Replacing thimble

loxety · By: **loxety** On: Tue Feb 19, 2013 4:08 pm

Whats the best way to get the rest of this old thimble out without busting up the tiles in the chimney? Cold Chisel? I think the thimble was originally 12" and is now about 5" left to break up. Its got some kind of cement around it as well as at the end where it meets the clay tiles.

freetown fred · By: **freetown fred** On: Tue Feb 19, 2013 4:25 pm

Do it in stages--try for only the concrete first & then the thimble--If alls you've got is a cold chisel---have at it--go slow & your tile should be fine. Nice old boards on the original house.

loxety · By: **loxety** On: Tue Feb 19, 2013 4:34 pm

House was built in 1900, 5" ship lap, plaster and lathe. It's a fix-r-upper!

Wiz · By: **Wiz** On: Tue Feb 19, 2013 6:19 pm

You could drill holes in thimble and concrete to make it easier to chisel.

waldo lemieux · By: **waldo lemieux** On: Tue Feb 19, 2013 11:40 pm

Howdy,

Best way is to get a small angle grinder and a 4" diamond blade .Reach in and cut length wise in the thimble about 1" apart at the top make three long cuts from front to back, strike on middle cut with cold chisel and the two top sections will fall out, make maybe four more cuts and remove. then do the same with the cement as necessary to accommodate new thimble. no worries!

Waldo

loxety · By: **loxety** On: Wed Feb 20, 2013 4:01 pm

using a 3lbs sledge and cold chisel I got the terra cotta thimble out.. that mortar is some tough stuff!

freetown fred · By: **freetown fred** On: Wed Feb 20, 2013 4:31 pm

Everything was tougher in 1900

Glad ya gother out--now on to phase-- 2 get er set & light er up

loxety · By: **loxety** On: Wed Feb 20, 2013 4:50 pm

Still have to get some of the old mortar out.. my guess is several hours of work there. then place the new thimble and let the new mortar dry for 24hours. Code enforcement has to come out and check the box, same with home insurance co. Then Light it up!

loxety · By: **loxety** On: Sun Feb 24, 2013 7:04 pm

knocked out the mortar

loxety · By: **loxety** On: Sun Feb 24, 2013 7:07 pm

Testing the fit of the thimble

buffalo bob · By: **buffalo bob** On: Sun Feb 24, 2013 7:47 pm

looking good so far...now get her sealed up real good...i think i would try some refractory cement to seal it...gonna be tough getting it all around the thimble,take ur time do it rite the first time ...

freetown fred · By: **freetown fred** On: Sun Feb 24, 2013 8:01 pm

L, how much space do you have between the end of the thimble & the chimney tile???? Yep, get that all filled in/pretty'd up before anybody looks at it

loxety · By: **loxety** On: Mon Feb 25, 2013 3:16 am

freetown fred wrote:L, how much space do you have between the end of the thimble & the chimney tile???? Yep, get that all filled in/pretty'd up before anybody looks at it

less then an inch of space I think

freetown fred · By: **freetown fred** On: Mon Feb 25, 2013 6:25 am

I know this is only my thoughts, but, if you've got 8" tile--or even 6" I would cut that thimble so it only goes into the near side of the clay tile an inch or a little more. It will give you a lot better draw.

buffalo bob · By: **buffalo bob** On: Mon Feb 25, 2013 10:35 am

take some rich stiff mortar almost like putty reach ur hand in there and pack it full of mortar at the joint of the thimble and the flue liner...refractory cement would be great as it will withstand the heat better reaching in there 12 inches is for sure a hand job...tools just wont git it packed in very good...

Replacing thimble

Replacing thimble

Re: Replacing thimble

Re: Replacing thimble

Re: Replacing thimble

Re: Replacing thimble

Re: Replacing thimble

Re: Replacing thimble

Re: Replacing thimble

Re: Replacing thimble

Re: Replacing thimble

Re: Replacing thimble

Re: Replacing thimble

Re: Replacing thimble

Re: Replacing thimble

Re: Replacing thimble