New Participant; First Post/Soot buildup on chimney cap.

Asbestos know no age. If you do have to mess with it just do not inhale any dust. As long as you keep it in tact, you will be okay. If you must disturb it make sure to wet it down. The secret is to not let it get air born. Wear a dust mask and if possible get a set of disposable coveralls to wear.
Tom

HELLO ALL . I JUST TACKLED A COUPLE OF THE ISSUES YOU MENTIONED BECAUSE MY K-8 WAS USED, STILL INSTALLED AND FULL OF WATER UP TO THE RADIATORS.( THE TANKLESS WATERHEATER LEAKED) YOUR FIRST ISSUE IS WITH THE ASBESTOS. THIS IS EASY, YOU KNEED A THROW AWAY DUST MASK,RUBBER GLOVES, HEAVY DUTY GARBAGE BAGS,AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, A GARDEN SPRAYER OR SPRAY BOTTLE. TRY TO STAY AWAY FROM GARDENHOSES, THEY MAKE A MESS.THE SECRET TO REMOVING OLD ASBESTOS IS KEEPING IT WET ENOUGH TO KEEP THE DUST DOWN WITH OUT SOAKING IT.BEING A PLUMBERS SON HAS ADVANTAGES. THE BOILER CAN BE REWRAPED WITH HI TEMP FIBERGLASS, PROVIDING THE JACKET IS IN TACT.AS FAR AS PIPING AND CONTROLS, THIS IS NOT SO HARD EITHER.PIPE THE SUPPLY OF THE COAL BOILER TO THE RETURN OF THE GAS BOILER AND THE SUPPLY OF THE GAS BOILER TO THE RETURN OF COAL BOILER. THE COAL BOILER WILL KEEP THE GAS BOILER WARM AND THE AQUASTAT SATISFIED. IF THE GAS COMES ON WHEN THE CIRCULATING PUMPS COME ON, JUST INSTALL A DELAY TIMER IN LINE WITH THE GAS VALVE. THEY ARE AVAILABLE AT GRAINGERS, P#4E233,OR ANY AC,REFRIGERATION SUPPLY HOUSE, THE TIMER DELAYS THE GAS VALVE LONG ENOUGH FOR THE HEAT TO GET THROUGH THE HOUSE AND BOTH BOILERS. CONTACT ME WITH QUESTIONS. I KNOW THIS WORKS AS THIS IS THE WAY MY SYSTEM IS SET UP. PITTSTON VAL

Greg, Tom, and TGMC

Thank you for the replies, Gentlemen; you guys are great!. I saw no indications of a stoker system around this old boiler, and there was just a very small, seemed to be one piece, circular grate in the bottom. I can't recall if, or how, it was agitated. (See photos). I work for a mechanical contractor, and have had conversations with several of our pipefitters about my boiler and coal stove, so they would help me hook it up. As a matter of fact, they described to me the same system for operation as TGMC mentioned; you've just been validated! I also come in contact with environmental contractors who do abatement for us and they have schooled me on removing the asbestos from my pipes during a remodeling job I did on my home; it went very well and my procedure was just as TGMC and rouxzy described. I could not find much info on the manufacturer of this old boiler searching the internet, but wouldn't anticipate installation problems as much as possible needed parts. I mentioned in the "introduction page" that I am securing free bituminous from a terminal where lake freighters bring it into the docks for rail transport, and that was a connection through my job as our fitters have worked there. The coal that I got is messy and very high maintenance. Full of dust, tiny particles, and rocks; the sifting is driving me crazy! It is Ohio coal, burns pretty nice with little bridging, but a lot of work. My employer also does jobs at a plant where coal is burned, and I am in the process of making friends there (wink-wink) as their coal looks better. I am wondering if my current coal source is what they call "gob"? I will take a close-up picture of it and post it. Gosh, sorry about rambling and multiple subjects. I will look forward to any replies. I am most grateful for all the comments and insight that you all offer. Thanks, Dan.

