Removing a Built in Damper From Fireplace

 
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dcrane
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Post by dcrane » Wed. Apr. 03, 2013 9:06 pm

Since I was doing this I thought I would post a thread with photo's of doing exactly this...

If your damper is simply missing the flapper or only the flapper is damaged you can replace these fairly easy (If its missing I suggest you look for it up on the rear shelf inside the chimney first as that is the most common place to store it).
In my case I wanted the flapper and the entire damper housing out and gone in order that I could achieve a full 6" stove pipe and strait up into my Terra Cotta chimney liner ;)

I chose NOT to listen to these so called experts telling me a stainless liner is better (its NOT and I like being able to convert back to a fireplace easy as pie anytime). I have seen 100+ year old Terra Cotta liners still in use today and maybe if I ever see a stainless liner last more then 15 years with a coal stove I'd be surprised.

I chose not to listen to these so called experts telling me "you cannot remove a mortared in Damper... I decided to just do it all myself and pay nothing (the only thing im going to be buying is the tile to reface the fireplace, everything else is either used or stuff I have laying around).

The key with removing these buggers is to try to NOT NOT NOT disturb the Lintel (usually angle iron or metal piece that spans underneath the bricks above the fireplace opening), If your lucky enough to have a stone fireplace or such custom work that they used the "Keystone" method then you want to be careful not to upset that archway because its load bearing.

Other then that its pretty simple as these photo's show... The trick is to attack the mortar by wedging then prying.

Attachments

Ugly Fireplace.JPG

Butt Ugly Fireplace is Going to be a sexy Bitch soon!

.JPG | 134.1KB | Ugly Fireplace.JPG
Crow bar pry.JPG

Pry, Pry, Pry (no need to Hit other then getting the bar into the mortar like a wedge)

.JPG | 172KB | Crow bar pry.JPG
Damper Out.JPG

free at last, free at last...thank god almighty im free at last!

.JPG | 167.4KB | Damper Out.JPG
heavy gauge tube frame.JPG

1/4 inch thick steal tube will be welded at corners and will protrude 1/2 inch beyond the surface of the brick then painted brown and will serve as the "trim tile" and give 3 dimensional appearance to the new re-face! The two outer sides of brick with get 2x pieces painted the same brown and also protrude 1/2 from face so I only need to buy field tile to then fill up the middle (save $200 in trim tile!)

.JPG | 164.6KB | heavy gauge tube frame.JPG
repointing new ash drop.JPG

repoint and install new ash drop (its actually a used ash drop i grabbed out of the metal bin at the dump for free)

.JPG | 136.6KB | repointing new ash drop.JPG


 
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Rick 386
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Post by Rick 386 » Thu. Apr. 04, 2013 10:32 am

:clap: :clap: :dancing: :rimshot:

Nice job and good pics to boot.

Definitely something to keep for reference.

Rick

 
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dcrane
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Post by dcrane » Thu. Apr. 04, 2013 1:55 pm

Rick 386 wrote::clap: :clap: :dancing: :rimshot:

Nice job and good pics to boot.

Definitely something to keep for reference.

Rick
I cant wait to finish this project and install my new stove (Ima guarantee I'll be burning in July this year!) :punk:

 
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Post by dcrane » Tue. May. 14, 2013 3:56 pm

added my cheapo 2x6 framing to sides (built it all out 1/2 inch so the face tile can simply be slapped on with no expensive trim tile needed).

sprayed the trim with the last remaining brown stove paint I had in the can = free :P

bought my main ceterpiece Motawi tile on ebay for $50!!! 15"x7"

I only need to save up a few bucks for the cheapo field tile before fall and I can then install the custom Crane 404 :dancing:

The whole project including the stove should be about $400 (if I can find a big piece of flagstone to extend the hearth with :P )

Attachments

P1010006.JPG
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P1010007.JPG
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P1010008.JPG
.JPG | 121.4KB | P1010008.JPG

 
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Post by dcrane » Sat. Jun. 22, 2013 5:09 pm

since I had the day off I decided to continue my fireplace reface (still waiting for money for the tile but I'll be ready when it comes!)

This PL375 better friggin' hold or im gonna be :blowup:

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hardyboard.JPG
.JPG | 115KB | hardyboard.JPG

 
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Post by dcrane » Wed. Aug. 21, 2013 5:42 pm

Ok so tile finally came (Hand made arts & crafts tile for short money!)... I did not expect such variations on thickness and edges, etc. but beggars cant be choosers.... here it is guys (not a finished product yet as I still need to wipe the haze tomorrow and put the trim back on the mantel and edges).

Don't laugh to hard.... I never said I was an expert at laying tile LOL
Bear in mind my 404 is going to PERFECTLY fit in that opening and slide in about 2-3" beyond the new steel Lintel I installed and the paint matches the stove as shown on my other thread here Repaint & Tune up Crane Model 404 so we need to visualize it in place ;) (im open to any suggestions about anything)
P1010002.JPG
.JPG | 150.5KB | P1010002.JPG

 
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Post by franco b » Wed. Aug. 21, 2013 5:56 pm

I think it looks fine and with the stove in place, it will be outstanding.


 
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dcrane
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Post by dcrane » Wed. Aug. 21, 2013 6:54 pm

franco b wrote:I think it looks fine and with the stove in place, it will be outstanding.

good to hear :yes: I paid a total of $260 for all the tile, steel, grout, mortar, hardiboard So.... it is what it is and its the best I could with what I had :clap:
The house will be ready with a brand new coal stove this season (not sure if I'll be their, but at least I'll have it done)

 
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Post by freetown fred » Wed. Aug. 21, 2013 7:38 pm

It came out lookin real nice dc for a Real Estate kinda guy. ;)

 
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Post by michaelanthony » Wed. Aug. 21, 2013 8:17 pm

:clap: Bravo, and also hard to finish something like that knowing you might have to walk away....bro hug!

 
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Post by anthony7812 » Wed. Aug. 21, 2013 9:09 pm

whatchya gonna put in thier? Suspense is killing me!

 
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Post by dcrane » Wed. Aug. 21, 2013 10:10 pm

anthony7812 wrote:whatchya gonna put in thier? Suspense is killing me!
Im putting this deluxe Crane 404 their... Repaint & Tune up Crane Model 404
Crane model 404.JPG
.JPG | 132.5KB | Crane model 404.JPG

 
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Post by anthony7812 » Fri. Aug. 23, 2013 3:11 am

Hey great job that's gonna look great.

 
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Post by dcrane » Tue. Sep. 17, 2013 6:56 am

OK, starting to get cold... in goes the new blocker plate (1 piece 1/2" durarock cemented & sealed in place)... 5' of stovepipe will get me to reach into the terra cotta liner above and this thing is going to draw like a mofu :dancing:
The damper in this thing was a mess (their was no saving it) so it had to be removed in order to make this fireplace ideal for a stove set up (Fireplaces are useless anyways unless they have built in heatalators and even then its questionable). Total cost for mortar, pipe, durarock and ripping out old rusty useless damper = $58.00! will last forever (just need to slip out pipe and replace as needed). Hope this helps someone someday who is dizzy from the $2500.00 quotes of a fireplace shop ;)
New Fireplace Blocker.JPG
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Post by Rigar » Tue. Sep. 17, 2013 7:34 am

nice job....looks great !


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