firegrates

[oldbiker]

I make coal firegrates from mild steel for my friends and family because there cast iron grates burn out and are expensive to replace, my question is what do ye consider the best mild steel or cast.

 

[normspanners]

normally cast handles the heat better but stainless would be better than mild steel

 

[Paul99]

normally cast handles the heat better but stainless would be better than mild steel

That's what I kept reading when an Aunt asked me to make one. Wasn't sure it would work but given that it was a large one off design cast iron wouldn't have been feasible. In the end I used 10mm x 10mm and 10mm x 20mm square bar just to make sure it would survive the heat. It turned out to be a simple job and it certainly looked the part with a coat of stove black and a few brass finials. I never did take a photo of it but it's still in regular use 3 or maybe 4 years later so next time I'm there I'll take a few. Certainly cast iron would have been better but for what that would have cost you could make dozens of mild steel baskets for the same price.

 

[normspanners]

I made my outer 'frame' out of mild steel 12mm square but where the fire sits I used cast strips of cast iron grating from industrial drain tracks like these (see picture) the slots in them are tapered so the grooves are wider underneath so the dust falls through without clogging

 

[Seano]

Excellent idea norm, using old cast iron grids, how did you come by them, or shouldn't I ask.

 

[normspanners]

I used to work in a metal recyclers yard and we used to get all the scrap from the council they used to come in regularly so I grabbed a load I think I still have a few left for MY spares. but being relatively short when cut to the shortest span and seperate they dont burn or distort to much.

 

[Seano]

Nice one