reversing the door opening direction on a Blaze King stove

[RustyShackleford]

I'm trying to convince a friend to buy a Blaze King, most likely a Princess or King. The door-opening direction (hinge on the left, latch and handle on the right, is almost a show-stopper for him). BK tells me that a custom version of the stove is not going to happen. So I'm exploring the possibility of a field modification, and it seems pretty do-able to me. (I'm not interested in discussion of is this really necessary, or just being told that it's a stupid idea).

The door itself seems absolutely reversible - nothing about it seems like it'd be a problem. The catch (on the stove body) seems straightforward as well; it is simply a piece of partially-threaded rod, bent at a right angle, and bolted into a hole in the stove body.

It's the pieces attached to the stove body (is "boss" the correct term ?) that seem to be an issue.

They're simply small protrusions, with short pieces of rod sticking upwards, that the door slips into. It seems that they could simply be cut off the stove body, probably with a angle grinder, and then welded back on to the stove body on the other side of the door aperture. The main problem seems to be that their re-attachment must be very-precisely positioned, in all three dimensions: distance from the side of the door aperture, vertical position relative to the door aperture, and perhaps most critically, distance protruding from the front of the stove (since this will impact the quality of the gasket seal when the door is closed).

So my main question: would a reasonably competent welder be able to pull this off ?

 

[Murray01]

Any alteration would likely void warranty.

 

[brenndatomu]

And insurance, if something happened and they found out about the mods.
But yes, I'm sure a reasonably skilled welder could accomplish this.

 

[Dieselhead]

I think it’s absolutely doable. the door handle shear pin will have to be re-drilled so the handle sits off the opposite direction.
I am curious is he missing an arm or something? What would a door opening direction cause such a big fuss?

 

[kborndale]

While most certainly doable, that would void the UL rating and now as said previously no insurance payout if things go wrong.

 

[begreen]

This is funny. Years ago Brother Bart had only one gripe against PE stoves, the door was right-hinged with the handle on the left. I have owned stoves hinged on either side and to me, it doesn't make a lot of difference. Our last two stoves have been right-hinged and it's never been an issue. There are a lot more reasons that qualify a particular stove than the door hinging.

 

[RustyShackleford]

I think it’s absolutely doable. the door handle shear pin will have to be re-drilled so the handle sits off the opposite direction.

Ah yes, I see that. But pretty trivial, especially compared to moving the hinge bosses.

 

[Dieselhead]

Ah yes, I see that. But pretty trivial, especially compared to moving the hinge bosses.

Don’t forget to flip the glass over so the BK logo isn’t upside down 😂

 

[RustyShackleford]

IIt's the pieces attached to the stove body (is "boss" the correct term ?) that seem to be an issue.
...
They're simply small protrusions, with short pieces of rod sticking upwards, that the door slips into.

You know, I'm starting to wonder if these things are held onto the stove body by screws (if they have tapped holes, with screws coming in from inside the stove body). Can't check now because .... it's hot in there. The thing is, I don't see any evidence of welds actually being made there., although I don't know enough about welding to say for sure. I'd ask @BKVP but he'll be horrified by this whole discussion.

Don’t forget to flip the glass over so the BK logo isn’t upside down 😂

Actually pretty easy, I've replaced the glass gasket on my stove once already.

 

[RustyShackleford]

Chris @BKVP is your thumbs up of my previous post and affirmation that the bosses that hold the door on are indeed held on by screws and not by welds ? Or an affirmation that you are horrified by this entire discussion ?

 

[stoveliker]

... or both...

 

[BKVP]

Chris @BKVP is your thumbs up of my previous post and affirmation that the bosses that hold the door on are indeed held on by screws and not by welds ? Or an affirmation that you are horrified by this entire discussion ?

They are firmly welded! This is a project that you may not wish to entertain. When we have made them in the past for wheelchair bound folks, entirely new parts are made. The front, the door frame, door hinges, hinge pins, door handle itself. Demand was less than 1 unit every 3-5 years. We no longer offer this option due to excessive costs of making them.

BKVP

 

[Wisco Shepherd]

I think its able to be done with the understanding of all the risks. But selection of a welder fabricator/machinist will be the make or break for this. Joe shmo the "competent" welder is not who Id trust. Id want someone with high end fabrication experience.

 

[BKVP]

I think its able to be done with the understanding of all the risks. But selection of a welder fabricator/machinist will be the make or break for this. Joe shmo the "competent" welder is not who Id trust. Id want someone with high end fabrication experience.

And proper jigs....

BKVP

 

[RustyShackleford]

Yeah, it was just a thought.

 

[Highbeam]

As I recall, woodstock offers some pretty decent stoves with user selected door swing direction. They make some excellent stuff if your hearth is up to it.