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#103238 - 09/16/08 05:58 PM My Hot Hex - and Homemade Tent Stove.
phat Offline
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Registered: 06/24/07
Posts: 4107
Loc: Alberta, Canada

Very Very much a work in progress, since I'm still waiting for glue to dry...

But I figured I'd share the experience so far...

http://bofh.ucs.ualberta.ca/beck/pictures/hothex
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#103239 - 09/17/08 05:31 AM Re: My Hot Hex - and Homemade Tent Stove. [Re: phat]
rootball Offline
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Registered: 06/16/08
Posts: 112
Your neighbor needs to paint his fascia board. Over time rot can develop and lead to more costly repairs. It appears that some of his shingle mold may be missing in this area as well. (snap back to reality).....
Oh I like your stove design. Down here where I live that could be converted to a smoker. Which Gollite is that?
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#103240 - 09/17/08 05:40 AM Re: My Hot Hex - and Homemade Tent Stove. [Re: phat]
bigfoot2 Offline
member

Registered: 09/17/06
Posts: 1432
Loc: Eugene , Oregon
Very nice, Phat! Fire it up and send me some smoke signals <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> That should keep you warm this winter, for sure.

BF <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

P.S. What about a base for the stove if used on snow.....
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#103241 - 09/17/08 07:17 AM Re: My Hot Hex - and Homemade Tent Stove. [Re: phat]
finallyME Offline
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Registered: 09/24/07
Posts: 2710
Loc: Utah
Looks like you need to leave the sewing to your wife. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> JK. The metal work is great though. I like it. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
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#103242 - 09/17/08 02:10 PM Re: My Hot Hex - and Homemade Tent Stove. [Re: rootball]
phat Offline
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Registered: 06/24/07
Posts: 4107
Loc: Alberta, Canada

It's a shangri-la 3 actually.
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#103243 - 09/17/08 02:13 PM Re: My Hot Hex - and Homemade Tent Stove. [Re: bigfoot2]
phat Offline
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Registered: 06/24/07
Posts: 4107
Loc: Alberta, Canada

Well, currently the stove is on a temporary base of a couple of tent spikes driven into the
ground.

My current thought is I'm combing the junk bins for an aluminum arrow. When I find out I'll chop
it into some legs for the stove that I can thread and put on. On snow I'll just set the feet on a base
of some sort - like my little bit of foam carried to set my svea on.

However I'm not finalized on a leg design yet. for simplicity and lightness...
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#103244 - 09/17/08 04:42 PM Re: My Hot Hex - and Homemade Tent Stove. [Re: phat]
Rick Offline
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Registered: 05/10/04
Posts: 708
Loc: Ontario, Canada
All and all a nice setup. I'm sure it will take the chill off and maybe even get warm enough to dry clothes.

Now from the cheapseats..........hope you don't mind some suggestions.

28 ga. is thin. I would add a grate to the bottom of the firebox - or should I say firetube. It's not a big firebox and you will not get roaring fire going, but, I'd be concerned about burning a hole in the bottom. A grate will stop this possibility. The fire will also burn better with some air from under the grate. You'll quite likely have to leave the door open without any draught holes, but this no problem. Just make sure there is nothing combustible in front that sparks will land on.

The stove pipe will need to be supported on the outside. I'd be concerned that any amount of wind could dislodge the pipe from the firebox and that would be a huge hazard. What are Kifari (sp) using on their teepee hot tents?

Now for the legs / supports. How about some 16 ga aluminum say about 12" high and 9" wide. Cut a hole large enough for the firetube to fit through. Two of these will support the firetube and provide a flat surface to put a pot over the firetube. You might need a couple of those spikes on top to act as kind of a grate for a flat surface for a pot. It may not get hot enough to boil, but it will melt snow.

What kind of bird dog is that? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

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#103245 - 09/17/08 07:10 PM Re: My Hot Hex - and Homemade Tent Stove. [Re: phat]
phat Offline
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Registered: 06/24/07
Posts: 4107
Loc: Alberta, Canada
Just updated after putting the boot on and doing a test fire...
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#103246 - 09/17/08 07:25 PM Re: My Hot Hex - and Homemade Tent Stove. [Re: Rick]
phat Offline
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Registered: 06/24/07
Posts: 4107
Loc: Alberta, Canada
Quote:
All and all a nice setup. I'm sure it will take the chill off and maybe even get warm enough to dry clothes.

Them's the idea. Actually after a fireup today - it gets pretty darn warm inside. the hex
is small enough to heat pretty good with that little stove. I'm pretty sure I'll be drying
clothes just fine, which was one of the reasons I wanted to take the pipe out and leave both the big vents in the top.

