cast iron stove top replacement

[eftimios]

This is the only forum that seems to fit so here goes...........
I recentlu bought a cast iron stove (planet 2) on ebay and it has two of the top hole covers missing. I've tried finding replacements but as expected none to be found.
The only soultion seems t be laser cut steel to fit the holes. Is my surmisal correct and if so where do I go for a small job like this in Melbourne?

Thanks in anticipation.

[pipeclay]

Are the plates originally cast or steel?
What diameter are they?

[jhovel]

Firstly, welcome to our forum!
Secondly, the reason the top hole covers are made from cast iron is that steel will eventually (quicker that you mioght think) burn through.
There is a pretty good chance that you would find replacements in the recycling market - tip shops, scap metal dealers, garage sales that sort of thing.
If you give us here the actual dimensions of what you need, we could combine our observation skills and resources to try and find them.
Lastly, someone with some cast iron flat or sheet may be able to make you replicas. Will they need to have a lip? Will then need to have a hole or a key slot? are they circular?
Until you get the correct ones, you could cut yourself some 3mm thick steel sheet to the right shape to start using the stove. Many sheetmetal places will cut things like that with guiloutine or circle cutter (dependin on the shape you need) and they or you can anglegrind the radius on the corners if rectangular.
Laser cutting one-offs is not generally cost effective.
Cheers,
Joe

[China]

Try this mob Scandia Stoves and Heaters | Quality Combustion Heaters and Cookers or this mob http://www.woodstoves.com.au/

[Ueee]

Hi and welcome,
As it is i have an old hole cover sitting in my front garden....it was there when we bought the house. If you post some dimensions you may get lucky...for one anyway. Postage may be a few bob but if it fits its yours, to thin for me to make anything from!

[Karl Robbers]

As others have said, cast iron has a greater resistance to heat than carbon steel, however many slow combustion stoves use carbon steel hotplates with seemingly few difficulties. My own observation is that carbon steel hotplates do react worse if overheated compared to cast iron.
A good option to maximise heat resistance is the use of stainless steel. I used some stainless angle to replace burnt out steel angle in the firebox of a wood heater 8 years ago and it has not noticably deteriorated in this time. Of course if you use stainless, then either laser or plasma cutting are your choices whereas carbon steel can be readily oxy cut.
Laser cutting can be very expensive, particularly for one offs.
Any competent engineering/fabrication shop should be able to cut you a plate out of either stainless or carbon steel.

[Graziano]

One of the most common scrap items at the local steel merchant's laser operation are circles of steel in various sizes, filling up 200L drums. You should be able to get some steel or alloy steel like "wear plate" quite cheaply for less than retail price but more than scrap price.

[eftimios]

Thanks for the replies.

I tred Scandia nut they stopped supplying reproduction stuff a while ago. Interestingly,
this place (Wagga Iron Foundry - Welcome) actually casts a lot of parts for old heaters,
but undortunately not cover plates.

It's always amazing how much we don't know till we ask a question.
I'm not overly concerned about using the top holes as I just wanted to use it as a
pizza oven/work shop heater. That means I don't care about a lip or a groove to be
able to lift them on and off.
But from the responses it seems that stainless steelis the clsest in behaviour to
cast iron, but that steel sheet is also usable?

The diameters required are 148 mm and 115 for the smaller one.
Would be nice to get lucky.

Thanks again.

[Karl Robbers]

Thanks for the replies.

I tred Scandia nut they stopped supplying reproduction stuff a while ago. Interestingly,
this place (Wagga Iron Foundry - Welcome) actually casts a lot of parts for old heaters,
but undortunately not cover plates.

It's always amazing how much we don't know till we ask a question.
I'm not overly concerned about using the top holes as I just wanted to use it as a
pizza oven/work shop heater. That means I don't care about a lip or a groove to be
able to lift them on and off.
But from the responses it seems that stainless steelis the clsest in behaviour to
cast iron, but that steel sheet is also usable?

The diameters required are 148 mm and 115 for the smaller one.
Would be nice to get lucky.

Thanks again.

I wouldn't be in the least bit concerned about using a piece of good old mild steel for what you require, after all fireboxes in wood heaters are made from the stuff. If you find something in the 6 - 12mm range you will be most satisfied.

[pipeclay]

Are you interested in some made out of solid cast iron bar.
I can supply the material to you or turn them.