Replies

1. 
   Piffin | Dec 25, 2002 12:25am | #1

   Yes, you need to speak with masons in your area but you can fit a Rumsford into nearly the same depth as a metal prefab because one of the features of the Rumsford is that it is shalow. It is the heaight that differs and the angles of the back walls.

   Slab on grade will have a thickend edge anyway. That thickness should extend to lie entirely under the masonry mass with rebar passing through @ 12" OC.

   If it is a two story or higher, the added mass might mean that you need a separate footer.

   .

   Excellence is its own reward!

   "The first rule is to keep an untroubled spirit.

   The second is to look things in the face and know them for what they are."

   --Marcus Aurelius

1. 
   Haole27 | Dec 30, 2002 01:26am | #9

   wow, piffin does reply to Every post! thank God we have someone who truly "knows it all!" and it was within 15 minutes of the first post too! Everybody raised their glass and chug!

   is there any subject he has not mastered?

1. 
   MarkH128 | Dec 30, 2002 02:25am | #10

   Stalking?

2. 
   notagain | Dec 25, 2002 01:59am | #2

   How 'bout one of these? How far from Connecticut are you?

                                                                                                      Rod

1. 
   Piffin | Dec 25, 2002 06:37am | #3

   Schmidt has the proportions of a real Rumsford, more so than any of the others, it looks like. Lassow is the one I like best for period apperance and style.

   Great Works All!.

   Excellence is its own reward!

   "The first rule is to keep an untroubled spirit.

   The second is to look things in the face and know them for what they are."

   --Marcus Aurelius

1. 
   notagain | Dec 25, 2002 03:14pm | #4

   Thanks Piffin,

   I appreciate the comments. I also worked on the mahogany surround of Lassows. Spent almost 2 years on that job, from the brick foundation, 4 fireplaces, oak timber frame kitchen, wainscoting, and everything in between. I'm quite proud of that job.

   Here's a picture of Schmidts, also a period job. The timber frame was taken down, and relocated. Six fireplaces in this one. (5 in main house, 1 in addition).

   Piffin, if I read these posts correctly, you're from up Maine area. (I know, Down East, but up from Connecticut).  I was born in Lincoln, Maine. Been in Connecticut most of my life, but I'm still a Mainer, they can't take that away from me. Always thought about heading back up.

                                                                                                             Rod

3. 
   MikeR | Dec 26, 2002 03:56pm | #5

   I built my own in my house just a year ago.   Got all my info from Superior Clay's website (dimensions, etc) Bought all the materials from them as well such as throat curves and liners.  Works great!

   Get Count Rumford's book as well as its vital for understanding the design.

   Make sure you local code accepts the design as well as they are more shallow than a standard design.

   Mike

4. 
   rjw | Dec 27, 2002 12:53am | #6

   Be aware that fireplace dynamics can be significantly affected by how tight the building envelope is, and there is a reason for the move away from open fireplaces!

   Be sure that the fireplace design/function will work with the envelope specs

   _______________________

   "I may have said the same thing before... But my explanation, I am sure, will always be different."  Oscar Wilde

5. 
   wrick2003 | Dec 27, 2002 02:04am | #7

   my friend, you are in luck. find the following book:

   "the forgotten art of building a good fireplace"

   by vrest orton

   yankee books publishing box c3fp  depot square peterborough nh 03458

   my old copy was preweb so no web address.     good luck.

6. 
   MarkH128 | Dec 27, 2002 03:37am | #8

   FYI

   This is a list of masons in that claim to build rumford fireplaces.

   http://bricknet.com/mason.html