Quote:

Now from the cheapseats..........hope you don't mind some suggestions.

28 ga. is thin. I would add a grate to the bottom of the firebox - or should I say firetube. It's not a big firebox and you will not get roaring fire going, but, I'd be concerned about burning a hole in the bottom. A grate will stop this possibility. The fire will also burn better with some air from under the grate. You'll quite likely have to leave the door open without any draught holes, but this no problem. Just make sure there is nothing combustible in front that sparks will land on.


That's actually the intention - I'll probably double line the bottom, but it's been fine so far (I've fired it off about 5 times before trying it in the tent, and it doesn't show any signs of big problems.) Although actually only the door is 28 ga. the pipe is thicker, but i forget how much - it was extra bits. The door runs pretty much "shut" with a 1cm opening
around it and draws really well. it's not really ment to "shut" - I"m not going to try to
"hold" a fire in anything that small. it's just ment to be fed small wood..

Quote:

The stove pipe will need to be supported on the outside. I'd be concerned that any amount of wind could dislodge the pipe from the firebox and that would be a huge hazard. What are Kifari (sp) using on their teepee hot tents?


I had a look at a kifaru once, and it was a lot like what I'm doing. there's no support per say on the outside, but the pipe is vertical and doesn't stick out too far. I actually left the stove
set up on the boot all day in a pretty stiff breeze and no problems at all. Since my pipe is
(almost) vertical, and supported near the top and the bottom, it seems really stable in the wind. that notwithstanding, I do have the stove right next to the vertical pole of the hex (I won't be pitching with trekking poles while using the stove! ) so I can actually simply wire the pipe to the pole on the inside of the tent without any trouble).

Quote:

Now for the legs / supports. How about some 16 ga aluminum say about 12" high and 9" wide. Cut a hole large enough for the firetube to fit through. Two of these will support the firetube and provide a flat surface to put a pot over the firetube. You might need a couple of those spikes on top to act as kind of a grate for a flat surface for a pot. It may not get hot enough to boil, but it will melt snow.


Hmm.. now *that*'s an idea. I had actually figured on putting a couple of machine screws though the top to act as a pot support. but that might work very well indeed.
I probably wouldn't use the big spikes, but putting a wire kitchen warming rack over that
would be lighter, and give me lots of room... we'll see what I come up with.

Quote:

What kind of bird dog is that? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />


Springer spaniel - although he's scared of chickens <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />


Edited by phat (09/17/08 07:29 PM)
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#103247 - 09/20/08 12:48 PM Re: My Hot Hex - and Homemade Tent Stove. [Re: phat]
phat Offline
Moderator

Registered: 06/24/07
Posts: 4107
Loc: Alberta, Canada


Ok, I managed to sand the edge of my malfunctioning stove boot, re-epoxy on the velcro, and do another protracted test firing - things now seem to be going very well, and I've added some more pictures above.

Now to make legs. I like rick's idea of some sheet aluminium - but I'm also eyeing the stove at the moment because the lovely TiGoat stovepipe rolls up real easy and fits nicely inside it, and I can wrap the boot on the outside for one nice compact package. I'd love to get legs
that fit inside when packed up - so it's all a nice 6 inch by 1 foot cylinder.


Edited by phat (09/20/08 07:31 PM)
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#103248 - 09/23/08 07:38 AM Re: My Hot Hex - and Homemade Tent Stove. [Re: phat]
motorbikegeek Offline
newbie

Registered: 09/21/08
Posts: 6
Looks really neat. And it looks fun to build and use. I just had a similar idea. I though wrapping a hot rock in extra cloths or a blanket or even a shammy and sleeping with it in the bag would keep me nice and toasty—it's the same thing they do with pizzas! (although pizzas rarely complain about comfert)

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#103249 - 09/23/08 09:06 PM Re: My Hot Hex - and Homemade Tent Stove. [Re: phat]
Jimshaw Offline
member

Registered: 10/22/03
Posts: 3983
Loc: Bend, Oregon
phat
nice job
where's the spark arrestor? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Looks like a nice hunting tent for deep winter. how could you make it hold enough wood and damper it so it would burn low all night?
It would make it awkward but more stable if the pipe was welded to the stove, or to a "rear piece" that the front connected to, thus using the stove as part of the stability and insuring that the fire goes through the tent, no wait a minut <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> thats wrong. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />
Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
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#103250 - 09/23/08 10:18 PM Re: My Hot Hex - and Homemade Tent Stove. [Re: Jimshaw]
phat Offline
Moderator

Registered: 06/24/07
Posts: 4107
Loc: Alberta, Canada
Quote:
phat
nice job
where's the spark arrestor? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Not shown, but actually I've used a little thing of 4 layers of hardware cloth inserted into the pipe at the bottom - this works well with poppy wod and doesnt' clog up like ones on
the end of the pipe. although I've found with that 6 foot pipe on that little fire it's unnecessary.

