Potbelly Heater Project

[Mattchew]

Thought I’d share my heater project I started a couple of weeks ago which took me only around 20 years to get to!

I originally grabbed half a dozen semi trailer brake drums off my old boss which have been sitting in my back yard for a few years, then I came across some drums off a 6x6 MAN service truck at work which are quite a bit larger than the other drums.

Welding cast steel can be a pain so I wanted to make this with no welding required at all on the drums and easy to dismantle coz it’s going to be real heavy.

Started with bending 32mm x 3mm flat bar to join the drums together.

Next came the ash box which I made out of these old stainless electrical cabinets, there was literally hundreds of these at my work being sent to the scrap yard so I took a few home.

Cut the front off two cabinets, shortened the width of one, trimmed the height and welded the front back on. Nice and easy to empty the ash.

Next challenge was putting legs on it. I cut a hole in some 10mm plate and cut it a little wider then my ashbox to weld the legs to. Tapered the legs just for looks.

I made use of the holes in the back where the eletrical wires went through and made a sliding door to regulate air flow.

Work still in progress so more to come soon.

 

[TractorJeff]

Nice work!

 

[Mattchew]

Thanks Jeff

 

[1/2 Cup]

Mattchew wow that is just awesome..

 

[Mattchew]

Thanks 1/2 Cup too kind. Look what I scored in the steel bin yesterday. 4" stainless ball valve! I'm going to cut the flanges off so it doesn't look so bulky.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Mattchew just perfect.

 

[dfiler2]

Nice! That all looks really good together, not sure about cutting the flanges off though.

 

[Richard Cranium]

looks good so far, keep posting them pictures.

 

[Mattchew]

Nice! That all looks really good together, not sure about cutting the flanges off though.

Thanks mate, do you think it looks better with the flanges on?

 

[NUTTSGT]

Pretty cool project.


How tall is that thing ?

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Leave the flanges. Add rivets every where, make it look steampunk.

 

[Mattchew]

Pretty cool project.


How tall is that thing ?

Just over 32”.

 

[Mattchew]

So I’d already cut the top plate with my homemade radius bar and with the off cuts I welded them back together to make the grate for the bottom. Didn’t worry about the radius bar for this just cut it all freehand, rough enough no one will see it!

Top plate

Off cuts welded

Grate

 

[1/2 Cup]

Mattchew well done. I luv your approach to the grate..

 

[Mattchew]

Thanks 1/2 Cup, hate to waste good steel.

 

[Mattchew]

Glad I left the flanges on, found this piece of stainless with the same flange on it! Good call people.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Mattchew

 

[Stuart in MN]

Very cool. One question, do you know the heat rating of the seals in the ball valve? They may not hold up to the heat from the stove, although on the other hand you probably don't need a 100% seal on the chimney anyway. However, depending on what they're made of they could melt and stick the thing in place.

 

[Mattchew]

Very cool. One question, do you know the heat rating of the seals in the ball valve? They may not hold up to the heat from the stove, although on the other hand you probably don't need a 100% seal on the chimney anyway. However, depending on what they're made of they could melt and stick the thing in place.

Hi Stuart, you’re right I removed all the seals so there’s plenty of movement for the ball valve and the shaft to rotate. The finish between the two halves is pretty good so I doubt it will leak much. Cheers.

 

[Mattchew]

Well finally got her fired up and she performs beautifully, when it’s wide open you can’t sit within 6 feet of it and then you can shut it down so it just idles over. Should be perfect for my new 40 x 22 shed. I don’t think I’ll bother painting the drums just went over them with a flapper wheel.

Slid the pipe through and welded it underneath, looks a little neater.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Mattchew well done..