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Old 04-28-2015, 11:43 PM   #41
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Thank you Taskswap!
I'm glad to hear that it is a good stove! I'd love to have a Jotul like you, but alas, mine is just a "knock-off"
Indeed, these will have short fire times. For me, I prefer short burn times. I know other people will likely have different opinions, but for me, I feel safer with shorter burn times. It means that if I need to leave, I can without having to wait very long, or risk leaving the fire unattended. I had a very small stove before, and I liked it much better than the big one we currently have.

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This is how I have the baffle right now. From what I have looked into, this should be the correct way.
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(this is without the baffle)
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Also, we coated the roof today with elastometric coating! The bus looks really sharp now! It got dark out before I could snap a photo of it. We sealed the seams with the sealant (was the consistency of caulk) before applying the other coat of paint. We still need to apply the second coat.
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I also was able to set the tile on top of the wheel well. We used osb to frame it, and then cement board, and then tiles. I will grout it tomorrow and post pictures. We chose a dark grout, because it is IMPOSSIBLE to keep light colored grout around a fireplace.

We are moving right along!! Finally it seems like this bus is coming together!

Also, an older couple stopped by today. People stopping by is a very common occurrence, as we live a few houses away from a park and we work on the bus in the street.
It was really interesting though, because it was the first time someone had stopped by that kind of implied that we are crazy for doing this. When I told him that we were going to live in it, he said "wow, you must really like roughing it". I had to laugh. When it's done, it will be much nicer than any house I have ever lived in (I hope). He was surprised to hear that we only had three months left to finish it, and wanted to know where I would learn how to do everything, like the basic stuff (framing, flooring, woodworking, etc). I'm not going to lie, I kind of got offended. I guess it's just the way he said it. As if to say; how the hell can a young woman know how to do anything like this?.
I'm always still learning... But I guess I will just have to just show 'em! LOL

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Old 04-29-2015, 06:37 AM   #42
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Nice! You guys are doing an excellent job.
Do you live out there near the New Belgium brewery?
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Old 04-29-2015, 06:41 AM   #43
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I have... THAT EXACT STOVE. Jotul called it the "Harvest Scene" or something like that. It's a total piece of crap efficiency-wise, but it looks good. It's also made of cast iron rather than steel, so it'll last forever (and as you must know it's heavy as *****). It was super cheap when they made it, and because it was reasonably attractive, it was very popular. People around here throw them in workshops and hunting cabins. You can find one or two every spring on Craigslist. I paid $75 for mine.

That is the correct way to set up the baffle, but it doesn't matter. It's not there for efficiency, it just helps set up the draft in a way that keeps you from getting a lot of smoke out the door when you open it.

This thing will go through wood like crazy, but you will be warm and there's basically nothing that can go wrong with it. It's just a chunk of thermal mass that keeps the coals in.

If you use this stove you will eventually want to replace it - it's just going to use a lot of wood, that's all. When you get tired of breaking down 500 pallets every winter and want to cut down the workload, get something with a true secondary burn. Until then enjoy it - it sure is pretty, isn't it?
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Old 04-29-2015, 06:44 AM   #44
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Oh, one more thing - these things leak like crazy at the seams when they start to age. Check yours out and see if it's doing this. The worry isn't about smoke in your bus, because with any kind of draft at all, the smoke is going up the chimney. The problem is when they leak, the air goes IN. You're feeding the fire air whether you damp it down or not, and they can get hard to control. A stove that you can't damp down is very dangerous. You can buy stove cement to seal those cracks if necessary - just check it out.

The best way to check a stove like this for leaks is to build a small fire in it outside with no flue attached. When it gets going, chuck in a damp paper towel, shut the door and damper, and stick a plate on top of the flue opening. If it leaks, you'll know exactly where. ;)
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Old 04-29-2015, 09:12 AM   #45
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Quote:
Originally Posted by maggiemae View Post
We got a metal roof jack. I couldn't find a rubber boot jack made for a wood stove application(they only had hvac), where did you get yours?


