The OAK install begins

[CtPaul]

The weather ins't going to get any better so I figured I should get started. I trimmed the Harman extension and then had a friend tack weld the cap on. Drilled a couple of holes and put some screws in it too. Now I will caulk it and it will be ready for the roof tomorrow Yeah!
Now onto the inside. I cleaned the stove. Scooped out the pellets. Then I took as much off it as possible (i.e. door,hopper lid ,etc) makes it much lighter. Then I put it on handtruck.
Thanks to everyone this forum I felt complelled to remove and clean the distribution blower, exhaust fan and a few others things Sometimes I really hate you guys!!.

Next I'm going to see if I can get the OAK installed on the insert frame and the back of the stove. Then onto making a block off plate....woo hoo great fun. I know I won't get to it all tonight because I have to attend a board meeting tonight. I also can't leave the work area as is....or I might as well sleep at the meeting hall !! Lol.

Because I have been around long enough to know....without pics it didn't happen....

 

[glenc0322]

Good job so far good luck why are you installing the oak now instead of summer time are you getting bad drafts in the house?

 

[briansol]

Nice.
did the part in the top left of
https://www.hearth.com/talk/attachments/img_6373-jpg.88573/
come with your stove?

 

[glenc0322]

Good job so far good luck why are you installing the oak now instead of summer time are you getting bad drafts in the house?

 

[CtPaul]

Glen my house is about 100 yrs old and the wind whips off the lake in the winter...I always have drafts! I also don't know any better, once I get an idea and I think I can do it.

Brian that piece,the small hose and the lower left piece came with the harman inside OAKit I ordered. The larger hose and the aluminum adapter I picked up at store.

I installed the piece on the back of the stove...the rest will have to wait for tomorrow

 

[CtPaul]

Just because it happened

 

[glenc0322]

I have the same stove and had it installed last year had a bad draft coming from my hall and bed rooms. was researching an OAK and was going to install it in the summer but i replaced the windows in my sons room and my daughters room plus added insulation to both walls and never got around to an oak this year i draft is gone so i was lucky. good luck with your install and let us know how it works out. I love this stove and it works great not to cold here.

 

[CtPaul]

Ok looks like things are getting back on track. Yesterday the weather forecast was wrong but I moved forward anyway. I cut away the old caulk (all 2 tubes of it ) and removed the old cap. Then I did the "leaf blower trick" and gave a quick brushing. Marked and drilled the holes to mount the new cap. Then I went to install it and realized I ddin't have enouch "slack " in the liner. What's that saying measure once...do it twice?!?! Anyway. So I was less than happy and running out of time. We had tickets to Disney on ice ...of course. So I screw the cap down (no sealant) and got off the roof. Then I get call from the wife...uumm have you looked at the radar? Doh! I scramble around looking for someething to cover chimney....I got it the pellet pallet bag. Back on the roof and wrap up the chimney then I came back down not in a very good mood!
Got in the car and took my twin 6yr old girls to the show and had a GREAT time .....chimney what chimney!
So picked up a couple things this am and hope to get back on the roof this afternoon ....Stand by!

 

[CtPaul]

Chimney cap in on...finished it while the rain started! Installed the intake hose and cut in the block off plate. Tomorrow I will stuff chimney with Roxul and figure out how to fasten/seal the block off plate.

Here's the pics

 

[tjnamtiw]

Holy crap! You gave it a lobotomy! A block off plate in that fieldstone chimney should be a real joy! Wow, what a project! I'm proud of you for your perseverance.

 

[fmsm]

Beautiful view!

 

[glenc0322]

good job keep us posted

 

[CtPaul]

Thanks tj I decided to do it so I'm trying to do it right. I usually have a "can do" attitude! That helps out my kids will hate that phrase when they get a little older, haha!

Fmsm it is a beautiful spot on a wonderful lake....sometimes I need someone to remind me to stop and take a look! Thanks!

Glen I hope to get the stove back it in later today.

 

[Birdie Golf]

ctpaul what lake is that?

 

[CtPaul]

Hey guys I'm trying to figure out the best way to seal /fasten my block off plate.
My chimney is very irregular (old fieldstone ). I trimmed it as close as possible but there are still some decent gaps.
Ideas?
Drill a couple of holes and tapcon the plate in then stuff roxul in the gaps
A friend told me to use a little spray foam. Even though it won't be exposed to much heat I really don't like that idea.

 

[CtPaul]

Birdie, it is Lake Quassapaug

 

[SmokeyTheBear]

How big are the gaps?

 

[CtPaul]

If you look up at reply#9 image 6404 you can see the largest gaps. Between the " pipes" and back wall of fireplace. 2-3 inches

 

[SmokeyTheBear]

Roxul it really well.

 

[CtPaul]

We think alike! I use to camera to make sure I got the tight areas. It is easier to stick a small camera up there than trying to get my fat head in there to see Even though I try to get it in there...as you can tell by the self pic. Maybe I can start sellin my pellet ash for a spa treatment! It sure made me beautiful!!
Does this pass inspection??!! (Sorry for all the pics but I love it when someone documents a project. So I'm trying to do my part)

 

[briansol]

nice job!

 

[CtPaul]

Block off plate is done!! Glad I'm only doing that once!

Now its time to clean up and put the stove back in the fireplace ...woohoo!
Hey Who took out all these tools

 

[CtPaul]

WE HAVE AN OPERATING OAK!! Now we need cold weather so I can test it out

 

[SmokeyTheBear]

Err, the test is how well is the stove burning.

No real need to wait for the cold. Usually if an OAK isn't doing its primary job the flame will be lazy and the wrong color and size.

I take it you want to see if the drafts are as bad as they were.

 

[CtPaul]

Agreed Smokey. Flame seems to be great. The stove just kicked down and the flame is small but dancing away. So I'm pretty happy. When it's cold you can't miss the drafts in my house. I am working on sealing them up but the weather allowed me to install the OAK So now I'm curious how much it will help for now!