No, I didn't get the wall cut out in time. Wife was REALLY against me rushing to get that wall cut out, with all the dust that needs cleaned up in that room. Believe me, we both wanted to have it out there, but it would have let a LOT of dirt and dust into the main house so we opted to just be patient for another week or so, until I have the beams cased and the trim around the door and windows, etc. Hoping to finish it up by mid January.....definately ready for the Superbowl party!
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Thanks, Griff.......that is total BS about the taxes, isn't it? It really pizzes me off that when you try to better your OWN home, they try to **** you for it with taxes. Not fair at all......
Thats going to be a nice room to watch the Patriots win the Super Bowl this year.
I have watched the progress of this behemoth undertaking with stifled admiration and would like to enter the conversation now as post #255 by saying bah, humbug, who wants a $3,000 stove anyway and a wall o'stone rivaling Poseidon's Adventure at Universal Studios. Not me. I'm content, sort of, just burning newspapers in this old steel barrel here on the sidewalk with my buddies Jed, Frank and somebody else whose name I forget. I hear tell Romney has an elevator for his Caddys, like wow, but I bet he's got nothing like whats going on inside that house in Central PA, whereever that is. Happy Holidays everyone. I'm really cold.
Ha, that's funny. I hope you keep warm with the newspaper, but you, Jed, and Frank should put your recycled can profits together and get a Progress Hybrid. The fireshow is excellent and it gets long burn times from newspaper (especially the sports section) I am told.*see charly's post #8.
I love yours equally as well, GW. Your fireplace was one of the inspirations behind mine. I was wondering where you have been, haven't seen or heard from you in a while!!WOW - I now have a new favorite fireplace. Well done
Thanks, weatherguy! I'm looking forward to watching that game in my new recliner in there.......but, I highly DOUBT the Pats will be in the big dance, though......at least PRAYING they aren't.......Thats going to be a nice room to watch the Patriots win the Super Bowl this year.
Realstone
Lord of Fire
Thanks, Realstone! The fronts of the vents stones are faced with the brick hammer. I had to cut them with the diamond saw to fit the register holes. That job was a particular challenge, but one that I am glad I did as those registers are probably my favorite part of the project......they really set the whole fireplace off nicely.
I am also tickled how the hearth turned out....some of those stones weigh around 120 to 150lbs. Most of the thick hearthstones were faced with the hammer and chisel as well. All in all, I'm very happy with how it turned out. My wife and kids love it, that is what really makes me happy in the end. The room should be ready for the Superbowl party I want to have. I'll be doing the barnwood casement of the beams, the trimwork, and the flooring over the next couple of weeks....
I was wondering where you have been, hope you had a wonderful Christmas season!
Realstone
Lord of Fire
One of the best yet Scotty. Relaxed but lots of family etc, great dinner.
Always wanted to learn under a master stone mason. I still don't know about reading grain, striking etc.
Me too. I've read books, watched some tutorials, etc. But there's nothing compared to working alongside a real pro that has many years of experience. It is, quite honestly, a dying art......and that's.really sad. I bought this book by Charles McRaven and its really good, check into it. He's all about the old world way, and he's done some amazing projects.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0882665502
Thanks Stejus! Yes it took a long time, but I stayed with it and got it done...
I ran across your build the other night and love it! How is your setup operating so far since you installed it several years ago?
I love it. Originally I figured a five year payoff. Turns out the RIO came in around the 3 year mark. It does the job and I reduced my heating oil from 1000 gallons a year to about 275. The 275 gallons is for the hot water jacket inside the burner. I should also say we are warmer than ever because I never had the thermostat above 68 when running the Forced Hot Water Heat. My hearth and family room is not big enough for a stand up wood stove but if I move and have the right set up, it will be a stove for sure. Love the wood!
Machria
Minister of Fire
Ok, enough of this "love fest", lets all be honest, this looks like CRAP! What a bunch of shoddy work! 
But I have a question for you: When we put up my 1/2" x 12" x 12" slate tiles, we had alot of problems making the stone stick to the walls and underside of my "alcove". My tiles were 6lb each (a box of 10 weighted 60lbs). So looking at your stones, they look to weight alot more than that? How they heck do you get them to stick?
