Shepherds Hut stove build 2

 Most common tool used: the angle grinder.  I found that the casting was generous and I have had to grind all the pieces that fit together.  Though I think I have ground the cowl down a little to far.  I am hoping that fire cement will prevent this leaking too much smoke.

I think it should have been slightly proud of the rest of the casting, but I am not sure.  I had to do a lot of work on this piece to make it fit properly.  The corners proved difficult and in the end I used a Dremal with a grinding stone to slowly grind out the corners.

If I had the money I would have been tempted to get hold of a milling machine.

The other thing with cast is it is so hard, and difficult to weld so no short cuts there!  However I did use a high temperature epoxy (JB Weld) in a few places just to hold the thing together.

The damper and the stove top, were ground into the right shape and added.  Its finally looking like a stove.  The instructions said to drill out two holes on the underside of the top and tap in two screws.  I failed in this. The holes were too shallow to hold the tap properly.  The next time I am down in Bridport Foundry I will have a look to see how the have fastened them on.

I didn't want to drill straight through as that would spoil the look of the top of the stove.  

The damper was easy, and only needed a bit of filing around the sides.

Next was the ash draw and air vent.  Nice and straight forward.  I bent a piece of steel sheet to fit, pop riveting it together and using pop rivets to hold it onto the cast front plate.  The small silver knob I drilled and tapped ready for a M6 screw.  I really like the way the writing on the cast show through.  I Cant help wondering what the No1 Stove looked like as this one is pretty small.  Ideal for a shepherds hut.  When we have stayed in shepherds huts they have been so well insulated that they invariably got too hot, I am hoping this mini stove will provide enough heat without turning the hut into a sauna within a few minutes.

Shepherds Hut stove build 1

Stove Build. 

My retirement project is building a shepherds hut, but before I get started on the main event. I am putting together a small stove from Bridport Foundry. They cast the main parts and you are left to do the drilling and fitting together of the various bits.  Airfix for adults really.  These are the parts:

The first job is to drill holes in the side pieces of the main stove.  I needed to buy Cobalt drill for this as my normal metal drills would not touch cast, and I burnt out two trying.  Live and learn.

 
These need to line up with the floor plate.  Easier said than done.  The plate that make up the four sides of the fire need quite a bit of grinding and thinning of metal to fit properly. but after a lot of work the four side fitted flush at the top.

This is important to get right or the tope of the stove will not seal properly.

Chimney Cowl.

The next bit I worked on was the chimney Cowl, which needed a rebate ground into it so it would slide into the back of the stove.

 

    You can see the amount I have ground off on the flat edge at the bottom of the picture. I have struggled to find something that will grind into the corners of the stove.  My 5 inch angle grinder is a bit unwieldly, so I tried a Dremel but only burnt through milling bits.  I have now bought a multi tool and hopefully that will enable me to get into the corners. 

 Allotment. Getting ready for Winter

Covering

The runner beans ran away with me this year, getting to the top of eight foot poles and producing so much.  But today (29th October) it was time for them to come down.  I cut them off the poles and mixed them into rotting wood chip and have covered with black plastic for the winter.  Later on if I have time I may spread some farm manure.  This should all rot down nicely for spring planting.  You can also see in the picture the Chard is still doing well and will provide winter greens for us.

Next year I shall grow less, as although I like runner beans, there comes a point when I can't face yet another meal with them in.  I also learnt the hard way this year that you have to pick them young or they go stringy very quickly.  I will also try a stringless variety rather than a heritage variety next year.