com/shorts/uB7-lWdOei4?si=8fXmWPpAL3EaIAG0

https://youtube.com/shorts/o9voLgJ9-nY?si=v__Dcz1V76oLHIjW

https://youtube.com/shorts/Hk915ZuYERU?si=RyFw-0SADmcAJHPT

https://youtube.com/shorts/RLLU6rzjWiU?si=_14l2eQwLldoBNog

https://youtube.com/shorts/sPk4Aqkvi98?si=EqY_Bt697CKU0t6B

https://youtube.com/shorts/F7cIenr98w4?si=QM2dDCDID8sjsQ8a

https://youtube.com/shorts/LfQe-2F5I9w?si=8KZ8gxwO6EMduYuS

https://youtube.com/shorts/9tXG8HyRA48?si=q3b0x4lvQlnFAOux

https://youtube.com/shorts/lget7w6875Y?si=use4F3S1LleF2Jwi

https://youtube.com/shorts/IuI2rzEliOI?si=ASEWahWlarLhXMY1

https://youtube.com/shorts/TPjpZ33ZjNA?si=UXgpYNlvJcq5vl4U
 
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