The Amazonian gods provide:


D
ektite #5 Silicone Hi-Temp Pipe Flashing 4" to 7"

I installed one near the curviest part of the roof. It seals perfectly.
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Old 04-29-2015, 12:04 PM   #46
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If you use this stove you will eventually want to replace it - it's just going to use a lot of wood, that's all. When you get tired of breaking down 500 pallets every winter and want to cut down the workload, get something with a true secondary burn. Until then enjoy it - it sure is pretty, isn't it?
Thank you for all of your input!! It is reassuring me to hear all of this! I will be regasketting/sealing it (not sure of the correct terminology), but that is a great idea to build a small fire outside and throw in that paper towel. I will have to do that!

It is gorgeous! We are going to replace it down the road, but wood stoves aren't cheap, and while we could afford one if we really needed to... if this one will do the job, so we will use it for a bit. This one was a hundred bucks! I've already been looking around for a new stove, something that is rated for mobile homes. That will be down the road though. I wonder if in the shed that I used to live in, If I could buy that stove off the landloard. ...or at least find one that is similar. I LOVED that stove! As my primary source of heat, maybe I just formed a relationship with it, and knew exactly how to use it. Kept me alive on many a cold winter night. (Drove my mom crazy, she got so worried with me living alone in there when I was just 20.) It had a short burn time though... I would wake up and the water in the dogs water bowl would be frozen. Good thing I had the dog to keep me warm!
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EastCoastCB View Post
Nice! You guys are doing an excellent job.
Do you live out there near the New Belgium brewery?
Thank you eastcoast, I appreciate your compliment!

Yes we sure do! They are only about 15 minutes away. Their brewery tours never get old. Especially because they get ya just a little tipsy for free. Not to mention their Tour De Fat that they put on in the fall! The whole old town city streets are pretty much shut down, and the whole city comes out, drinking and wearing outrageous outfits. Everyone just bikes down the streets with their kiddos, then gets to the end where there is free music and fun things to do. We love New Belgium Brewery around here! Have you been?


OH! Here are the pictures that I promised last night.
Going to put that second coat down soon... maybe not today because its forecast to rain tomorrow.
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And the fireplace area. Were going to do trimboard on the bottom after we put the finished floor down.
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Old 04-29-2015, 12:07 PM   #47
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Also, for the next three weeks, progress might be slow. I should probably "quit" the bus for a bit... to focus on finals.
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Old 04-29-2015, 04:26 PM   #48
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Yep, although I couldn't drink the beer. I can't have Gluten. It really tears me up inside, literally. BUt the place is amazing. Did you ever get over to HAppy Lucky tea house? It's GREAT!
I had a good time. I'm looking to move to ft collins or Loveland for a bit as soon as the bus is ready to make the trip.
Although, we hope to fly out in August for a vacation if my folks don't give up the keys to the RV.
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Old 04-29-2015, 10:18 PM   #49
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You will have to stop by to see our bus!! Sure can't wait to see yours!

I grouted the stove spot today. I didn't have a float, so I threw on a glove and did it by hand. It was so much easier for this small area, and turned out pretty well!

The bottom is going to be covered with a baseboard when we lay the floor, and so are the sides against the wall (simply because I don't have the means to cut the tile). We are also going to put some cement board and some artistic styled steel on the wall.

That's all I did today! Trying to wean myself off the bus!

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Old 04-30-2015, 08:22 AM   #50
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great progress!
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Old 04-30-2015, 09:13 AM   #51
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Just thinking about your wood panels,wonder if they will expand enough that you need to leave a little room at the joints so they won't wrinkle up from the expansion ?
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Old 04-30-2015, 01:14 PM   #52
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That's a great point! To combat that, we are putting a thin layer of foam tape on the metal ribs (in between the ribs and the wood), to help with any movement and vibrations while on the road, and to protect the wood. Also, the panels are tongue and groove, which helps with any expanding and contracting.
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Old 05-04-2015, 11:29 AM   #53
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We had so much planned for this weekend, and were only able to get a few things done with the bus.

I put together and started a small fire in our stove, then put the fire out and watched the smoke pour out of the seams.

Then, I dismantled our entire stove all the way, and Justin and I cleaned it entirely using a wire brush and a chisel in the seam channels to remove the old sealant.

We then put it back together, sealing every seam. It made it so much easier with two people to be able to hold it together.

