After 3 days of burning coal in my hotblast I had to let it burn down. My grates have way to much play between them. I'm going to drill and set screw them as Lightning has done. As I was staring at them I wondered if something like a 'H' frame to tie the front and rear grates together would work? If it were bolted with stainless to the underside of the grates. The only issue I can foresee is if you still have the back lip of the ash pan on it would likely hit.
Here's a rough sketch of what I'm thinking. (don't laugh, not an artist)
Hotblast Grates
- Lightning
- Site Moderator
- Posts: 14659
- Joined: Wed. Nov. 16, 2011 9:51 am
- Location: Olean, NY
- Stoker Coal Boiler: Modified AA 130
- Coal Size/Type: Pea Size - Anthracite
Hey that's not a bad idea. I had a similar idea when trying to remedy the "play" factor. Bolted to the underside right? Umm, the only thing I foresee is it working loose because of the awkward leverage/twisting forces it would have to endure.
Yea, If I get time today I'm going to whip one up. I think if I use a shoulder bolt or tap the grate and tighten the bolt first then nut the bottom with a lock nut, the kind thats crimped not nylon. I'll give it a shot and post some pics hopefully later today......hopefully. Also doing your fix with 4- 1/4 20 set screwsLightning wrote:Hey that's not a bad idea. I had a similar idea when trying to remedy the "play" factor. Bolted to the underside right? Umm, the only thing I foresee is it working loose because of the awkward leverage/twisting forces it would have to endure.
My first grate needs to move about 1 1/2" before the rear even thinks about moving. a lot of play. Plus either my "nub" is not straight or the bore on the square end isn't. Doing both should make it extremely solid....until the front nub breaks off..lol. We'll see.Lightning wrote:Wouldn't it be easier just to tap and set screw the nub? Or do you think the clamp idea will take more abuse?
Whoa, just checked weather -1 tonight with windchills -10 - -15. Think I'll just do the set screws for now so I can slap it together after work and fire it up.Lightning wrote:Wouldn't it be easier just to tap and set screw the nub? Or do you think the clamp idea will take more abuse?
- Ky Speedracer
- Member
- Posts: 492
- Joined: Sun. Dec. 21, 2014 9:38 pm
- Location: Middletown, Kentucky
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Florence HotBlast NO.68 & Potbelly
- Hand Fed Coal Furnace: HotBlast 1557M
- Coal Size/Type: Ky Lump & Anthracite Nut
- Other Heating: Oil
Tim - for what it's worth, I did the mod that Lightning talked about with the set screws and it's worked great. Don't know how long it will last but for now the 2 grates work like one single piece.
- Lightning
- Site Moderator
- Posts: 14659
- Joined: Wed. Nov. 16, 2011 9:51 am
- Location: Olean, NY
- Stoker Coal Boiler: Modified AA 130
- Coal Size/Type: Pea Size - Anthracite
I'm going on 2+ heating seasons with the set screws. No problems so far. I've put some serious torque on them too, probably more than I should lol.Ky Speedracer wrote:Tim - for what it's worth, I did the mod that Lightning talked about with the set screws and it's worked great. Don't know how long it will last but for now the 2 grates work like one single piece.
- Lightning
- Site Moderator
- Posts: 14659
- Joined: Wed. Nov. 16, 2011 9:51 am
- Location: Olean, NY
- Stoker Coal Boiler: Modified AA 130
- Coal Size/Type: Pea Size - Anthracite
Have the two grates mated together when you drill. The key is to drill thru the outer socket and leave a divot about an eighth inch deep on the nub of the joining grate for the screw to set into. Use 4 screws, one for each side of the square nub.