Advice To Flatten Warped Baffle In Order To Remove From Firebox

[ctreitzell]

Rather than add to some of the other model specific baffle questions
I decided to start my own thread. Sadly, I'm going to have to run my Panadero
with current install for another season. The baffle is severely drooping but still seems
uncracked. It is plate steel, not cast.

I have purchased a new baffle from Panadero.
I have tried before to remove the warped baffle, but it fits tightly and is sitting on welded tabs
like a shelf in a cupboard and there is miniscule clearance: has to be angled to clear the tabs.
With this warp, I haven't been able to remove it.

I'm looking for advice on flattening this piece of steel while still in the stove.
I'm a wood worker, not a metal worker.

I'm planning to remove the stove entirely; take it outside and turn it upside down
and blow the whole thing out with compressed air.

Then maybe take a torch to heat the baffle and tap out enough of the bend to get the baffle out.
I'd like to avoid cutting it into pieces with an angle grinder.

I realize any pounding or pressure could fracture other parts and/or break welds.

Anyone have any advice on a less invasive repair attempt?
I reckon the safest way is to cut the warped baffle out...
but maybe there are other solutions I haven't thought of?

any advice greatly appreciated
here's a photo
View attachment 331304

 

[Todd]

One thing that comes to mind is using a small hydraulic jack in the firebox to push the baffle back up but I don’t know if the firebox is strong enough to take the pressure? It may do more damage than not?

 

[Highbeam]

If you have the torch and the stove is outside, cut it up with the torch. If it's not a cutting torch then you need to cut it up with the angle grinder.

 

[ctreitzell]

One thing that comes to mind is using a small hydraulic jack in the firebox to push the baffle back up but I don’t know if the firebox is strong enough to take the pressure? It may do more damage than not?

Thanks for this...using a small jack certainly came to mind
the baffle in the Panadero is something like 45 degree angle from level

and my main concern was exactly as you warn; to not damage the fixed parts of the firebox

that said, I can make a piece of wood to put the jack base at a similar angle to the baffle and spread the load...and I might be able to take some of th droop out

 

[ctreitzell]

If you have the torch and the stove is outside, cut it up with the torch. If it's not a cutting torch then you need to cut it up with the angle grinder.

Thanks!

I don't have a torch and certainly not a cutting torch
I have an angle grinder
I could buy like a plumbers torch...yet I don't think that will get hot enough
but maybe some heat is better than none?

I'm just not really a metal worker type...my neighboor is...yet I think he will get in a hurry and be too rough and next thing I have broken welds

 

[stoveliker]

The jack would likely break the baffle too imo; the baffle has likely recrystallized from being exposed to heat for long times. The larger grains will make the plate brittle.

If you go the jack route, be sure that whatever you're pushing off against is stronger than the baffle...

 

[ctreitzell]

The jack would likely break the baffle too imo; the baffle has likely recrystallized from being exposed to heat for long times. The larger grains will make the plate brittle.

If you go the jack route, be sure that whatever you're pushing off against is stronger than the baffle...

Yes, needs to be approached gently

This baffle has only seen 2 burn seasons and is plate steel; it is not cast

I’m certainly more concerned about damaging the stove than the baffle

and if the baffle breaks easily, that would be a good thing for my purposes

Thanks for the advice, it’s greatly appreciated

I do have a suitable canister Jack which fits very well… in the stove

 

[EbS-P]

Second the Angle grinder

 

[Highbeam]

Unless the sag is very slight, I would not bother trying to jack it flat. Doing so, if even possible, will make it even bigger and push tighter into the slots so you are even less able to slide it out.

AN angle grinder with a thin cutting disc, hearing and eye protection, it will be out in no time. It's low skill work. Just keep your hair and clothing out of it!

Unless you have an actual oxygen/acetylene cutting torch then heating it will do nothing for you.

 

[VirginiaIron]

I think the solution is more invasive than you want. I would find out if your neighbor has a plasma cutter/torch. He could cut around the flange supports to drop the plate very easily.

 

[ctreitzell]

ok, thanks for all these

I'll give it a go just trying to remove the baffle as is

I mean. it's close to falling off the tabs as it is at the moment...so cutting at the tabs might bring it right down

the firebox walls have deformed a bit and are bowed in just a bit...so that might hinder me most...gonna be cutting the plate into four pieces or more possibly

I'm certainly not crazy about using an angle grinder over my head...so removing the stove may well be in order

I mean, I installed the thing, so I know what I'm getting myself into

 

[VirginiaIron]

I like your idea of turning it upside down. Those cut discs can shatter if damaged/defective and I would rather let the plate drop/disc bind away from me than towards me. Good luck.

 

[ctreitzell]

I like your idea of turning it upside down. Those cut discs can shatter if damaged/defective and I would rather let the plate drop/disc bind away from me than towards me. Good luck.

it might also make it easier to dislodge and possibly remove without breaking, thanks for the support