Quote:

Looks like a nice hunting tent for deep winter. how could you make it hold enough wood and damper it so it would burn low all night?
It would make it awkward but more stable if the pipe was welded to the stove, or to a "rear piece" that the front connected to, thus using the stove as part of the stability and insuring that the fire goes through the tent, no wait a minut <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> thats wrong. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />
Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />


I'm relatively convinced it isn't possible without large stove to get an all night burn like that. there just isn't enough mass inside a 6 inch 1 foot long tube to do that. I'm pretty happy getting 30 minutes of heat out of a fill - my emphasis has been to keep it light, compact, for it to throw lots of heat, and affordable. So far so good, it heats the tent well, and is still compact and light enough to be backpackable.

as far as stability, I've wired the pipe to the tent pole near the stove, with that I'm confident it isn't going anywhere.
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#103251 - 09/27/08 01:23 PM Re: My Hot Hex - and Homemade Tent Stove. [Re: phat]
Earthling Offline
member

Registered: 02/22/03
Posts: 3228
Loc: USA
Good job Bob, a nice project well executed from start to finish. Photos really help it along and work as a great tutorial. Must be all that computin' ya' do all day <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />
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#103252 - 09/27/08 08:20 PM Re: My Hot Hex - and Homemade Tent Stove. [Re: Earthling]
phat Offline
Moderator

Registered: 06/24/07
Posts: 4107
Loc: Alberta, Canada

Well, it's not strictly done yet Eugene - I still have to sew my little beak on over the velcro boot hole, and make a silnylon patch of the same size, with velcro around the edges so that the boot will handle rain, and the tent will be weatherproof without the stove in it.

I spent 12 hours today with a huge roomful of computers and a power failure (no aircon! I was lettin' the smoke out!) so I'm now havin a beer and chillin' - but if I feel like sewing tomorrow I'll get that done and post more pictures <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
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#103253 - 09/27/08 08:37 PM Re: My Hot Hex - and Homemade Tent Stove. [Re: phat]
Earthling Offline
member

Registered: 02/22/03
Posts: 3228
Loc: USA
Hit me with the whole dealie when yer done Bob if you would, per our PM. Makes a cool little igloo if you get enough snow <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
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#103254 - 10/04/08 02:20 PM Bwahaha! 13 minute boil time!!!! awesome!! [Re: Rick]
phat Offline
Moderator

Registered: 06/24/07
Posts: 4107
Loc: Alberta, Canada
Quote:

Now for the legs / supports. How about some 16 ga aluminum say about 12" high and 9" wide. Cut a hole large enough for the firetube to fit through. Two of these will support the firetube and provide a flat surface to put a pot over the firetube. You might need a couple of those spikes on top to act as kind of a grate for a flat surface for a pot. It may not get hot enough to boil, but it will melt snow.


So for the full details see the pics at the bottom of
http://bofh.cns.ualberta.ca/beck/pictures/hothex/

but here's the summary. After Rick kind of inspired me with the above, I proceeded to wait until she who must be obeyed was out of the house an I "borrowed" the small kitchen cooling rack that she never uses.. It looked good but it was windy enough today I couldn't just try it on the stove, so I had to set up the tent again.. After some modifications and some wire the result:





Starting with 2 cups of 6 degrees C Edmonton tap water (it's coooold year round..) I ended up with this result:



in about 13 minutes from getting the stove going.. More than nice enough to cook on, and would definately do a fine job melting snow. It ain't as fast as my whisperloud, but patience is easier to come by when you're inside and warm in my experience <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />


Edited by phat (10/04/08 02:23 PM)
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#103255 - 10/04/08 04:28 PM Re: Bwahaha! 13 minute boil time!!!! awesome!! [Re: phat]
Folkalist Offline
member

Registered: 03/17/07
Posts: 374
Loc: Fredericksburg, VA
That is really impressive, phat. After seeing how you made "legs," my brain is a-boilin' with ideas for alternate uses for simple tent/tarp stakes.
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#103256 - 10/04/08 04:42 PM Re: Bwahaha! 13 minute boil time!!!! awesome!! [Re: Folkalist]
phat Offline
Moderator

Registered: 06/24/07
Posts: 4107
Loc: Alberta, Canada

my "legs" are still temporary.. those spikes are heavy..

