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Post by belgiangulch on Apr 4, 2020 15:04:48 GMT -8
Hi All; Converting my 8" J tube shop stove into a 7" batch. Adding a second barrel on top of my first to gain some ISA. I have the heavy duty ring clamp,that retained the removable lid. I assume it is usable to clamp two barrels together? Do I need to insulate / seal this joint? I have superwool on hand. Do I make a seal with it? Retort cement? Is there a standard method being used?
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Post by peterberg on Apr 5, 2020 7:09:30 GMT -8
Clamping two barrels together proves most of the time to be a challenge. When confronted with that specific problem, I try to follow Ernie Wisner's recipe. Ingredients: two open top barrels, one lid and two clamps. Check whether or not they fit together, sometimes the diameter is slightly different. Bottom rims are thinner than top rims so there's a fat chance both rims will fit together in one clamp. In case the answer is affirmative cut out both bottoms, it's advisable to retain a 1" flange for stability. When bottom rims are joined together this way you'll need the other clamp and a lid in order to close the top.
There's another recipe though: this time from Tim Barker, famous for his ingenious metal solutions. It leans on the fact that in closed top barrels the lid and wall are folded together, bottoms of open top barrels also. To get the lid or bottom off/out: use a grinder with a grinding wheel and grind off the very top of the rim while the barrel is upright. Be very careful, just the first layer of metal is sufficient, make it as horizontal as you can achieve. When done all around, the lid will come loose and descent into the barrel. Two of those thinner rims will fit nicely in one clamp and because there's more space in the clamp now a superwool or ceramic paper seal can be added.
Don't bother yourself too much about sealing though: any rocket heater is operating in under-pressure when the chimney is warmed up sufficiently. So air is sucked in, no harmful gases are blown out.
Hope the above is clear.
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Post by belgiangulch on Apr 5, 2020 7:24:16 GMT -8
Thank You Peter; As always you are very prompt with your responses! I did not know about the rim size differences! I will see what barrel choices are available in the neighborhood. Going in to the city is just not a safe option at this time.
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