Old wood stove by Orbon Stove Co.

[NWMO]

Good evening all,

My wife and I are hoping to put a wood stove in the home next year. We were at an auction today and picked up an old stove. It is a Silver Oak 217 manufactured by the Orbon Stove Co. in Belleville IL. It is also stamped Birmingham AL as well. It is very similar to the #2 stove in the link. It has two of the three skirt pieces and some additional ornate pieces on either side of the door. It will take some time to loosen it up and refurbish it. Any info. on this old stove would be appreiciated. I would also gladly entertain any opinions on how to best refurbish and stove paints, etc. that have been used.

(broken link removed)



Chris

 

[NWMO]

Good evening again,

Is there a different forum or even web site that may deal more specifically with restoration? I made a couple of calls today and am considering "soda blasting" for the stove. I've looked it over pretty good with a decent light and don't see any cracks at this point. One broken piece off an edge. Called about plating some of the ornate pieces. Does anyone have a preference or opinion on soda blasting vs. wire wheel brush on drill or what to plate with, chrome, nickel, brass, etc. I believe the base and ornate pieces were chrome originally, but read in an article that nickel doesn't discolor the way chrome does the first time it gets hot. At any rate, here is a photo, any comment appreciated. It's obviously not nearly as safe or efficient as a new stove, but is it reasonable to refurbish an 80- 90 year old stove and have it be fuctional as well?

Thank you

Chris

 

[begreen]

Howdy Chris. Look for posts by ScottF. He recently bought a restored parlor stove. It'll be a lot of work to bring this baby back to form, but if bringing it back to life is a fun adventure for you then have at it and enjoy the process. Here's a link to get you started:
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/21113/

 

[NWMO]

Thanks BeGreen

 

[Beanscoot]

That's a handsome stove. I think wire wheeling will be a huge task, but probably would do a good job. I understand some automotive machine shops use a "shot blast" cleaning system which throws tiny steel balls at castings to clean them up, perhaps investigate this.

The original brightwork would probably have been nickel plated at that early time. Chrome plating is usually done over a nickel layer anyway. Nickel tends to be a very tiny bit yellowish and chrome a bit bluish.

I would happily burn that stove if I had it. Perhaps it's a good candidate for a flue damper in the pipe above it.

 

[NWMO]

Thanks Beanscoot,

I spent some time reading ScottF's past post and had read about a flue damper to help hold the heat. I'm really looking forward to getting her cleaned up, should be a fun project. Would there be any harm is setting her up outside with a short stack just to see how she burns. I didn't know if the years of rust and dust would possibly create a problem. Gut instinct tells me I would be better off to clean her up first.

Chris

 

[zionadams]

We've used media blasting on old, very badly rusted, iron and had amazing results. I'd say go for it. If you find a crack it can be dealt with and better to know. That's a cute little stove

 

[Jags]

NWMO - lighting that stove up outside probably won't hurt the old girl, just make sure that any controls are free and working properly. Drop a couple of sections of pipe on it, and give it a whirl.

If there is ANY major problem with the stove, it would be better to find out with the stove OUTSIDE.

Keep in mind that this thing is gonna need big time clearance to combustibles for the install.

Cool stove.

 

[NWMO]

Yes,

I was figuring 36" to typical framed wall, with pine lumber finish (toungue and groove)?

Chris