Pot Belly Stoves Made From Truck Wheels

Pot Belly Stoves Made From Truck Wheels TIRES/WHEELS New Uses 18-4-31 "They look like old-fashioned pot-belly stoves," says Ralph Sutterby,Sterling,N.Y., about the wood-burning stoves he makes out of truck wheel rims stacked on top of each other. The two top wheels on Sutterby's stove make up the firebox which accommodates logs up to 10 in dia. and 18 in. long. The bottom wheel serves as the ashpit. There are hinged doors in both the firebox and ashpit. "Truck rims are made of high carbon steel that's resistant to heat so they won't burn out easily," says Sutterby. To make the firebox, he welds two "deep side" rims together, plating and plugging all lug bolt and tire stem holes on top. Then, he turned the bottom rim over and welded it to the bottom of the lower firebox rim, making sure the lug holes from both rims were lined up to accommodate a removeable grate which sets over the holes. He made the grate from plate steel, cutting holes in it to match the lug bolt holes. "The snug fitting ash and fire pit doors provide for an air-tight stove, making it possible to maintain a fire for 12 to 16 hours without adding wood. If I fill the firebox up at night, there will still be a bed of coals in the morning to start another fire," says Sutterby. An afterburner at the back of the fire box circulates fresh air into the fire to completely burn off gasses that might otherwise escape out the chimney. A safety ring mounted around the outside of the stove makes it easy to handle and helps prevent accidents. A 20-in. dia. model sells for $400. It also comes in 16, 22, and 24-in. models. Sutterby also offers do-it-yourself plans. Contact FARM SHOW Followup,Ralph Sutterby, 14893 Sterling Center Rd., Sterling, N.Y. 13156 (ph 315 947-5570).

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