Ideas to extend damper handle behind new glass doors?

[Retired Coal Miner]

I'm looking for ideas on how to extend a damper handle on an existing fireplace that will have new glass doors attached in the next few weeks.

New glass doors are on order, Stoll Reface, this is a ZC manufactured FP.

The layout of the doors will make the existing damper handle much less accessible. So I'm thinking of ideas on how or what to do to extend the existing handle.

Best thought is a hollow tube with a pivot-pin/clevis-pic arrangement into the existing handle, so the the new tube can pivot and extend downward and be accessible. Then use a magnet to hide the extension tube behind the new glass door frame when not in use.

Exisitgg handle is 5/16 in. round metal, which I'd have to drill in place to get one hole in to make the attachment.

Picture shows existing arrangement. Green lines are open/close of existing handle. Between the red lines will be a new louver, glass doors will be below the lower red line, and there will be a cabinet-type mesh door behind the new glass doors. Existing screen mesh will go away.

Any thoughts?

 

[bholler]

I'm looking for ideas on how to extend a damper handle on an existing fireplace that will have new glass doors attached in the next few weeks.

New glass doors are on order, Stoll Reface, this is a ZC manufactured FP.

The layout of the doors will make the existing damper handle much less accessible. So I'm thinking of ideas on how or what to do to extend the existing handle.

Best thought is a hollow tube with a pivot-pin/clevis-pic arrangement into the existing handle, so the the new tube can pivot and extend downward and be accessible. Then use a magnet to hide the extension tube behind the new glass door frame when not in use.

Exisitgg handle is 5/16 in. round metal, which I'd have to drill in place to get one hole in to make the attachment.

Picture shows existing arrangement. Green lines are open/close of existing handle. Between the red lines will be a new louver, glass doors will be below the lower red line, and there will be a cabinet-type mesh door behind the new glass doors. Existing screen mesh will go away.

Any thoughts?
View attachment 229565

If the doors change the opening they are not approved and should not be used. You also arent allowed to modify the damper.

 

[Retired Coal Miner]

Thanks but you're not being helpful here.

The doors will not change the opening. I'm asking about the damper handle, not the damper itself.

 

[bholler]

Thanks but you're not being helpful here.

The doors will not change the opening. I'm asking about the damper handle, not the damper itself.

So if it isnt changing the opening why does it change acess to the handle?

I am trying to be helpfull by trying to keep you from doing something that is against code and could possibly be dangerous. These airflow in and around these units is very carfully designed to control temps. By modifying the face in any way you are changing that airflow which without exrensive testing we have no idea how it will affect temperatures on the outside of the fireplace structure.

 

[bholler]

Thanks but you're not being helpful here.

The doors will not change the opening. I'm asking about the damper handle, not the damper itself.

I will not bother you about this anymore. I just wanted to be sure that anyone else reading this knew that what you are proposing violates the manufacturers instructions. Which means it is against code and we have no idea what effect changing the face will have.

 

[Rearscreen]

I guess an idea would be a flaired pipe, like a trumpet, so it could find it's way into the 5/16. This pipe is separate and when you want to change the damper you put up there and insert it then change the damper. It's separate like any other fireplace tool. When your guests come over and see it and say what the hell is that, you say it's my trumpet, want me to play it?

 

[ratsrepus]

Id listen to Bholler.

 

[Jan Pijpelink]

It is for a reason the professionals are member of this forum.

 

[Rearscreen]

Yeah, sorry for the bad idea. Never think outside the box. Like the impossibility of a rocket landing in a upright position. Scratch that right off the drawing board.