Need advice for using old stove

[kenword]

I was recently given a small old wood burning stove. It has no brand or model information, just the word TAIWAN stamped into the top. It's crude cast iron box with a removable top, two removable round plates in the top, and a sliding cover below the door that serves as a draft control. It is very similar to the Voglezang BX26E. I want to use it to heat a workshop occasionally, and need advice on how to use it as efficiently as possible. I am sealing the joints between the parts with stove cement and am considering adding a gasket to the door. My questions are about installing and using the stove pipe damper and the draft control in the stove. How high above the stove should the damper be ? I have a magnetic pipe thermometer that should be 18"-24" above the stove. Should the damper be above or below that ? I'm guessing below. How should I control the draft and heat of the fire in this type of stove ? I have never done that before. I know I want maximum airflow to start a fire, then I want to slow the airflow down to prevent overheating and gain efficiency once the fire is burning well, but all the advice given is very vague at best. One source said to close the damper to about the 2 o'clock position or about halfway. What about the sliding draft ? That cover is not fastened at all, so it can be opened quite a bit. How far should I slide it away from the door and when?
I also have an old Magic Heat I'm considering using. I understand those go above the damper in the pipe and some claim they produce a lot of extra heat, but others say they are notorious for causing creosote and draft problems. Are these worth the trouble ? I could set up a fan to blow air past the stove pipe. That would likely gain less heat, but wouldn't affect the draft.
Any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[begreen]

Skip the Magic Heat. The damper can go right above the flue collar. These stoves are often leaky so watch runaway temps. The castings aren't great, so also watch for cracks developing and seam air leaks.
Give away the Magic Heat to someone. else.

 

[Max W]

I’ve used two of this design, old US built, one in a warming shed and one when we lived in an old carriage house. As bgreen says they can run away. This is aided also by their straight through design. It’s unsettling to see a stove pipe glowing. Play with your sliding tray and pipe damper to see how they control the draft. If there is a space between the bottom of the door and the draft slide when closed you can sick in a thin piece of metal, folded over, for a little more control.