New to forum - rebuilding H-II

[BrianF]

Hi everyone!
I'm in the process of rebuilding a Hearthstone II I inherited as part of my home purchase. In researching the rebuild, I found an old thread on this forum (2007-2008) with a lot of good information. I thought I'd pick some brains on here and get the stove ready for this heating season.
First, this is (or was) a really nice stove. It's got the brown enameled castings with dark grey soapstone (I don't know what qualifies a stove as being a "Brownstone" version of the H-II???). I downloaded a manual so I have a parts breakdown. I've learned a few of the parts are no longer available, but I think they're things I don't need to replace.
Now to the details of its condition and what I (think I) need to do. It looks as if this stove was over-fired. There are a few soapstone panels which are cracked pretty severely. Fortunately, the previous owner must have recognized this and purchased new soapstone, so I have that. This stove has two panels of glass on the front door, the outer one of which is broken (impact, not heat). The side door latch is broken and the door, itself, is stuck really hard to the stove body. The enameling on the door is spider-webbed toward the latch. It looks as though someone tried (too hard) to tighten the door with an inappropriately adjusted latch and ended up over-tightening it. The back plate has a crack in it, but the rest of the metal inside (including the secondary air pipe) is not distorted more than would be expected in a 30+ year-old wood stove. The only piece really screaming to be replaced is the top, front door steel.
In addition to the soapstone I already have, I've ordered a new latch for the side door, a gasket kit and some furnace cement. I spoke with Gary, at Hearthstone, late last year and learned that I didn't need to worry too much about the outer glass. I have three male children between the ages of 17 and 22 so I had help moving the stove out of the dining room. It will not be going back there. In fact, I'm thinking of reassembling it where it will eventually reside as a part of this rebuild.
Everything seems to work (except, of course, the side door). I've read about disassembly, and I'm mechanically inclined, so I'm not worried about reassembly. I guess I'm looking for guidance/advice/tips and some specs so I can fabricate that top front door steel.
Anyone?

 

[pen]

The top door seal should just be some gasket material that is glued into place with with high temp gasket cement. The key is getting the appropriate size. It sounds like you bought that from hearthstone, so you should be in good shape there.

Other than that, with specifics it's best to post a pic or two of what your trouble spots are and then it's easier for folks to be able to help.

In terms of enamel being spider webbed, it is how it will be,,,,, no fixing that.

It sounds like you are off to an ambitious and good start, and I hope you have well seasoned wood on hand.

Have you started to disassemble the stove yet?

It sounds like you are moving the stove to a new location.?. Do you have the hearth built appropriately for the stove? Plan for chimney?

Good luck.

pen

 

[BrianF]

The top door seal should just be some gasket material that is glued into place with with high temp gasket cement. The key is getting the appropriate size. It sounds like you bought that from hearthstone, so you should be in good shape there.

Other than that, with specifics it's best to post a pic or two of what your trouble spots are and then it's easier for folks to be able to help.

In terms of enamel being spider webbed, it is how it will be,,,,, no fixing that.

It sounds like you are off to an ambitious and good start, and I hope you have well seasoned wood on hand.

Have you started to disassemble the stove yet?

It sounds like you are moving the stove to a new location.?. Do you have the hearth built appropriately for the stove? Plan for chimney?

Good luck.

pen

Thanks, pen.
The item I need to (re)fabricate is a piece of steel for the inside of the firebox, which is used to hold the screws which secure the front door frame and the damper bracket. This stove was obviously over-fired, at some point. The steel bar (it's approximately 14" long, I think, and an inch wide) was burned through in the middle, so I've got two pieces that taper toward what was the middle. I have several soapstone panels which were severely cracked (some are full-thickness cracks), the curved baffle is really misshapen and the back heat plate (cast iron) is split and warped. The right side plate is slightly bent, but I can compensate for that with some washers when I re-mount it.
The side door has another issue (beside the damaged enamel): The latch was frozen in place. I understand, now, why the outer part of the latch was broken off. In order to get the door off I had to un-latch it from inside the firebox. The portion of the latch which passes through the door is rusted(?) to the door. I now have to get that out before I can replace the door latch. I've soaked it with WD-40 (I used to have some really good penetrating oil, but I couldn't find it). I tried using a drift to get it out, but to no avail. I'm probably going to have to drill it out… not looking forward to that!
To answer your question: as of the time you asked, I had only partially disassembled. As of yesterday, it is completely disassembled. Also, the stove is going to a new location where there was a stove, previously. A lot of up-grading has to occur, though, as the stove it's replacing was a gas stove. Fortunately, the thing I don't have to do is to penetrate the wall for the chimney. The hearth is interesting. I can't be sure of what's under it as it's covered with ceramic tile. I think I'm going to be safe and not sorry… I'm going to add some depth and a heat barrier.
I am looking forward to using the stove. I have a couple of cords of nicely seasoned red alder and another half cord of Douglas fir. There may be a bit of maple mixed in, too. Plenty of western red cedar for kindling!
For now, my challenges are mostly money and time!
Brian

 

[jn712]

Hi Brian,
I just started restoration on a Hearthstone II. It's a has some rust from being stored in a damp garage for a few years. I don't have much experience with wood stoves but I think I can get her in good working order. I've gotten all the internal pieces out and I'm wire brushing everything to remove the rust. Do you know if the pins that hold the doors are removable? They broke off when I opened the doors, looks like I can knock them out with a drift pin but I'm not sure. Also it looks like my damper is missing/incomplete. Any information from your rebuild would be appreciated. Thanks, John

 

[BrianF]

John,
Funny you should mention those pins. Yes. They should come completely out. Thanks to the "help" of a fastidious house cleaner and a couple of teenage boys, I've come up two short! I suspect they can be locally sourced, but if you come up with a reliable source for them, I'd be interested.
Your stove appears to be in pretty good shape. I have several stone panels in need of replacement, as well as some of the cast iron on mine.
Brian

 

[jn712]

Brian,
Thanks for the response. Since all four door pins are broken I plan to file them down flush to the hinge piece then hammer them out with a drift pin. Since everything is cast iron and cracks easy I'll have to be careful not break the hinge piece off of the door itself. I'll keep you updated on my progress. By the way, you're lucky to have those boys helping you this stove is a pain to move. John

 

[Wood Pirate]

where did you guys buy your parts from? I am thinking about starting the same project.