Hotblast Grates

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tim/oh
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Hand Fed Coal Furnace: Hotblast

Post by tim/oh » Mon. Jan. 26, 2015 11:03 pm

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)

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Lightning
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Post by Lightning » Tue. Jan. 27, 2015 3:53 am

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. :)

 
tim/oh
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Post by tim/oh » Tue. Jan. 27, 2015 8:56 am

Lightning 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. :)
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 screws


 
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Lightning
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Post by Lightning » Tue. Jan. 27, 2015 8:59 am

Wouldn't it be easier just to tap and set screw the nub? Or do you think the clamp idea will take more abuse?

 
tim/oh
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Post by tim/oh » Tue. Jan. 27, 2015 10:53 am

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?
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.

 
tim/oh
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Post by tim/oh » Tue. Jan. 27, 2015 11:18 am

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.


 
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Ky Speedracer
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Post by Ky Speedracer » Tue. Jan. 27, 2015 1:01 pm

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.

 
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Lightning
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Post by Lightning » Tue. Jan. 27, 2015 1:20 pm

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.
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.

 
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Lightning
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Post by Lightning » Tue. Jan. 27, 2015 1:31 pm

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.

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