New to me Fisher woodstove

[tomseal6]

I just bought a fisher to replace my falling apart Shenandoah R65.

I'm not familiar yet with Fisher but was told it would be very warm. My old 1978 Shenandoah doesnt hold the heat long enough on those -10 degree nights here in the U.P.

I think my Fisher is the Grandpa Bear model but not sure on the year. I'm excited about this winter now

 

[Todd67]

Congrats on your "new" Fisher stove! Welcome to the forum, and the Fisher Stove family

 

[tomseal6]

Thank you Todd. I hope it heats better than my old stove. Does anybody know the rear fire brick sizes on this Fisher?

 

[Todd67]

I don't remember the firebrick dimensions off the top of my head. I bought mine at the local Tractor Supply. I know it's posted many times in these Fisher threads.

 

[Todd67]

4.5" x 9" x 1.25"

That's the firebrick dimensions that I use.

 

[tomseal6]

Same for a grandpa bear?

 

[Todd67]

Same for a grandpa bear?

Yes, same for all Fisher stoves.

 

[Todd67]

Also note that it is very difficult to remove broken individual bricks because ash settles between the bricks and really locks them in place. I've always removed ALL bricks and replaced them with new bricks when I refinish a stove. Some old bricks are still usable, but I save those for other projects.

 

[tomseal6]

Todd,

You have been a huge help. I just bought 10 of these. I'll have a few extra on hand.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...FjAKegQIARAB&usg=AOvVaw0-1SVyYneZOE4T-XQchgeb

 

[Todd67]

Todd,

You have been a huge help. I just bought 10 of these. I'll have a few extra on hand.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...FjAKegQIARAB&usg=AOvVaw0-1SVyYneZOE4T-XQchgeb

Fantastic! We like to see "before & after" pics of Fisher Stoves

 

[tomseal6]

Well here is a before of the inside. I'll also need to replace gasket for doors

 

[Todd67]

Actually, the only Fisher Stoves that were made with door gaskets are the stoves with glass doors. None of the solid cast iron door stoves had gaskets on them. Previous owners just assumed the stoves should have gaskets on them, so they added gaskets.

My Mama Bear that I heat my house with had a gasket around the door when I bought the stove. I used a wire wheel on my drill to remove the gasket cement and rust before I painted the stove.

 

[tomseal6]

So is it ok if I replace the old flat gasket on it?

 

[bholler]

I have worked on penty that had pretty loose doors that needed gasket to seal properly.

 

[Todd67]

Yes, like bholler said, some stoves need a thin flat gasket to seal properly if the doors are too loose to seal without a gasket.

I would see how well it seals without a gasket before I put a gasket on it. My Mama Bear had a 1/2" round gasket on it and it seals just fine without a gasket. Its been my only heat source for 7 years. I live in northern NY in an old 2-story house that is poorly insulated.

 

[Don H]

Fire bricks are know as "Splits" because they are half the thickness of a standard fire brick.
I buy mine at the local building supply house (not Big Box) for about $1.25 a piece.
Any place that sells large quantity of brick and block would have them.

 

[tomseal6]

I live pretty far from a place that sells the bricks so I was happy to order them online.

Looks like a flat gasket is needed.

I read that some that installed a gasket said that the intake knobs gave the stove a whole new meaning of air tight.

 

[Don H]

I'd try it without a gasket first. No big deal to let the fire go our and install if needed.
You can check the gap with a dollar bill. Close the door with a dollar bill across the channel area of the door in several places. If the bill pulls out easily it needs a gasket.

 

[tomseal6]

Dollar bill unfolded, right?

 

[Don H]

Yep

 

[tomseal6]

I was able to get all the broken bricks out. It sure wasnt fun. I used a soft blow to crack them and a long thick screw driver to wedge them out. Thank goodness the seller was nice enough to throw in a 8 gallon shop vac to suck out all the ashes.

The door handle was a little loose to my liking so I installed a C clip to tighten up the door handle. Much better.

There was a gasket installed but is completely worn out. I was able to scrape most of it off already. I'm guessing only the right side door handle latches? (rotates)

I'm done for the day. Any more help or comments are greatly appreciated.

 

[Todd67]

You got the complete package there; the bear paws feet, the manual, the brochure, that's a rare thing to get all of that with a Fisher stove.

 

[tomseal6]

All for $490 +$40 for gas to haul it on my trailer and + $12 for mackinac bridge toll. He gave me 3 different size chimney brushes, brush rods, chimney cap, 8 gallon shop vacuum, the original brochure with owner's manual, 4 nickel bear claws, and some extra fire bricks.

 

[tomseal6]

Can I buy a new set of door pins at Ace Hardware?

Had to remove doors to get into house and this bottom pin broke and it will not move. Must be drilled out. Starting to come together. Also having my old house I bought a few years ago remodeled. I will be putting a Timberline insert into my kitchen fireplace this winter. House and main structure was built in 1890 but has had the necessary upgrades since.

 

[tomseal6]

Big old house with 2 chimneys