Steve Sanford
Well-known member
All~
I finally swapped out my original Defiant stove for another one of the same vintage. I bought my Defiant in 1977 - but with the rear exit. As you can see below, this was not ideal for use in my shop. Everything else in the installation was to code, but the "dogleg" in the stovepipe would keep me awake at night. I did not have any problem in 4 winters but it was such an obvious creosote trap. And, I never completed the hearth - Durock on the floor and held off the wall with 1 1/2" angle steel. The edges of the Durock on the floor were starting to crumble without any protection. (NOTE: The big ceiling hooks near the stove sure come in handy when the gunning gear is cold and wet.)
So, I just found a top-exit Defiant on craigslist and refurbished them both; I just posted my original stove this morning.
I finished the hearth with galvanized sheet metal on the floor and just put joint compound on the wall section and painted it with a satin finish paint. I did not want brick on the floor because I did not want an "ankle-breaker", esp. because I often work on boats with my back to the stove. I did not want it on the wall because it's so dark (if I wanted the heat sink capacity of brick I suppose I could have used brick and then painted it.) I made a beveled moulding for the transition from the floor to the hearth - to avoid a trip hazard.
Finally, I just had to add a mantel with an ogee edge - so I could put some of my memorabilia where I could enjoy them. Some of the shell boxes are live, some are empty - but the Hoppe's No. 9 is definitely empty. ( I will check temps once the heating season gets going to make sure the shells are OK.)
I recognize that this rig may be a bit fancier than anyone really needs in a shop, but, it's in the same spirit as "Life's too short to sail an ugly boat." And, I am ready for winter....
BTW: Boat in top photo is an O'Day Ospray.
All the best,
SJS
I finally swapped out my original Defiant stove for another one of the same vintage. I bought my Defiant in 1977 - but with the rear exit. As you can see below, this was not ideal for use in my shop. Everything else in the installation was to code, but the "dogleg" in the stovepipe would keep me awake at night. I did not have any problem in 4 winters but it was such an obvious creosote trap. And, I never completed the hearth - Durock on the floor and held off the wall with 1 1/2" angle steel. The edges of the Durock on the floor were starting to crumble without any protection. (NOTE: The big ceiling hooks near the stove sure come in handy when the gunning gear is cold and wet.)
So, I just found a top-exit Defiant on craigslist and refurbished them both; I just posted my original stove this morning.
I finished the hearth with galvanized sheet metal on the floor and just put joint compound on the wall section and painted it with a satin finish paint. I did not want brick on the floor because I did not want an "ankle-breaker", esp. because I often work on boats with my back to the stove. I did not want it on the wall because it's so dark (if I wanted the heat sink capacity of brick I suppose I could have used brick and then painted it.) I made a beveled moulding for the transition from the floor to the hearth - to avoid a trip hazard.
Finally, I just had to add a mantel with an ogee edge - so I could put some of my memorabilia where I could enjoy them. Some of the shell boxes are live, some are empty - but the Hoppe's No. 9 is definitely empty. ( I will check temps once the heating season gets going to make sure the shells are OK.)
I recognize that this rig may be a bit fancier than anyone really needs in a shop, but, it's in the same spirit as "Life's too short to sail an ugly boat." And, I am ready for winter....
BTW: Boat in top photo is an O'Day Ospray.
All the best,
SJS
