Lubricating Under Carpet/Slider Plate on Pocono?

 
404
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Post by 404 » Wed. Nov. 12, 2014 12:19 pm

Hello All,

I have taken apart and hosed off all the parts of my Pocono top (for the moment :lol: ) vent .

There is some erosion of the cast iron burn plate in the location where the carpet plate slides back and forth. This is to be expected with steel against iron movement at these temperature.

Has anyone found a suitable lubricant to put between the carpet or slider plate (the piece of sheet metal moved back and forth by the stoker motor) and the cast iron burn plate? Exotic choices are fine.

What about lubricants that did not work out, and why was that?

My goal is to reduce the load on the stoker motor as much as possible as well as to reduce wear on the burn plate. I know that if I take care of this furnace it will take care of me.

Still giddy from getting it. :) :lol:

All advice and comment appreciated as always,

Regards,
404


 
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McGiever
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Post by McGiever » Wed. Nov. 12, 2014 5:09 pm

No lube...forgetaboutit.

Coal ;) dust is your lube.

Sometimes it helps to remove the carpet and us a hammer to take out a little bow in the middle. :idea:

When it gets bowed you'll get more coal dust lube than you want under there. ;)

 
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Post by 404 » Wed. Nov. 12, 2014 8:07 pm

That was funny.. Thank you.

Regards,
404

 
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Post by SMITTY » Wed. Nov. 12, 2014 10:53 pm

Yeah, in an application like that, any kind of grease, or even oil, would attract so much crap that it would end up doing the OPPOSITE of what you want it to do. :)

 
404
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Post by 404 » Thu. Nov. 13, 2014 10:05 am

SMITTY wrote:Yeah, in an application like that, any kind of grease, or even oil, would attract so much crap that it would end up doing the OPPOSITE of what you want it to do. :)
But is that attracted stuff crap or is it life giving carbon based semi solid lubricant? :D

Under the current conditions the cast iron burn plate is clearly being worn away under the carpet. Looks like bare metal on bare metal to me.

What I want to do is stop the erosion of the cast iron. :)

Regards,
404

 
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Post by Lu47Dan » Thu. Nov. 13, 2014 8:31 pm

As a former machinist......
If the edge of the carpet plate is sharp the only way to stop the wear on the cast iron is to blunt the edge with a file. In other words break the corner or chamfer it slightly. I would not make too big an angle on it, just enough so it does not act as a cutting edge.
Dan.

 
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Post by Lu47Dan » Thu. Nov. 13, 2014 8:31 pm

As a former machinist......
If the edge of the carpet plate is sharp the only way to stop the wear on the cast iron is to blunt the edge with a file. In other words break the corner or chamfer it slightly. I would not make too big an angle on it, just enough so it does not act as a cutting edge.
Dan.


 
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Post by EarthWindandFire » Thu. Nov. 13, 2014 8:41 pm

I switched from rice sized coal to buck size because buck is cleaner and has less fines. I'm hoping the buck will cut down on blocked air holes in the grate and very small pieces that I found under the carpet.

 
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Post by 404 » Thu. Nov. 13, 2014 9:06 pm

Lu47Dan and EarthWindandFire, Thank you for the information. I will break the sharp edge.
Is there unburned coal left in the centers of the Buck or is that a non issue? I recall reading that someone was having trouble with it.

Regards,
404

 
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Post by Uglysquirrel » Thu. Nov. 13, 2014 9:21 pm

EarthWindandFire wrote:I switched from rice sized coal to buck size because buck is cleaner and has less fines. I'm hoping the buck will cut down on blocked air holes in the grate and very small pieces that I found under the carpet.
Wood appreciate a report how this works out and possible feed rate differences due larger particle size and time to turn to ash (??)

Ug

 
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Post by Uglysquirrel » Thu. Nov. 13, 2014 9:22 pm

McGiever wrote: Sometimes it helps to remove the carpet and us a hammer to take out a little bow in the middle. :idea:
Well...... I just learned something.....the plate can bow, eh?

 
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Post by McGiever » Thu. Nov. 13, 2014 9:48 pm

Well, yes, from side to side it can crown a little...front to back is not a problem. :)

 
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Post by 404 » Fri. Nov. 14, 2014 11:21 am

Any lubrication disaster stories? Who has tried it and had a spectacular failure.

Regards,
404

 
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Post by McGiever » Fri. Nov. 14, 2014 12:03 pm

404 wrote:Any lubrication disaster stories? Who has tried it and had a spectacular failure.

Regards,
404
If you are bent on lube for this...then use powdered graphite, commonly use in lock cylinders, as graphite can easily handle the heat. ;)

 
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Post by 404 » Fri. Nov. 14, 2014 4:35 pm

McGiever wrote:
404 wrote:Any lubrication disaster stories? Who has tried it and had a spectacular failure.

Regards,
404
If you are bent on lube for this...then use powdered graphite, commonly use in lock cylinders, as graphite can easily handle the heat. ;)
Well yes I am bent, and I enjoy it. As far as the stove goes I understand the theory of why not to lube it, but sometimes theory and practice are different. Thanks for the information about the graphite.

Regards,
404


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