My $50 Crane 404 Adventure.
- windyhill4.2
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- Posts: 6072
- Joined: Fri. Nov. 22, 2013 2:17 pm
- Location: Jonestown,Pa.17038
- Stoker Coal Boiler: 1960 EFM520 installed in truck box
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Crane 404 with variable blower
- Coal Size/Type: 404-nut, 520 rice ,anthracite for both
I do know that dcrane said that the pot should be pulled & rotated front to back to even the wear as the back sits in the hottest seat. My pot was just slightly warped & I turned that to the front.The pot in these stoves are not sealed to the frame it sits on,when shaking the grates you will see the pot move up & down a bit.If you want to look at a manual for any info,there is a link but I don't yet know the tricks of linking anything other than chains. You can find the link reference in the thread :Crane 404 -Our first coal burner & then page 5. Pull the pot & look it over good b4 deciding what to do with it.
- artbaldoni
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- Joined: Sun. Feb. 02, 2014 7:46 am
- Location: Newville, PA
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Alaska Kodiak
- Other Heating: O W/C B
Maybe just use it the way it is and see how it works. Might do a test fire outside when I get it home.coalvet wrote:There is an air gap between the baffle and the fire pot normally so I wouldn't worry about that anyway.
What would be the drawback if used as is other than a slightly reduced coal volume?
- artbaldoni
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- Location: Newville, PA
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Alaska Kodiak
- Other Heating: O W/C B
So are you thinking this warp is not a big deal and shouldn't diminish functionality of the stove?coalvet wrote:There is an air gap between the baffle and the fire pot normally so I wouldn't worry about that anyway.
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Seal any gap leading to the ash pit with furnace cement or even fiberglass insulation stuffed in, and use it the way it is. Worry about a better fix in the summer if you like the stove.
- Freddy
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- Location: Orrington, Maine
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Neat stove! I've never seen one in person. Hope you find way to fix it. I get a kick out of how people in & around PA might say "I'll get one made" when referring to a cast iron anything. That simply does NOT happen here in Maine. The nearest place that might do a custom casting is.... PA! Up here when a cast iron anything is broken, it might get welded, but it's most likely junk. Best of luck!
- windyhill4.2
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- Posts: 6072
- Joined: Fri. Nov. 22, 2013 2:17 pm
- Location: Jonestown,Pa.17038
- Stoker Coal Boiler: 1960 EFM520 installed in truck box
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Crane 404 with variable blower
- Coal Size/Type: 404-nut, 520 rice ,anthracite for both
If you are going to do as franco suggested & use it,pull the fire pot & put the worn section to the front where you can more easily poke insulation in if & when it needs replaced again. This will also allow the worn section to be in a cooler spot than it currently is.
- coalvet
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- Posts: 254
- Joined: Tue. Feb. 27, 2007 12:48 pm
- Location: Rhode Island
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Crane Model 404, Harman MK I
- Coal Size/Type: Nut
- Other Heating: NG Boiler
I think the fire pot should be dealt with eventually however you can use the stove as is. That damage was most likely caused by over firing the stove. The fire pot in my 404 is like the day it was built and I have never over fired the stove. As suggested I would lift it out and turn it around.
- artbaldoni
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- Location: Newville, PA
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Alaska Kodiak
- Other Heating: O W/C B
FINALLY got the 404 home. Now to get it out of the van...
All these work hours arre killing me!
All these work hours arre killing me!
- windyhill4.2
- Member
- Posts: 6072
- Joined: Fri. Nov. 22, 2013 2:17 pm
- Location: Jonestown,Pa.17038
- Stoker Coal Boiler: 1960 EFM520 installed in truck box
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Crane 404 with variable blower
- Coal Size/Type: 404-nut, 520 rice ,anthracite for both
I have been wondering where,what ,why,& how,not necessarily in that order. Good to hear from you again,& now the stove is where you can look at it & wish it was warming you.
- artbaldoni
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- Location: Newville, PA
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Alaska Kodiak
- Other Heating: O W/C B
Don't know if I'll have time to get it refinished and up and running anymore this season. I can't wait to fire it up and have the wife warm her bottom on it. Maybe I won't be in as much trouble for taking away her fireplace and putting a stove there instead. Nobody in the house but me is excited about having a stove vs a fireplace.
- artbaldoni
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- Location: Newville, PA
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Alaska Kodiak
- Other Heating: O W/C B
ITS IN MY BASEMENT!!!
- windyhill4.2
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- Posts: 6072
- Joined: Fri. Nov. 22, 2013 2:17 pm
- Location: Jonestown,Pa.17038
- Stoker Coal Boiler: 1960 EFM520 installed in truck box
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Crane 404 with variable blower
- Coal Size/Type: 404-nut, 520 rice ,anthracite for both
Got a pic to prove that ? Another step in the right direction,getting closer to burning coal in your house.Hook it up,pull the fire pot,turn it around,set it in & start burning coal.
- Pauliewog
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- Coal Size/Type: Stove, Chesnut, Pea, Rice / Anthracite
Great Newsartbaldoni wrote:ITS IN MY BASEMENT!!!
Your persistence really paid off.. I gave up after four phone calls and leaving two voice messages.
Glad to hear you got it home safe and sound and appreciate the pics and updates.!
I agree on turning the firepot and firing it up. Get a feel for it and have all next summer to decide what mods or repairs you would like to do.
Best of Luck
Paulie
- artbaldoni
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- Joined: Sun. Feb. 02, 2014 7:46 am
- Location: Newville, PA
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Alaska Kodiak
- Other Heating: O W/C B
There you go Windy! I wasn't foolin you!
- windyhill4.2
- Member
- Posts: 6072
- Joined: Fri. Nov. 22, 2013 2:17 pm
- Location: Jonestown,Pa.17038
- Stoker Coal Boiler: 1960 EFM520 installed in truck box
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Crane 404 with variable blower
- Coal Size/Type: 404-nut, 520 rice ,anthracite for both
Sure enough,but no lite in those windows ? That stove looks cold !