PS- I can never let my wife see this thread! This is what she wanted me to do (the stones) instead of slate/tiles. I wanted to as well, but opted for the 2 week install time, instead of the xx month install time!
But I have a question for you: When we put up my 1/2" x 12" x 12" slate tiles, we had alot of problems making the stone stick to the walls and underside of my "alcove". My tiles were 6lb each (a box of 10 weighted 60lbs). So looking at your stones, they look to weight alot more than that? How they heck do you get them to stick?
PS- I can never let my wife see this thread! This is what she wanted me to do (the stones) instead of slate/tiles. I wanted to as well, but opted for the 2 week install time, instead of the xx month install time!
You're right about the stones, some of those stones weigh a LOT more than 6lbs. The key is to make the mortar 'just right', and I had to wet the substrate before installing the stone. Had I not done that, the substrate would have sucked the moisture out of the mortar too fast and the stone wouldn't have stuck.Ok, enough of this "love fest", lets all be honest, this looks like CRAP! What a bunch of shoddy work!
But I have a question for you: When we put up my 1/2" x 12" x 12" slate tiles, we had alot of problems making the stone stick to the walls and underside of my "alcove". My tiles were 6lb each (a box of 10 weighted 60lbs). So looking at your stones, they look to weight alot more than that? How they heck do you get them to stick?
PS- I can never let my wife see this thread! This is what she wanted me to do (the stones) instead of slate/tiles. I wanted to as well, but opted for the 2 week install time, instead of the xx month install time!
How did you prepare your substrate (what is behind the slate tiles)? Curious as to what you did in your install. Plus, I'd love to see pics. I'm sure it looks fantastic!
Machria
Minister of Fire
You've seen my install:
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads...problem-progress-hyrbrid-install-pics.101580/Durarock NG behind the tiles. I didn't do the stonework, I paid "a guy". Tile/stone is one of the only things I don't do myself.., just never did it, don't have a wet saw, ... but it looks easy enough. Anyway, the guy that did it has been doiong it for 20+ years, and had a diffucult time. The tiles were thicker and heavier than he was used to, and the bottom of each slate tile was a bit un-even (as slate normally is). He actually experimented with 3 different types of morters trying to find the best one but still had difficulty and had to prop up many of the tiles and wait 30 min's or more before letting go. He did not wet the durarock, but he did try different mixures of the morter (wetter, dryer...).
Wetter mortar will allow the tile (or stone) to slide down, so that won't help. Moistening the substrate with a spray bottle does WONDERS for installing stone. I found this out by trial and error. I stoned my entire facade on the house, the staircase inside the house, the chimney chase, the stone behind my stove in the kitchen, etc. Once I found out about the moistening effect, it made it easy. Also, did you parge the Durock prior to installing the stones? When I install the stone, I make sure to have a good scratchcoat, even on the Durock. Did you notice the pics in this post of how I put metal lath AND scratchcoat over the Durock? Let that set up for at least 24 to 48 hours and it really helps the stone stick better as well....You've seen my install:
Durarock NG behind the tiles. I didn't do the stonework, I paid "a guy". Tile/stone is one of the only things I don't do myself.., just never did it, don't have a wet saw, ... but it looks easy enough. Anyway, the guy that did it has been doiong it for 20+ years, and had a diffucult time. The tiles were thicker and heavier than he was used to, and the bottom of each slate tile was a bit un-even (as slate normally is). He actually experimented with 3 different types of morters trying to find the best one but still had difficulty and had to prop up many of the tiles and wait 30 min's or more before letting go. He did not wet the durarock, but he did try different mixures of the morter (wetter, dryer...).
Richprint29
Member
DIYDiva
New Member
I have what is probably going to seem like a really dumb question but I am trying to figure something out quickly before we install the manufactured stone. We have a NZ3000 fireplace that we just installed and I need to know if you can install lathe directly onto the metal firebox at the top or is it mandatory to install hardibacker or durock beforehand and then install the lathe. And is it okay to screw into the metal firebox? We are fairly handy with DIY but stonework isn't anything that we are familiar with. I have 'Googled' til my heart is content but can't really find anything that shows covering up the metal firebox. Anyway, I would appreciate any and all information that you can give me. If you need some other information or pictures, let me know. Thanks.
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