Older P61 with Broken Tile Frame? - Any known fixes?

[Don2222]

Hello

Found this old Harman P61a with a Broken Tile Frame. Does not look right with the metal riveted to the Ash Door that the frame snaps onto. I Was told that the old style tile frame is not available from Harman. If I remove the metal mount then there will be two holes to plug some how. A new ash door will fit on the hinge but will not close because the old style ash pan is too big!

Does anyone know of an inexpensive fix to make this stove look good?
I threw in a new ignitor and distribution blower and everything else seems to work fine.

See pic

 

[Lousyweather]

1. find a dealer who has an "old" tile frame (we don't)
2. replace the ash door with a new inset ash door, which you can get trim and tiles for.

 

[Don2222]

1. find a dealer who has an "old" tile frame (we don't)
2. replace the ash door with a new inset ash door, which you can get trim and tiles for.

Thanks Lousy
The problem with a new ash door is that it also requires a new ash pan that is a tad slimmer so the new door will close. That is the best way to go so I will check prices.
Also going to check out Frame King, they do have custom size metal frames.

Sure gets hot testing out these Harmys with the outside temps above 90 and my garage above 80 before I crank them up!

The above 61a took 12 mins from turning the dial to stove temp for the pellets to light after I installed the new ignitor! I know that is too long but I did not have any exhaust pipe on it. Would no exhaust pipe and being 81 degrees make it take longer?

 

[Lousyweather]

Thanks Lousy
The problem with a new ash door is that it also requires a new ash pan that is a tad slimmer so the new door will close. That is the best way to go so I will check prices.
Also going to check out Frame King, they do have custom size metal frames.

Sure gets hot testing out these Harmys with the outside temps above 90 and my garage above 80 before I crank them up!

The above 61a took 12 mins from turning the dial to stove temp for the pellets to light after I installed the new ignitor! I know that is too long but I did not have any exhaust pipe on it. Would no exhaust pipe and being 81 degrees make it take longer?

PM'ing ya Don, with good noos

 

[smwilliamson]

toss out the tile and go without....just my idea of a cheap fix. Not a big fan of the tile or log set stove bling.

 

[Lousyweather]

toss out the tile and go without....just my idea of a cheap fix. Not a big fan of the tile or log set stove bling.

only thing is, the "old" ash door would have had to have been drilled and riveted to accept the "old" tile frame, so, the holes need plugged at a minimum. The new design is different in that the trim is help in place by compression clips, negating the need to drill and rivet......Don's unit is an "old" unit

 

[Don2222]

only thing is, the "old" ash door would have had to have been drilled and riveted to accept the "old" tile frame, so, the holes need plugged at a minimum. The new design is different in that the trim is help in place by compression clips, negating the need to drill and rivet......Don's unit is an "old" unit

Yes, You are correct LW. If I was only fixing a stove, I may think of drilling out the pop rivets and patching the holes with nuts and bolts. However when you put your shopkeepers hat on and are trying to sell a stove, making it look nice becomes part of the plan Scott. I currently have 3 various P61 models and my cyber store is busting at the seems. How many stoves in your inventory now Scott?

 

[Don2222]

Ok, back to the topic.

Now that I have an older Frame thanks LW, I picked up a 12x6 porcelain tile for approx $1 at Home Depot.

I checked this out and tried my die grinder. Granted it does work.
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/harman-p-series-diy-ash-pan-tile-insert-easy.84682/#post-84682

However the Sears mini circular saw seamed to be easier. It is tricky when getting to the end of the cut, not to have it chip or break.

See pics Below.

How am I doing so far?

 

[Don2222]

Hello

This new chrome spray seems to work well, to take away the older brass look.

 

[Lousyweather]

pretty cool....does it handle heat tho?

 

[Don2222]

pretty cool....does it handle heat tho?

This paint is fairly new on the market but it is not high heat like Stove Bright. It is not available in high heat either.
Since the frame is on the ash pan and surface mount It may work out fine. I will test it for sure.

 

[Don2222]

Hello

I found a tile at Lowes that I liked better than that one above I got at Home Depot.

How does this look for $1.19?

click pic to enlarge and see entire pic.

 

[smoke show]

How does this look for $1.19?

sexy!

 

[Lousyweather]

looks good for 2 bucks!

 

[Don2222]

Hello

Finally found the real FIX ! ! ! Some of the Tile frames new from the factory have the holding crimps stamped off the mark!

I have still been working with Harman P61 Stoves that have a tile frame with the aluminum backing bolted to the ash door. Both of these frames have failed and the tiles have fallen and broken in their previous homes. To update to the new frame the stove would need

1. A new recessed ash door for approx $110

2. A new $125 ash pan that is not as deep to fit behind the recessed door
http://www.stove-parts-unlimited.com/Harman-PC45-P61-P61A-and-P68-Ash-Pan-p/1-10-05800.htm

The actual problem with the old frames are the crimps in the frame holding the frame to the corner clips are not always where they should be!
They should be where the notch in the clip is, so the clip will not slip causing the tiles to crash to the floor and break!

All it takes is a hammer and screw driver to fix!
Note: The side of the Tile Frame next to the ash door latch should slide out horizontally only, to remove or replace the tile.

See photos below!
Red arrow in 1st pic shows crimp almost at the end of the corner clip holding it together by a thread! LOL