Secondary Air Damper?

Badger Freezer wrote:It is very possible this stove could have been intended for soft coal. It was built in Belleville, Il. right over bituminous coal deposits, just east of East St. Louis, Il. Other than the BTU's difference, is there any specific reason why I couldn't burn Anthracite?
I live in southwest Wisconsin, not far from Mineral Point.

Morning Badger Freezer,

Been through Minerial Point many times, your about an hour and one half from me - 90 miles.

I don't know about your stove design, but I do know the Locke 120 (WarmMorning) I'm using was designed to burn soft coals and it does a good job burning Anthracite Nut size coal. Easy to idle back on a warm day, easily heats 1200 sq. feet at an average of 27 pounds per day. Now in the temps we've been having -20 F I burn 35 to 40 pounds per day.

Here is a link to a video showing morning reload on this stove last week during that bitter cold weather, and as you can see it burns rather well.


Could you post some photos of your stove, grates, firepot - etc?

Once again welcome to the forum.

Regards: john

Badger, if you get your stove sealed up it will likely burn ant well. You even have a anthracite dealer in your hometown, Bossert Fireplace, so thats the way to go if you can.

Nice video Buck.

I will take photos, this Saturday. Inside and out. I believe this stove was only produced for one year. Can't find any advertisement, other than Oct. and Nov. 1929. And we know what happened that year. Judging by the ads I found, it was by far the most expensive first floor stove of the time.
On first impression the grates are in nice condition. The previous owner (let's call him Shady) said he acquired it from his previous homeowner and that they both burned wood in it. He didn't know he could change the grate from coal to wood and complained of going through excess amounts of firewood. After he removed the charred wood chunks from the firepot, and all the cobwebs; I showed him the error of his ways(after I paid him). I saved this stove from the recycler that would have gotten it, because this guy would have never fixed anything properly(year round yard sale). Although, he did keep all the parts together.
I have only seen two others on the web. One in Oregon and the other in Minnesota. The MN. stove was missing doors and other small parts, but the seller wanted $500.00. The Oregon stove sold for $80.00 but that was four years ago.

If you say "Well, I'll eat my hat" do you season it?

Yep! Finally got some decent photos of the Orbon Tileona Circulator. It's a little difficult, but the words 'open to check draft' are there, on the little trap door(secondary air damper, I thought; but hey can't always be right).

As you have seen, the pictures say it all. Minor refurbishing(unless Murphy shows up). We will start this week with disassembly, checking for wear and cleaning. I will be looking for stove bolts, to replace the ones we'll be cutting off to disassemble the chamber.
How long do refractory liners typically last in these stoves. Year? Longer? Is heat cracking a big issue? If so, would an expansion joint help alleviate this?

Hi Badger Freezer,
After look at your photos - I can hear the music score from "The Great Gatsby" playing in the back ground.



Remarkable period piece. Going to be fun following this thread. Thanks for the detailed photos.

Regards: john

Roaring twenties, indeed. I have looked at as many 1920 and 30's newspapers with Orbon Circulator ads as could possibly be legal and found this stove was a one year model number and style. The great Depression was tough and labor disputes at the Orbon Stove and Range Co. were just a small part of the problems of the times. The company was apparently trying to catch the consumer eye and hopes, with the air circulators(adjustable air drafters). But the circulators were a weak point. The attachment point for the drafter plate axle made them prone to breaking off and then only the chain and one anchor axle side would be left the support the plate. So, I'll be fabricating my own anchor axles, so I can utilize the drafting plates; as intended. I'll make mine from steel vs. cast.
Here's some photos of the teardown. All joints were factory sealed with refractory slurry. This stove had never been disassembled, before yesterday.

nice job on the photos,

I found this casting particularly interesting.
Looks as if an extra thickness of material was welded on and then recast. Complex shape.

Keep us posted on your progress. Thanks

Buck: This could have been a previously known weak point and this was their remedy at the factory. This the only part that I haven't found a part number on. I tried some auto finishing compound on the exterior enamel and although it seems to shine, there is still some stubborn oxidation.

We're at our grandson and step-daughters funeral in Ohio. He fell through the ice in a neighborhood pond and she went in after him. She got him onto the ice, but she was overcome by hyperthermia. The local authorities don't know how long they were there. Neither were ever revived. A sad day.

A sad day for you and your family. Such a tragedy.

My thoughts are with you today. Let us know when your home safe.

Regards: john

I'm so sorry to hear that. Prayers for you and your family Badger.

Paul

I second that. My Condolences.

Condolences Badger. Your family is in our prayers.

Made it back from Ohio. A very long quiet drive back. Thanks for all your thoughts.