We also picked up some paint (specifically made for this application), and I spray painted the single wall stove pipes that came with the stove. Justin wanted us to paint the stove, too. I used the rest of a can of paint on the stove itself, and was a bit surprised to see that when the paint dried, it looked almost grey in some areas. Despite re coating it, It still isn't as black as it was before I painted it.

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While I was doing this, Justin was cutting the last interior hole in the ceiling, using an angle grinder.

After the stove dried, we put it in the bus and installed the stove pipe and the flashing/storm collar. We used a metal 45 degree pitch roof flashing on top, and caulked the contact area with the roof using hi temp red silicone. Then, Justin used metal self tapping screws to secure it in place. He started at the highest area of the flashing, and put in many screws, working his way to the sides and bottom. This method ensured that the metal flashing wouldn't create any seams, or bunch up. It was quite effective, and when I checked on it this morning (after it has been raining all night) it was bone dry inside. We will also add sealant to the seams when we put another final coat of sealant on our roof.

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We also were able to "frame" the bathroom. I say that in quotes because it is hardly framing to the point that you would in a home... the 2x4's are turned sideways to save room, and the top is just secured to the frame with wood to metal large screws. It's secure, but it doesn't look like your normal code frame job.

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Then, I used the reclaimed cedar fencing I got last Friday for free off Craigslist to begin putting up the walls, while Justin cut them.

I love the rustic outhouse look it has to it.

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For our bathroom, we are just going to leave it open. I hate the idea of closed off spaces (and a huge wall when I first walk in my home), and Justin wants lots of leg room while using the commode. To counter the weird intrusive feeling one would get when stepping into our bus and seeing a toilet right away, I am going to hide the toilet using a chair with fabric over it, and the seat on hinges. That way when you walk in, you just see a shiny bathtub with a nice chair next to it.
(kinda like this, off good ol google images)
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(sorry for the dark junky pictures... we took them at night when it was dark)
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Old 05-04-2015, 12:17 PM   #54
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Looks really nice! Thanks for the pics!
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Old 05-04-2015, 12:43 PM   #55
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I like open too...but, don't forget about all the moisture/humidity that bath will generate. Be sure to vent the fool out of that area to minimize condensation everywhere inside the bus.
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Old 05-04-2015, 02:13 PM   #56
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I like open too...but, don't forget about all the moisture/humidity that bath will generate. Be sure to vent the fool out of that area to minimize condensation everywhere inside the bus.
And seal all that old wood with something.

Otherwise you will end up with mold city.

I bathed in a horse water troth growing up. They sure get the job done, and better than a rubber made tote.

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Old 05-04-2015, 02:14 PM   #57
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Oh, and about that stove paint, it's definitely "less than black". Old cast iron is BLACK BLACK and stove paint is more of a charcoal. It'll darken in time, but you can also try different products. It looks like yours is a pure flat finish. You might try a product with a little gloss to it. I like the Krylon Satin but YMMV.
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Old 05-04-2015, 08:15 PM   #58
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We're going to clear coat it for sure. That will hopefully help with splinters (to an extent) as well as protecting it, without sacrificing the "patina".

I have been looking into atmospheric water collection. I might try it out, there are a bunch of really cool DIY tutorials around that incorporate a dehumidifier and a water filter. Might be another fun project! It would help with humidity too!
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Old 05-04-2015, 08:22 PM   #59
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I bathed in a horse water troth growing up. They sure get the job done, and better than a rubber made tote.

Nat
Oh boy, I remember going up to our family cabin in wyoming and sitting oustide in a metal trough filled with well water. BURR! Fortunately we boiled some of the water so it wasn't as cold, but burr!! This one will have HOT water going to it! .
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Old 05-04-2015, 09:48 PM   #60
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Sorry that your paint job came out more gray. If I had known that you had planned to paint it I would have suggested trying what they used in the olden days...STOVE BLACK. I have always used this stuff on cast iron and it dries very, very black.

I bought some last year during the summer and had a hard time finding it because, I was told "it was seasonal". Our ancestors would put stove black on their stoves right before the start of the fire season, then get a good fire going to set it in.

Along the lines of TOMMAY's concern with expansion below is a picture of what we did in our bus



There is about a 1/2 to 3/4 inch gap behind the vertical slats and these slats are held in screws that don't go thru the horizontal slats and are screwed right into the original metal walls. We are hoping this will help with flexing and expansion going down the road.
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