How much secondary air is enough or too much? What if it was adjustable?

Unhdsm · Jan 17, 2019

saskwoodburner said: ↑

I am curious what chainsaw he may buy though.
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billb3 · Jan 17, 2019

Unhdsm said: ↑

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What, no Osha-approved safety guards ?
Can't cut wood with that, it's dangerous.
Plus they come in various sizes. That would require years of research to conclude a proper size for the wood being serviced.

Unhdsm · Jan 17, 2019

billb3 said: ↑

What, no Osha-approved safety guards ?
Can't cut wood with that, it's dangerous.
Plus they come in various sizes. That would require years of research to conclude a proper size for the wood being serviced.
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Probably best to just retrofit a 2 stroke onto the antique saw.

Suburban wood snob · Jan 17, 2019

papadave said: ↑

I guess the difference is that when I was able, I just bought the stove and started using it. I did go through some time doing research as well.
Since I quit messing with the stove trying to make it work better, I now have a very good, easy, method for burning the stove (it's similar to most others with this stove). Adjusting for varying OAT isn't a big deal either. I've been using smaller loads for quite some time to get just enough heat in SS.
Your comments in this and other threads about how difficult new stoves are to burn seems to be from all your reading maybe on other forums and watching Youtube vids. I'm not sure I know anyone here, and on another forum I used to frequent, who has any major issue with this stove. Minor ones, yes.
The same holds true with other stoves. None are perfect....they aren't a flip a switch appliance. They need attention.
I've seen and watched that vid more than once and came oh so close to trying a variation of it on my old stove. In the end, I didn't feel I had the time or inclination to mess with it. I got the 30 inexpensively and ran with it. Glad I did too.
As I mentioned, my house is slightly smaller than yours and needs more insulation and the 30 does a great job of keeping the place warm without burning us out as long as I adjust the fuel load for conditions (and that isn't a big deal either). I have no pipe damper.....don't need one, although some feel they do. That's the nature of burning. No two setups are the same.
If you TRULY want and can afford a new stove, just do it. Take your pick, there's quite a spread of design, features, and abilities out there to choose from and I really don't think any of them would be a bad choice.
I really don't mean to come across as crass or mean, but you seem to be in a bit of analysis paralysis right now. Jump in.....the weather's perfect for it. The Woodstock deal would be perfect for you.

Not much trouble for a tinkerer. A small mirror, a couple magnets and a bit of time (I'm retired, I have plenty), and after all that "trouble" , I couldn't squeeze any more out of the stove. The stove runs just fine w/o me changing anything, but me being me......I had to try (I used to mess with carbs and bumping timing and such with old cars. Also overclocked computers for a while). Just my nature.
I'm now spending more time in the shop instead.
I'm going for some while I watch. Good luck in your quest....but hurry up. I ain't gettin' any younger.
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A friend of mine is actually a really good engine builder, but always quotes his father when he is working on modifying anything "a very smart man spent many many long days and late nights making this work, why are you screwing with it? "

Makes me laugh every time

Suburban wood snob · Jan 17, 2019

Hoytman said: ↑

Matt has this figured out...least as far that IS stove goes, IMO...and I don't even own one.

His point about the first 1/3 of wood being consumed to quickly; Don't load it so much!

I've had this same reservation concerning Vermont Castings Stoves; the dealers tell you to fully load them...Blaze King dealers too...others as well. I think for many who simply want to occasionally use their stove there's too much involved for people to have to think about with a modern stove. Heck, most can't or won't let their wood dry enough...and a year don't cut the mustard really... and they won't check their chimneys on a regular basis.

I' not trying to pick on anyone when I say this...I'm just thinking out loud. Guys...EPA regs be danged...that just don't jive with me. Gang...every old timer I know (80+) and those already across the rainbow bridge...they all taught me one thing...use your stinkin' head...that is, think for yourself...with everything in life...think for yourself. Use some common sense...every one of them told me that...and they still do...and they have never been wrong yet.

