Question 1) How deep (front to back should the firebox be, either in inches or as a percentage of total length?
Question 2) to save $$ and cut down on weight, can I use 2 thicknesses of 1/2" durock concrete board instead of firebrick? I know it will deteriorate, but I can replace it after the season. I can easily cut durock sheets, it comes in sizes of 3'x5'.
Question 3) I don't have a cast iron grate. I will fab up a grate frame that can be dropped in and replaced if necessary. What steel sections should I use to fab a grate?
Question 4) I will install a port to connect tube from small vacuum cleaner to blow air in. Where should I place the port for the blower; in front of arch, under grate, in back of arch? side?
Question 5) We use 6" pipe for flue.... is that large enough for this unit?
Question 6) are there any websites or postings in mapletrader that you know of that could help me in my design/fab?
I would make sure that the firebox depth is deep enough so that you can alter your wood left to right then front to back. That way you alternate the way you put in your logs when you fire. I would consider making the firebox 18-20" deep to accommodate 16" length wood.
Myself, I would not consider durock as I don't believe it will hold up to the 800-1000 degree temps you will have in your arch. I used a combination of ceramic blanket and half split firebrick.
I built a grate made from 3/16" x 2" angle iron with the "V" of the angle iron up to trap ash and keep the grate from warping. Kinda like this [VVVVVVV]. I would allow 1/2" between the angle iron to hold the wood and allow the air to move up through the firebox. I also took out the firebrick on the floor to allow more air to flow up through the burning wood increasing the fire in the firebox.
The port I believe should be centered in the back of the arch blowing forward under the grate. This allows you to have the hose out of the way so it doesn't melt if embers fall out the door. You will need to make the arch air tight or you might blow ashes out the door and you may need to shut the blower off between firing.
I have a 2x8 evaporator and used 8" pipe. I think 6" will be fine to use.
When I built my arch, I posted a few photos along the way.
http://mapletrader.com/community/sho...2x8-Arch-Build
Last edited by DocsMapleSyrup; 12-28-2019 at 10:10 PM.
Chad
2014: 12 taps, 5 gal buckets
2015: 15 taps on bags
2016: 150 taps: 100 on bags, 50 on 3/16" natural vac, 2x8 AUF/AOF Homebuilt Arch, 2x8 SL Drop Flu & Auto Draw, SL Propane Canner/Bottler
2017: 225 taps: Built Lean to, Added SL hood, preheater, concentric exhaust, SL SS 7" SB Filter Press
2018: 180 taps: Added Shurflo to 50 - 3/16", Auto fill sensor to head tank
2019: No tapping
2020: 175 taps
2021: 300 taps, homemade RO and releaser
2022: 600+ taps