DAN, CAN YOU TAKE MORE PICTURES OF THE HOPPER FROM THE FRONT AND BOTTOM. THAT LOOKS LIKE A BOTTOM FEED STOKER. THE WORM,FAN,HOPPER AND GEAR DRIVE MIGHT BE MISSING, WHICH IS THE ONLY WAY TO MAKE IT WORK. YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO FIND PARTS IN A SALVAGE YARD, OR ONLINE, BUT IT'S GOING TO BE TOUGH. PITTSTON VAL

Dan McCartney wrote: Have you ever heard of anyone putting an 80 year old boiler back into service as a coal burner? It seems to be in very good shape. Do you think I should take it if I can get it?

Does it look like this one? Looks like a hand fired unit to me.
http://www.oldhouseweb.com/newBB/topic-11575.shtml
Take it if you can get it cheap and can move it easily, be sure you have everything needed. Grates, doors, stoker etc. otherwise you don't need the grief.
Cast iron is tough stuff, if it wasn't abused it could be a real gem. These things were made very well back then and should easily outlive a few owners. Be careful it's heavy!

Guys,

I snuck these photos about 2 years ago when I was in their basement; I can only send the ones I have. It sure looks similar to the one in that beautiful bungalow. You have spiked my interest; I think I will try contacting these folks again regarding its status.

Another angle.

That is a very interesting design for the firepot and firebrick. I'm 99% sure this is a hand load only stove. I don't see any way there could be a motorized mechanism mounted to the firebox.

It looks like it would burn large lumps [stove size] coal . I wonder if there is a grate at the bottom of the tapered firepot, and what mechanism there is to shake down the ash... Hmm.

I'm looking forward to seeing more photos of this boiler. Dan , can you get several from the ash pan area looking up at the bottom of the firepot, and in the firepot looking both up and down.

I love seeing these old designs and what human ingenuity has come up with over the years.

Greg L

Greg, I will try contacting them again and see if I can get to the stove for some more pics and maybe learn if they have any plans of replacing it. I would assume that as a natural gas burning unit it is rather expensive to opperate as the efficiency couldn't compare with current gas boilers (?) Dan.

DAN, GREG AND TOM HAVE MADE SOME GOOD POINTS. THIS BOILER LOOKS ALMOST EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE ONE IN THE BUNGALO. PROBLEM IS THE ONE IN THE BUNGALO HAS WHAT LOOKS TO BE SOME KIND OF ELECTRIC MOTOR ATTACHED TO THE FRONT OF IT, MAYBE A FAN OR STOKER DRIVE. SINCE THE ONE IN THE BUNGALO IS A 1904 CIRC. YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO FIND SOMETHING NEWER ON THE INTERNET OR LOCAL CLASSIFIEDS. OUT HERE WE HAVE A WEEKLY RAG CALLED " THE PAPER SHOP". LOTS OF BARGAINS THERE.MAYBE YOU CAN FIND SOMETHING NEWER, WITH ALL IT'S PARTS AND BETTER EFFICENCY. IF YOU LOOK CAREFULLY AT THE PIX OF THE BUNGALO, THIS MIGHT BE A CONVERSION UNIT FOR GAS. I THINK I MIGHT SHY AWAY FROM THIS BOILER.YOU MIGHT GET THIS CHEEP ENOUGH, BUT WILL IT BE WORTH IT. GOOD HUNTING AND GOOD LUCK. PITTSTON VAL. TELL THE GAS MAN TO KISS MY COAL BURNIN' A** !!!

I know this post is from a long way back, but I just wanted to say something that I didn't notice anyone else had mentioned.

Your hearth does not extend far enough from the front of the stove to meet code and not to be a pain, but you really ought to think about extending it, if for no other reason, to prevent sparks and such from ending up on those nice wood floors.

Well folks, I just got the sad news that the old ARCO boiler, the one that I have photos of below from the end of December, recently left its home of 75 years, . . . in pieces. I can't tell you how bummed I was to hear this. The house changed hands and was bought only to resell, and he upgraded everthing. I did send him a letter expressing my interest and willingness to remove it, but he said he never saw it. I had dreams of pressing it back into service in my house, which is about the very same age as the one it came from. Well, life goes on. There's gotta be another one out there for me. Dan McCartney