Replacement burn tubes?

[prajna101]

I have a Lopi Answer. Its a bit older and has one front burn tube. That tube has a crack in it and should be replaced. The dealer has sets of three he will sell me but they seem to look a tad different than I have and I don't need three, just one. I emailed travis industries but have not heard back.

Two questions. Where can I buy a replacement tube? OR is it for sure the same as the new tubes? I think the year on my stove is 1987. Every thing else seems to be in great order.

Is there an online place to order such items? I don't really like my local dealer.

Is there another dealer here that would like my business? I would be happy to start an affair with you and would willing to pay shipping to boot!

Todd

 

[Jotulf3cb]

CALL THEM - http://www.stovepartsplus.com/

 

[prajna101]

I dont think morter is going to do it. The crack appeared, then within one day had opened up to a pretty big hole. The tube is pretty corroded.

I left a message for the stovepartsplus folks. Hopefully they are able to help. It does not look like they carry Lopi parts though. Thanks,


t

 

[BrotherBart]

Frankly I would take the old one to a local metal shop and see if they could chuck a same size 304L stainless tube in a vise and drill the same number of holes at the same angle. I don't know what is on the ends of the tube for fastening to the manifolds though.

 

[begreen]

I have no idea whether these folks have their act together, but they came up in a google search and claim to specialize in parts for older Lopis:
(broken link removed)
[email protected] or call (207) 856-7000

 

[drdoct]

The thing I hate the worst about Travis ind. is that they don't allow internet sales so you're just stuck with your local dealer. If it were me, I'd just have the welding shop make a patch and weld it on for me or if it was too bad make one myself. It's not really rocket science and the Lopi tube system leaves much to be desired. I'm getting ready to tap mine to keep them in place. I bet you can find the right size pipe and just drill your own holes and have it turn out about as good.

 

[prajna101]

I have been thinking about making my own all day now since someone suggested it. Seems like I should be able to drill a tube close enough. Do I really need 304 stainless? Or will any plumbing tube that I get at home depot work? I figure if it does not last very long, who cares? If I can make them easily enough for a couple of dollars a piece.

t

 

[EddyKilowatt]

Boatyards deal with stainless tube for railings and such, I have had parts made for various tinkering projects by the guys that do stainless work on boats.

I think steel pipe would probably work fine for a burn tube, especially if you're not really flogging the stove. Think you'd want to avoid galvanized pipe due to zinc fume concerns, but the 'black iron' pipe is supposedly also steel these days. Talk to a plumber or good hardware store. Put a piece of pipe in the firebox and run a few fires *before* you trust it to carry air to your fire.

I have an Avalon from the same era, also with a single (non-stainless) secondary air tube. That new rule from Travis is just a year or two old... would definitely keep me from buying another Travis product, even though I like the one I have.

 

[savageactor7]

Bring the tube to your auto mechanic and he'll MIG-weld it for you.

 

[drdoct]

Just use black pipe. That's what they used in the first place. It'll be good for 10-15 years or so. Or should be anyway.

 

[WES999]

Online metals has a good selection of stainless tube.
http://www.onlinemetals.com/index.cfm

 

[polaris]

Just use black pipe. That's what they used in the first place. It'll be good for 10-15 years or so. Or should be anyway.

I concur. I think black iron gas pipe would do the trick. All you would need would be a hand held drill, the right size metal bit and your almost home.
Joe

 

[mike1234]

:red: opps

 

[polaris]

I think he is referring to the company Travis industries not a place(Travis IND.) I could be wrong through.
Joe

 

[prajna101]

I got a response from the travis industries folks. They just said to go to the local dealer and gave me the part number to order. I replied that I did not like my local dealer. I would love to pay him for the part. He said that they do not sell direct.

What kind of business model has a company (travis) talking directly to a customer with dollars in his hand (me) and refuses to just trade dollars for product? It should not be that difficult to give them my business. What would it take for me to just send him a check, when he gets the check he can put the part in the mail to me. Or have they never heard of paypal? Ugh. What if I did not live in a town with a local dealer? Does Travis Industries not serve such people?

I contacted all the companies that were suggested on this forum. So far, none have responded to my queries.

I think a couple of dollars and a few minutes drilling is going to fix my problem. Too bad for the local dealer, they lost money and continue to disappoint a customer. Too bad for travis industries. They lost a simple sale and probably a future one when I replace my stove. Compound that with me posting it here. But I am a fan of the free market and it has its way of handling this kind of situation.

Heck, I know there are dealers on this forum. I wish one of them just said, "give me your address and credit card number, I will mail the part to you". I guess the woodstove market must be so hot (pun intended) that they don't need simple small dollar sales and support.

Just to be fair. I love my Lopi.

Todd

 

[Hurricane]

The woodstove market is on fire ( pun intended too ! ) right now. Most dealers have a backlog of installs and orders. This is not the time to get a dealers attention about a $10 part for a stove you did not buy from him. Not saying this is right.
I think if you are handy make your own and it will be more satisfying. That is what I would do.

 

[ROBERT F]

If your burn tube has those chinsy roll pins on both holes of the slip joint, tap them to make life more enjoyable in the future.

 

[drdoct]

I ran into the same thing with them. Local dealers were awful and doing them a disservice. I love my stove, but this idiotic way of protecting dealers no matter what their performance is nuts. Especially if it's so bad as people in this post and others say it is in the stove business right now. If the dealer is too busy to deal with little things like servicing customers then Travis would be doing them a favor by allowing internet sales on parts.

 

[madrone]

make your own. don't patch the old one, a waste of time. Black pipe, and 30 minutes work. Make a few at the same time.

 

[prajna101]

I made a new one last night. Cost $4 and about 10 min time. Cut 3/4 inch tube to 17 inches with saws all. Drilled holes at the same spacing as the old one. Slide it into place and re light fire. I didnt even let the stove cool down. I doubt anyone could tell its not stock.

I think I may have made the holes a touch too big. It got me thinking. This was so easy I am going to do some experimenting. I think tonight I will make another one and try slightly undersized holes. Perhaps I will then try more or less holes. It could be fun.

Oh, if anyone out there needs a replacement tube and gets quoted $76 to replace it, just give me a call, I will be happy to make you a "custom" one and put it in the mail to you for a few bucks. If travis does not want to make it easy to take your money, I will be happy to provide the service they don't.

Thanks for all your ideas, especially the ones about making my own part.

Todd

 

[begreen]

There ya go, congratulations!