woodstove cooking surface repair

[Lewis Downey]

I have a friend in the NC mountains with a several decades old wood cookstove that needs repair. The hourglass-shaped separator that goes between two stove eyes has a hole in it. The hole is where the lifter grabbed the piece.  One of the eyes is in pretty bad shape.

The hole makes the stove unusable.  His ideal scenario would be to replace damaged parts - next best would be to repair them.  As I understand it, one of his relatives advised that welding the hole closed would shatter the piece. 

The stove is branded "Round Oak". Several pictures to follow.  One approach might be to repair it to working condition without regard to the esthetics. I think he prefers to return the stove to original condition to the degree that is feasible. Advice in either direction will be appreciated. 

Wood cookstoves are something I admire. I wish we owned one, but I know relatively little about them. I know nothing of repairing them. Thanks for your help.

[Lewis Downey]

Some additional pictures.

[Lewis Downey]

Back of one of the eyes.

[John Arsenault]

Lewis, get in touch with member Nollie Neill Jr, he may have what your looking for.
John A

[Roger Barfield]

Here is his website.  You can click on the contact link.
http://www.glascockstoves.com/

[Lewis Downey]

Thanks guys! I passed the info along.



Is there any inexpensive way to plug that hole well enough to make the stove usable? Something like fire retardant caulking. I guess not caulk. The hole is roughly an inch by an inch and a half.

I asked if he could spot weld a small plate to the underside. He relative said no-go to welding.

Off-topic: my friend has a working steam engine on a dolly a few feet from the cookstove. It's cool to look at. I would love to see it run. The state inspects it periodically to make sure it is not going to explode. They show it off at fairs and other exhibitions now and then.

[Valerie Johnson]

Is there any inexpensive way to plug that hole well enough to make the stove usable?

He could use a bolt with 2 fender washers, One on top and one on underside, Won't look great but will make stove usable until he can locate a replacemnt plate.

[Nollie Neill Jr]

Lewis, got your phone message, came on the forum to see photos. Have tons of the eyes, will need to get measurement on thickness of these pieces also, every foundry was slightly different in thickness. Here photo of just one of my shelves of eyes.

Will call you later tonight, THANKS!

Nollie

[Lewis Downey]

Thanks Nollie, Valerie, Roger, and John. Nollie, call anytime.