Nozzle overlay

[mikefrommaine]

Recent threads got me thinking about the one piece on a boiler that might be hard to source if the dealer, manufacturer or importer was no longer around -- the nozzle. Some designs might be easy to copy others are more complicated.

First thing I did was order a couple spares as cheap insurance.




Here is what my nozzle looked like after one full year. You can see the color difference where I let the ashes build up. But it's starting to wear a bit. I think a good bit of the erosion happened when I put a metal grate over the opening. It kind of melted and wedged itself in the nozzle.




I stopped at the brick yard and for 9 bucks picked up 6 fire brick splits (the thin bricks)

I also got the name of a local company that may be able to cast and pour nozzles if ever needed. I might have them cast me a slab so I can make an overlay out of one piece if this works. Or I could try casting my own slab.

I cut themto fit as needed and added sand to fill the gaps. I used a tile saw but any diamond blade in a grinder or circular saw would work.




I also am going to try a grate again




Trying a new upload site imugr, let's see if the album works:
<iframe class="imgur-album" width="100%" height="550" frameborder="0" src="http://imgur.com/a/lFAJh/embed"></iframe>

 

[muncybob]

Interesting project. I agree with being able to be self sufficient on the nozzle. Keep us posted on how things work out!

 

[mikefrommaine]

It seems like the wood gun with its center bricks would be one of the easiest to recreate. But the lower woodgun refractory looks to be more complicated. I would think it would last quite a while if you kept up with center bricks though.

 

[Fred61]

I might have had a little less wear on my nozzle after one season but not much less. I don't burn 24/7 either. < 3 cord/yr. Don't underestimate the toughness of that firebrick. Right now it's looking like I'm getting less wear on it than the original nozzle material. You may not want to bother casting your own.

At least prices don't vary much from one location to another. I just stopped at the brickyard yesterday and picked up six also. Nine bucks & change!

 

[mikefrommaine]

My nozzle has had about 10 cords go through it. If the fire bricks stay put I'll leave it as is. Otherwise I'll look into a one piece slab.

 

[avc8130]

It seems like the wood gun with its center bricks would be one of the easiest to recreate. But the lower woodgun refractory looks to be more complicated. I would think it would last quite a while if you kept up with center bricks though.

I really like this nozzle overlay. Great work.

I agree. I think the Wood Gun nozzles could be made very easily from standard fire brick and a masonry drill.

Refractories could be fun, but where there is a will...

ac

 

[711mhw]

I really like this nozzle overlay. Great work.

I agree. I think the Wood Gun nozzles could be made very easily from standard fire brick and a masonry drill.

Refractories could be fun, but where there is a will...

ac

You just gave me a thought! Made me wonder if a fb could take the drilling (so that you could creat a slot) That made me think about a friend that has a big granite shop, they cut the fancy shapes with a water jet! Cutting a slot in a regular fire brick would be easy.
Mike, nothing wrong with that! esp for a couple of bucks!

 

[maple1]

What is that you have for a grate?

 

[mikefrommaine]

What is that you have for a grate?

It's an old cast iron grill grate. Cut in half.

 

[avc8130]

You just gave me a thought! Made me wonder if a fb could take the drilling (so that you could creat a slot) That made me think about a friend that has a big granite shop, they cut the fancy shapes with a water jet! Cutting a slot in a regular fire brick would be easy.
Mike, nothing wrong with that! esp for a couple of bucks!

Water jet would work no problem.

ac

 

[jebatty]

Good idea. 2007-2008 was the first year with my Tarm, and I now in my 6th burn season. Although there is nozzle wear which looks a lot like your photo, all the refractory material still appears to be in good condition. I burn 4-5 cords of pine/aspen per year.

 

[DaveBP]

If you use a water jet, might the brick absorb water? It would need to be dried before using it in a hot fire, I think.

 

[Fred61]

You just gave me a thought! Made me wonder if a fb could take the drilling (so that you could creat a slot) That made me think about a friend that has a big granite shop, they cut the fancy shapes with a water jet! Cutting a slot in a regular fire brick would be easy.
Mike, nothing wrong with that! esp for a couple of bucks!

I was thinking diamond core drill. I remember seeing some in the tile section at Home Depot. Water jet may work. Brick structure is different than stone. As long as you have roughly the same area of opening in the center brick, I don't think the Wood Gun would care the openings were round or oval.

 

[maple1]

It's an old cast iron grill grate. Cut in half.

My fireplace grate is almost toast. I think I can cut whats left of it in half & rearrange to get some more life out of it, but I'm trying to come up with something longer lasting & even cheaper. There's some heat in these holes!

 

[mikefrommaine]

I picked up enough to make four grates from the scrap pile at the landfill.Free.

 

[Fred61]

Mike,
Looks like one of your gremlins left his broom behind in one of your photos above.

 

[mikefrommaine]

I don't trust gremlins. Not reliable enough.

I use smurfs