No old timer I've ever known ever put too much wood into their stove or into their fireplace...at least those that paid attention to things. They loaded for the amount of heat they needed or enough to cook with. The only reason they loaded big at night was because they had to load that way to stay warm. You can bet they went to bed hoping the house didn't burn down...and many have.

Today with stove technology...as good as it is...it still doesn't set too well with me because it's not as simple as it should be. Sure, it's easy to learn, but it's still not as easy as it used to be.

I've read this entire thread and it's on the same theme as a post I made in another thread; we need control of our own stoves. Period! They've actually made it hard to entirely choke a fire if...God forbid...you needed to in an emergency. Some modern stoves you might be able to choke but the vast majority you can't. To me, that's a safety concern. Of course, their more intent on keeping you chimney clean for you than you doing it yourself and the more intent on cleaning air that is polluted more by active volcanoes across the earth than all the combined fossil fuel burners across the earth. Don't get me started...

I've said this since I was old enough to understand what a modern epa stove is; an old stove converted with today's technologies would be the best and safest stoves. If you want the stove to be too hot...load it that way...if you need medium heat or low heat...load it that way...if you want to activate the 2ndaries or the CAT...then do it...if you want or need to choke a stove completely for an emergency...then...whoooaaaaa...wait a minute...you can't do that! Give me a break.

I still think this guy has all modern wood stove owners beat...hands down: He has the best of both worlds...2ndary air and total control of primary and 2ndary. I imagine it would be much more involved to turn this stove into a hybrid with a CAT as well.

I still think the old stove designers are still one-up on modern designers and today not many give those ol'timers enough credit. Some manufactures are building stoves again where the firebox is round and tall like older antique stoves...and those that are building stoves this way are implementing modern technologies for some very impressive numbers and heat...all while burning less wood. Those old antiques had a lot thought put into them...gave you total control of primary and secondary air...some had gas rings above the fire pot...some behind...some had suspended fire pots, some of the best were base heaters sort how like a coal or wood cook stove works...and many of them coal or wood provided far lower stack temps...with Blaze King likely leading the way in modern wood stoves. Of course, creosote will always be a concern where stack temps are low compared to the stove body. Air circulation was built right into the stove...and they were far better to look at.
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You are barking up the wrong tree... If you truly want what you say, it's not the government taking that away from you ... It's the lawyers and the manufacturers.
Sorry, it's true. For every 10 rational , well informed users who can take a little responsibility, there's 1 or two bucket heads that will misuse the product. The lawyers start smiling when they see bucket heads.

saskwoodburner · Jan 17, 2019

Suburban wood snob said: ↑

A friend of mine is actually a really good engine builder, but always quotes his father when he is working on modifying anything "a very smart man spent many many long days and late nights making this work, why are you screwing with it? "

Makes me laugh every time
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Ignorance is bliss I suppose.

billb3 · Jan 18, 2019

Suburban wood snob said: ↑

A friend of mine is actually a really good engine builder, but always quotes his father when he is working on modifying anything "a very smart man spent many many long days and late nights making this work, why are you screwing with it? "

Makes me laugh every time
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That very smart man quite possibly answered to a bean counter who constantly compromised his work.

Hoytman · Jan 25, 2019

brenndatomu said: ↑

I think Hoytman works for the gas company...all these evil EPA wood stoves out there n all...
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No … but I'm sure helping to support them. LOL!

Hoytman · Jan 25, 2019

saskwoodburner said: ↑

I am curious what chainsaw he may buy though.
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Already own them...

041 Farm Boss

S10

Hoytman · Jan 25, 2019

Suburban wood snob said: ↑

You are barking up the wrong tree... If you truly want what you say, it's not the government taking that away from you ... It's the lawyers and the manufacturers.
Sorry, it's true. For every 10 rational , well informed users who can take a little responsibility, there's 1 or two bucket heads that will misuse the product. The lawyers start smiling when they see bucket heads.
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Can you tell me approximately what percentage of our elected officials in Washington are attorneys and work for the government(s) or on behalf of manufacturers? You'll understand why I said the government when you find the answer.

Thanks for calling me a bucket head. Beats being called other things.