To buy or not to buy...

[dibdibu]

To buy or not to buy...
well, as i noticed in my recent massage, i checked a twenty years old ‘Dutch West-Federal’ wood stove. in the pictures i saw on the web, it looked fine. today i went to see it and...well…
the inside of the stove is baddly rusted and it looked like it was over heated. there are few tiny holes on the body of the stove, especially on the back and near the conection to the chimney. in fact, the owner of the stove told me that he seals the cracks from the outside every year with some kind of very strong polymer but it looks cracked and broken. there are two major vertical cracks on the sides of the back. the guy told me that the only bad thing about it is that the efficiency of the stove decreased but still it works great. im not sure about how long will the stove function in the future. i attached few pictures of the inside, the back cracks and the area of the conection to the chimney.
ill appreciate your advice.

 

[hookspacken]

I would not consider purchasing that stove if it were myself. Cracks and holes in a stove that was probably casted in Taiwan are probably only going to get worse.

 

[bluefrier]

I vote "not to buy". I would rather buy a new inexpensive stove before I buy a twenty year old pre EPA wood stove with a bunch of holes.
Besides, you will be money ahead on wood savings from the new stove.

 

[fossil]

Pass on that one, gigi. Rick

 

[begreen]

Good that you asked Gigi. Word is that the early Dutchwest Federals were not of the best quality to start with and this one has had it. There is a better stove for you out there. Keep trying.

 

[WOODBUTCHER]

the guy told me that the only bad thing about it is that the efficiency of the stove decreased but still it works great.

Hmmmmm ....holes....giant cracks.......completely decimated baffle/flue area........Holy Moses !

WoodButcher

 

[relax]

I vote send it to scrapp yard fast....... no no faster...ZZZim

 

[smokinj]

let her go!

 

[Jags]

Run, don't walk. This is no deal. That is a POS that has served past its life expectancy.

 

[Hogwildz]

NOT!

 

[dibdibu]

well i guess there is no deal..
thanks for the good advice.

 

[fossil]

Good decision. Keep shopping. Rick

 

[Jags]

well i guess there is no deal..
thanks for the good advice.

There are lots of wood burners out there, don't let this discourage you. A few pointers if I may: look for something a little newer, epa certified if possible. Lots of advantages to them. Look for a stove that doesn't need explanations of how to repair holes. . And by all means, get something with a window (a "real" window). Heck, thats half the fun of building a fire, the ability to watch it.

 

[gangsplatt]

Agreed a window is one of the most important features of a stove! Last winter was my last winter with the old Fisher (no fire view), can't wait to get my new stove roaring so I can kick back and watch the flames.

 

[wellbuilt home]

That stove is junk . I gave my EX large ductch west away to some one in need . And my stove still looked good