Looking at a Glenwood 114

Post Reply
 
dhansen
Member
Posts: 224
Joined: Mon. Dec. 10, 2012 3:51 pm
Location: Spruce Head, Maine

Post by dhansen » Sat. Aug. 17, 2013 9:38 am

Hello everyone, my name is Dennis Hansen, living in Spruce Head, Maine, America. I've been lurking here for a couple of months now reading about the trials and tribulations of finding, restoring and operating these Glenwood stoves. Bryants in Thorndike, Maine has a 114 that I have tentatively put a depsoit on to hold. They have gone through it and installed a new barrel, repainted and nickled the appropriate parts. Currently the grates are missing and there is no liner in the firepot. The plan is to get the missing grate parts, install them and line the firepot.

The remaining issue is the back pipe. (I hope I'm getting my terminology for the parts right. I think you'll get the idea regardless). The pipe itself is obviously a replacement, The diverter door is there so I assume the entire internal divider plate is as well although I did not get a flashlight to look down into the pipe to see. What is different is that the original cap and the rear exit thimble were not used when the back pipe was replaced. The flame path is now down through the back pipe and straight up again continuing straight into the stove pipe and out to the chimney.

My question is will this significantly influence the performance of the stove? I can imagine the original configuration might have slowed down the gas flow slightly.

I don't think it would be that difficult to restore the back pipe by finding an original cap and thimble or fabricate some replacement parts. I'm also wondering if a standard damper installed in the stovepipe above the back pipe might serve the same purpose?

I now realize I need to go back with a light to have a look down the back pipe to see if the original casting is in fact inside the pipe. I have seen the thread where a member here fabricated a steel divider for his 116 back pipe. I could do the same if needed.

I'm excited about the prospect of having a new/old heater in the house again. I burned wood for a long time but as the years passed by both my wife and I became less inclined/able to deal with all the work and effort required to feed the monster. The stove became a backup to our oil heat and has only been used during power outages. I looked at pellet stoves as an alternative but was put off by the need of electricity to run them and the varying quality of wood pellets and the troubles that can create. (Not that coal is without quality issues too). I'd always liked the look of the turn of the century stoves and after finding this forum and all the great information within decided to give coal a try.

I hope the 114 works out.

 
franco b
Site Moderator
Posts: 11416
Joined: Wed. Nov. 05, 2008 5:11 pm
Location: Kent CT
Hand Fed Coal Stove: V ermont Castings 2310, Franco Belge 262
Baseburners & Antiques: Glenwood Modern Oak 114
Coal Size/Type: nut and pea

Post by franco b » Sat. Aug. 17, 2013 11:23 am

Unless your house is small and tight I would rather you got a 116 size stove. The 114 is not large enough for a whole house heater. The back pipe adds about 5 square feet of heat exchange surface and without the internal divider the flue gas will not descend down and then up. A standard damper on the smoke pipe will not have the same effect.

Even though Bryants are professional restorers I would still check the fit of the ash pan door to see that it grips a dollar bill firmly all around the perimeter of the door and that the air intakes fit well.

Check your local craigslist for other stoves in the meantime.


 
dhansen
Member
Posts: 224
Joined: Mon. Dec. 10, 2012 3:51 pm
Location: Spruce Head, Maine

Post by dhansen » Mon. Sep. 16, 2013 12:38 am

Well franco, your comments got me thinking. Thanks!

I've made arrangements for Bryant's to do a 116 for me. I was able to see the stove before they began working on it. It didn't look too bad but needed a complete rework including new grates and refractory cement lining. When they removed the old lining the side of the fire pot broke out. It was badly corroded and ready to go anyway. They had a replacement in hand so no big deal. It will also have a new barrel and back-pipe complete with the original diverter, divider plate and cap. I've seen the finished product (less the trim pieces which are out for plating) and it looks nice.

In all honesty, I really wanted a No.6 but am unable to pay the big bucks they seem to require. I haven't given up on the thought though. In fact, I just bought one this past Friday! It is going to take some hunting for parts but eventually I'll get it together. I've started some discussion here: Glenwood No.6 Base Pan.

I managed to drop a full cup of coffee on my digital camera as it sat in the console of my truck. It is quite dead now so no pics until I get a replacement.

 
User avatar
wsherrick
Member
Posts: 3744
Joined: Wed. Jun. 18, 2008 6:04 am
Location: High In The Poconos
Hand Fed Coal Stove: Glenwood Base Heater, Crawford Base Heater
Baseburners & Antiques: Crawford Base Heater, Glenwood, Stanley Argand
Coal Size/Type: Chestnut, Stove Size

Post by wsherrick » Mon. Sep. 16, 2013 1:45 am

You will be very happy with the Modern Oak 116.

Post Reply

Return to “Antiques, Baseburners, Kitchen Stoves, Restorations & Modern Reproductions”