Hello, I need opinions from any experienced VC Vigilant owners (or former owners). There is a VC Vigilant on ebay right now. The picture of the nameplate on the back of the stove that is in the ad is stamped with 1980 so I am assuming the stove was made in 1980. I've been splitting and stacking wood all summer with an eye towards buying a stove by the end of the year. I have a 1200 sq. ft. 2 story house about 25 mikes south of Philadelphia, PA. The house was built in 1933, wall insulation is ok but I did have new doors and windows installed about 5 years ago.
I plan on installing what ever stove I buy (been leaning towards an NC13) in front of and partially into the fireplace. The fireplace is in the living room and I'm hoping to heat with wood on weekends and possibly full time as I learn more.
I'd like to tear this stove down and rebuild it and then sand blast and paint it.
Anyway, the Vigilant is 20 years old, needs painting and probably a rebuild. Here are my questions:
- are parts for this stove available?
- what would be the approximate cost of the parts for a rebuild?
- is a rebuild of this stove too much for a novice like me?
- and, assuming I can and do rebuild the stove, would the stove heat the lower level of my home?
- I have about 2 1/2 cords of ash, poplar and mulberry that has been split and stacked since April.
Any information that anyone could share about this stove would be greatly appreciated. I know it is not a real effecient stove, not as effecient as a new Englander NC13. I like the look of it however.
Thanks again for any information anyone could share.
I plan on installing what ever stove I buy (been leaning towards an NC13) in front of and partially into the fireplace. The fireplace is in the living room and I'm hoping to heat with wood on weekends and possibly full time as I learn more.
I'd like to tear this stove down and rebuild it and then sand blast and paint it.
Anyway, the Vigilant is 20 years old, needs painting and probably a rebuild. Here are my questions:
- are parts for this stove available?
- what would be the approximate cost of the parts for a rebuild?
- is a rebuild of this stove too much for a novice like me?
- and, assuming I can and do rebuild the stove, would the stove heat the lower level of my home?
- I have about 2 1/2 cords of ash, poplar and mulberry that has been split and stacked since April.
Any information that anyone could share about this stove would be greatly appreciated. I know it is not a real effecient stove, not as effecient as a new Englander NC13. I like the look of it however.
Thanks again for any information anyone could share.