Morso Squirrel Baffle - early failure

[Stubby]

5 hours ago, aesmith said:

Just fitted the replacement, I didn't appreciate how far the old one had deteriorated!  From the inside it looked a bit as if it had been hit with an antitank gun or something, bulging up as well as split.  However once removed it started falling apart in my hands, bits breaking away around the split then breaking in half just from lying it down to take the photos.  The iron is all fractured almost like dry rot.

 

I don't think we've been running it too hot, but I did wonder if the use of larger bits of wood was a factor.  With our wood mostly split from larger stuff nowadays there's a temptation maybe to leave it too large, putting the fuel nearer the baffle.

 

 

How about fabricating one out of 4mm stainless  ?

[spudulike]

How about this one - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/THROAT-BAFFLE-PLATE-FOR-THE-MORSO-SQUIRREL-1410-1430-1440-/151840574656?_trksid=p2385738.m4383.l4275.c10

I fitted one of their Stovax ones, half the price and made of stainless rather than mild steel. It was a good fit and looks like it will last.

[aesmith]

I think that one's cast iron, pretty much the same as the replacement I've just fitted.  I've not seen stainless offered, the only alternative to cast iron seems to be these Hardox Replacement Baffle

 

I might try making a replacement next time if I can be bothered. I don't really like metalwork, but I know someone with a plasma cutter so could maybe get him to do the cutting.  I think it would need to be 6mm steel, and I wouldn't be able bend it so the angle would have to be a welded join.

[Macpherson]

Hi, the one mentioned is made of chrome iron and should be better than the cast iron original, well worth a punt at 30 quid.

But if you want to make one.. any small engineering fabricator would be able to bend a steel plate for you and then you'd only need to tack a couple of lugs onto it at the back... but I doubt you'd do that for £30, not to mention your time.    cheers