I've not yet finalized my stove support method - however I'm looking at a way to
attach the stove on the back to the support pole, and then just have the front up there for stabilization.. either that or what Rick suggested earlier about using aluminum sheets...
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#103257 - 10/06/08 09:05 AM Re: Bwahaha! 13 minute boil time!!!! awesome!! [Re: phat]
finallyME Offline
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Registered: 09/24/07
Posts: 2710
Loc: Utah
You do realize that she is going to need that now that you chopped it up. I'd be practicing the line "I don't know where it is. You were the last to use it." <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
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#103258 - 10/06/08 04:49 PM Re: Bwahaha! 13 minute boil time!!!! awesome!! [Re: phat]
Rick Offline
member

Registered: 05/10/04
Posts: 708
Loc: Ontario, Canada
Hey that's great. Nothing wrong with that boil time. You'll soon appreciate the splendor of sitting around a nice warm fire watching and waiting for water to boil. But most of all, watching snow melt is very interesting. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Some of those sticks under whatever legs you decide on will stop the stove from sinking into snowpack. Build a platform in log fashion style for support. If the snow starts to melt after a period of time put another stick under it as a shim, so to speak. If you don't understand this concept, let me know, and I'll see if I have a picture.

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#103259 - 10/08/08 05:22 AM Re: My Hot Hex - and Homemade Tent Stove. [Re: phat]
chaz Offline
member

Registered: 10/22/07
Posts: 1149
Loc: Tennessee
Phat, I like your idea for a stove/heater. A couple of questions. The stand pipe is 6' long? How will you carry it? I assume that you get all the heat from the chimney/standpipe? What does all this weigh? Will you just use it in the backyard or do you plan to carry it in the wilderness? Lastly, how will you carry all this and 200 lbs of water donkey meat? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
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#103260 - 10/08/08 01:12 PM Re: My Hot Hex - and Homemade Tent Stove. [Re: chaz]
phat Offline
Moderator

Registered: 06/24/07
Posts: 4107
Loc: Alberta, Canada
I haven't put it on a scale yet, but I think the stove body weight about a pound or so, and
the pipe about the same. - so as it is it probably weighs something between 2 and 3 pounds.
Add that to about let's see 23 + 13 + 3 ounces == 39 oz for the shangri-la 3 so I figure it'll be 6 or 7 pounds for a workable hot tent rig, which I'm pretty happy with.

Oh, I see you're wondering about the pipe. I'll post a picture later but this is a rollup stainless
steel pipe from titanium goat (our sponsor) it's actually a flat piece of stainless steel shim stock
with some wire rings. if I roll it out flat, I can curve it up lengthwise to form a 6 foot pipe. When I
want to pack it, I roll it up in the short dimension and it forms a 12" long tube, which fits inside my
stove (I did my homework before I decided on my firebox length). so the thing I have to pack
is simply a 6 inch by 12 inch tube.

Will I carry it? heck yah. my winter kit ain't exactly light weight. Will I trade 3 pounds for the ability to dry clothing and sleeping bags? heck yeah. As it is the stove and hex tent will go onto my giant heavy brio pack just fine thanks <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

As for swamp donkey meat? - that's usually brought out on a packframe, or an ATV, or a combination of both <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />


Edited by phat (10/08/08 01:17 PM)
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#103261 - 10/08/08 04:17 PM Re: My Hot Hex - and Homemade Tent Stove. [Re: phat]
chaz Offline
member

Registered: 10/22/07
Posts: 1149
Loc: Tennessee
What do you think could be the smallest size firebox and chimney and still be effective? Maybe a lighter and packable unit? 2"- 3" Dia.chimney and a fire box 4" in diameter. I like the idea of having a woodburning stove. Too bad you can't just have a fireplace inside the tent but Poofffffffffffffff. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />
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#103262 - 10/08/08 04:24 PM Re: My Hot Hex - and Homemade Tent Stove. [Re: phat]
chaz Offline
member

Registered: 10/22/07
Posts: 1149
Loc: Tennessee
Nice. Please post some temperature data when you get a chance. I'm curious to know how warm it is, at what outside temp, how long your fire is effective and at what distance etc. On a cold nite it will be nice to be able to contain the heat if even for short bursts. Cause as ya know it ain't R-16 insulated. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
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