Building my own 2x4

[dave&kyle]

Hello to all mapletrader's
I started building a 2x4 evaporator last week20729
Here are a couple pics of the frame tacked together I will put up some more when i make more progress. I've got a bagerland continuous flow pan and preheated on it's way.
Got a couple questions 1 how much room should I have under my pan I made it deep enough for a SL hybrid or a drop flue If I ever feel I need to get bigger? 2 what should I fill the space with sand under the insulation? 3 I am going to make rectangular flue and take it to 8 inch pipe how big should the rectangle be on the top of the evaperator?
Thanks in advance for your assistance and to everyone who posts on here with there suggestions thoughts and ideas

[dave&kyle]

20730 sorry can't figure out how to put multiple pics on the same post

[dave&kyle]

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[littleTapper]

Looks good. I would reach out to SL to get what they suggest for spacing on their hybrid stuff. Hate to guess going off the website! I won't think you'll need any sand. This is similar to mine (gallery has some pics (http://mapletrader.com/maplegallery/g629-2x4-arch-build.html)) and I just used ceramic blanket 2" thick through most and then firebrick splits in the firebox since that's the only area that can get beat up. For the start of your base stack, the rectangle, go as wide as you can across the width of the arch. Mine's made from 1/4" plate and the opening is roughly 20x8" or so. If you don't go wide, there's a chance the draft will not pull heat out to the back corners of the pan, costing you some efficiency.

[Milton]

I'm wondering same thing. In the same stage as you on a 2x3. Keep us updated on build. Looks good so far!

[red/one]

Very similar build to the one I built last year. I ended up eliminating the ramp this year. We shall see how that goes. Mine is 2x6ishhttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200211/1c3c1d309177248f058025c5d597fb5c.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200211/38ebb73fe1d055cbe913372423d324cc.jpg

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[Grabouss]

Very similar build to the one I built last year. I ended up eliminating the ramp this year. We shall see how that goes. Mine is 2x6ishhttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200211/1c3c1d309177248f058025c5d597fb5c.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200211/38ebb73fe1d055cbe913372423d324cc.jpg

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How did you eliminate the ramp? Just made it even depth pst the firebox?

[red/one]

Grabouss, I built the back wall higher and insulated behind it.

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[dave&kyle]

Making some progress have to make hinges and latch on the door and make the transition for the smoke stack them I think I will be done with the building/welding part of it

[Milton]

It's coming together nice. Are you going to put a preheat pan up on your flue box? Also wondering what your plan is for grates/ Ash pan. I'm building a 2x3 right now

[dave&kyle]

Ye my preheated box will sit up on the flue box thought that would be hotter than on top of the pan and no condensation dripping back into the sap. The grate is going to be 2x2x1/4 angle iron just like everything else in the rest of the arch. The ash box is 8 inches deep with a flip up door to clean it out and to let draft in under the fire. Just have a old speed limit sign for the floor in the ash box not sure how it will work but hopefully it will last this season. Hope that helps you along on your build Milton. Am going to start insulating tomorrow

[Milton]

Make sure you post pics. I also have an aluminum sign and might put that in for my floor

[dave&kyle]

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I'm behind on updating my build progress but I got it all insulated and the grate built Friday

[dave&kyle]

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Sunday got it painted set up and the bricks put in

[dave&kyle]

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Few more pics

[Milton]

Looks great mine is real similar, curious if you insulated your exhaust box on the back.21052

[dave&kyle]

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I just wish could post more pics at once. Lol.

[dave&kyle]

The sides I insulated with ceramic blanket the top is 3/8 plate that hopefully won't warp and heat the sap real good in the preheated box

[dave&kyle]

21053
The trees are running good got the ro cleaned today need to put the rest of the stack up and get the pan on so we can do our first boil on our new creation can't wait to see how it performs

[dave&kyle]

Milton looks like great minds think alike...lol. Your build is looking good best of luck with it post more pics and let everyone know how it works for you

[Milton]

Thanks and will do. I have a few days to finish it then I will be tied up at work and won't be able to tap until mid March. Talk about last minute! Hopefully I dont miss out

[Milton]

Let me know how the bottom of your Ash pan holds up, not sure if I want to brick that or not. Thanks!