Been a while since I contributed here. When the collection has filled all the available space (430 stoves now) it is time to stop. HOWEVER at a swapmeet last month there was a three dollar Radius No 5 S:or wreck. By the time I added a fuel cap washer, non return valve, inner and outer burner rings, and pot ring I had used up over $30 worth of spare parts. It would have been cheaper to buy a $15 one with all the bits. Or is this what the spare parts are for? Another extravagance was an upright four burner adjustable with oven. Aladdin bought the common Metters kitchen stove of the day and replaced the gas parts with kero system. But the tank is really rusted out and the pot support on one side is missing. More money wasted? Fr Laurence
Hello, Fr. Laurence! It's wonderful to see you're still up and running in the stove hobby, Mate!! "False economy"? I think not! Hey, part of the fun of all this is in the fettling, and bringing back to life of some old, tired, and near death stove, right?! Well done, and how's about some photos of your new acquisitions? Take care, and God Bless! Every Good Wish, Doc (who gave up trying to count his stoves, long ago!) 8)
This reminds me of the essay (Dave Barry?) about the guy who figured he could save a bunch of money by buying a wood stove to heat his home. Something along the lines of... The stove $1200. Chainsaw $350. Gascan, gas, oil, measuring cup, funnel, gloves, earplugs, safety glasses, etc. $50. 4-wheel drive pickup truck $36,850. Hospital bill for broken toe after dropping 600 lb log $2935. Steel-toe boots $85. Fine for trespassing in private forest $5000. Hospital bill for gash in leg from chainsaw $8745. etc. etc. etc. Full tank of fuel oil for furnace $563.
Hi PJ, after 23 years of burning wood, I've come to this: Chain saws; 1x25cm blade, 1x30cm, 1x42cm & 1x45cm, total sum €850 (the 30cm is worn, the 42cm was second hand, swapped it for an M20 big end that came free, and the 45cm was as good as new) Stoves; 1 new stove at 50% discount, €250 and 1x second hand €375 Trailer €850 Hospital, €0 Steel toe-capped shoes, €0 Fuel, somewhere between €150 and €200 for the chainsaws, and I guesstimate another €50 for the car fuel. Think I'm still making a profit here I must add I need to buy a car that can tow a trailer, but I use my trailer frequently for other things as well so I need both anyway (my present car is a 1,6l diesel). Regards, Wim (happy with his woodstove!!! )
You are much better off than the typical suburban-dweller who thinks he can save a few bucks. But, that also reminds me of a bit some years ago... I had three trees felled in my (suburban) yard. The arborist came to give me a price quote and I told him I just wanted him to cut the trees down, and I would handle the rest. He asked if I was sure I could limb, buck, and split them, as they were pretty big trees. I said I had a chainsaw (I just didn't know if I could fell them without hitting the house (car, neighbor's garage, etc.)). He said, "oh, yeah... we know your type... office grunt, but you have a chainsaw so on the weekends you can come outside and pretend you *work* for a living like *we* do." I nodded "yes".
My old Pioneer P51 was retired three years ago and thrown out. I could no longer find the solid state ignition it required to have replaced every few years. I bought it barely used from a Feller and used it for over 20 years. I have two Stihl's now, a baby and a larger one for the bigger stuff when cutting firewood. I think I have been helping the United Kingdom's economy more than the USA's with all the stoves I have bought the last few months.
