319. Too Hot To Handle

[@jennybailey6842]

Gosh Alan, you did have a trying time. I'm sorry you went through all of that, especially as it was so cold! But at least you had central heating! Also it kept your brain active! 🤣🤣 Well done for persevering. xx

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Thanks Jenny, all sorted out now, as you’ll see in the next vlog. I’m very active especially my brain. Take care xx

[@ralphwood5875]

Hi Alan, I've been missing in action for a few days but I'm glad to say we've got my wife out of the hospital after 51 days, actually she's at my daughters as she has far fewer steps to negotiate. I did much the same at our cottage a while back we didn't use self-adhesive rope just some with separate adhesive /sealant on the doors and after a ltrial installation took both doors off then pounded the rope with a mallet and a piece of hardwood cut to fit the rope slot, worked like a charm and have had no problems since .I hope yours works itself out soon. ,We've had a spell of extremely cold weather with the temperature dropping at night to the -35c region and in the mid-twenties during the day plus quite windy too so the danger of frostbite is a reality. Take care and stay warm. Cheers from me and Canada.

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Hi Ralph, I'm sorry to hear about your wife and hope she's much better. The ash pan door is sorted, as I have changed the 8mm rope for 6mm. The self-adhesive rope was on the glass not used for the rope seals. You shouldn't really need to do what you had to. Although mine aren't adjustable, I understand some doors have adjustable hinges to take account of the rope depth. You're the one that needs to keep warm with your temperatures plummeting. All the best, take care.

[@hobbshire9373]

Such a simple task turned into a major pain in the tush. Sorry! Thanks for sharing.

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

It has but I’ll soon have it sorted. Cheers

[@stevesrepairs5778]

Thanks Alan, it looks like a great long term job which will be good in the end. Take care and all the best. Stevie

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

You’re having a busy evening. All done and dusted now, as you will see. Best wishes, keep safe.

[@leedavies3629]

Nice one Alan you shud soak the ashpan door in a bucket of water to soften the rope up cheers 🙂🦢🦢✌️

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Hi Lee, I've tried that and it made no difference. Am going to give it a longer soak but I think 6mm rope is the answer. Cheers

[@Kat69nh]

Hi Alan thanks for sharing

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

My pleasure Kat.

[@ajbarrett857]

Alan, I hate that you had such a hard time with those doors! Lesson learned, of course, but not much fun. I would have been tempted to toss that cute little stove into the canal, but you just kept smiling! Well done! 🙂

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

I would have done but couldn't lift it. The resolution will be shown in my next vlog. Thanks for commenting.

[@manonchampagne2475]

Hi Alan you showed us that you are a patient man. think the best that you can do is buy a 6mm rope to end that struggle to get the ash door shut I have to change the rope of my wood stove too been using the stove a lot these days very cold in Québec -27 C with windchill -42C so I'll stay inside watching vlogs and making some good soup to keep warm have a nice week take care

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

It's all sorted now, you'll see what I've done in my next vlog, which I'm publishing tomorrow. You certainly do need to keep well wrapped up, all the best, keep safe.

[@davidsedlickas8222]

Ouch 😞 Such a shame Best laid plans and all that Brrr Hopefully you're not frozen up Alan .

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Not frozen, it's quite a pleasant day, I've decided to buy some 6mm rope, it's worked for others. All the best.

[@stevehoare6378]

Evening Alan, oh boy what a saga! Doesn’t it just go to show that on a narrowboat even the job which appear initially to be simple and straightforward can cause all sorts of complications. Thank heavens for central heating 🍷🍷

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Hi Steve, I think the answer is to change the rope to 6mm as confirmed by another boater who had the same issue. Just need to get it sorted now 🥂. Cheers

[@charlesxix]

I was cringing when you were tightening that clamp, expecting the cast iron to crack. Good luck with it.

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

One needs to be very careful but the wood was taking the strain. It's resolved now and I'll be reporting on the solution in my next vlog. All the best.

[@charlesxix]

@My Narrowboat Venture Good, looking forward to your next vlog. 👍

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

@@charlesxix Many thanks Charles👍

[@hughcarson6837]

Well done Allen, you ingenuity and determination will get you there.

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

I hope so Hugh, I now have a couple of thoughts in mind.

[@bobt3374]

Good morning Alan. Well that was a fair amount of work i think like you said 6mm would be the answer . Not the problem you need with cold weather. Take care & stay safe. 🍻

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Hi Bob, I've tried different ways including wetting the rope but I feel 6mm is the answer. I just need to pop out and get some. Cheers, all the best.

[@rosszs]

Looked a strggle indeed, must be different rope as a regular person would really struggle with that, great inovation to get some leverage on it though. Really enjoy the vids Alan keep them up

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Thanks for your great comment Ross, I've got it sorted now and will report in the next vlog. All the best, cheers.

[@remmiemo]

Hi Alan. I just refurbished my Morso squirrel and had the exact same issue with the 8mm rope, (also told it’s correct by the chandlers). I returned the next day and got the 6mm rope. It seals absolutely fine. A simple job for you to do yourself.

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Hi Robert, thanks so much for your comment. It’s good to hear from someone who has done the job and found the same issue I have. I have had another suggestion as well but I think the change to 6mm is the answer. Cheers.

[@jacquelineryde7339]

Wow you really persevere, hope you manage to get the door shut, all the best xx

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Thanks Jacqueline, I will get it sorted, best wishes xx

[@MrOVERANOUT]

Remember Alan. When one door closes, another door opens. So frustrating being thwarted by a bit of old rope. As they say in Yorkshire... Put t'wood in'toil. Meaning, shut the door.

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Hi Harry, that's the trouble, we need two doors to close! Actually a bit of old rope is probably the answer, mine's new!!

[@xqqqme]

Harry, your comment compels me to share this little nugget I came across not long ago: "If when one door closes another one opens, you're probably in prison." 😆

[@sandyprosser805]

Well Alan that was warming !!!! What a job that was.

[@sandyprosser805]

Sorry pressed wrong button what I found amusing was you smiled all the way through. Hopefully you will have it up and running by next video. Good luck😊

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Thanks Sandy, I'm still not quite there though.

[@steamtrainmaker]

Allan, try filling the hook a bit to hook in better the fast little look I got at it it looked big , file the slot open a bit as it on a curve . Steve

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Thanks for the suggestion Steve but I don’t think it’s a good idea to mess around with the design, these stoves have been made for over 40 years. I need to sort the rope, and 6mm will solve the issue. Cheers

[@elmarwinkler3340]

Ahh.. the joy of a "small" fix. Sitting here watching (after a "cool" night last evening of minus 32C) it reminds me of the many such repairs I tried (some succeeded!) when we had a camper home. Cheers!

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Thanks for your comment Elmar, I'll get there eventually, just not sure how at the moment. All the best.

[@martinworrall5888]

Keep at it Allan I am very confident that you will get it sorted 👍

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

I hope so Martin, got a few ideas in mind.

[@martinworrall5888]

@@MyNarrowboatVenture 👍

[@kimsmith6974]

I've replaced my rope twice on my stove myself. Easy to do just pry up the old rope and glue or in your case new on the ashpan and replace with 6mm. The adhesive I used was like black goo.I used a screwdriver to scrape up any old adhesive so the surface is nice and clean before adding the new. Good Luck.

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Thanks Kim, 8mm clearly doesn't work for the ashpan door but is good for the fire door. 6mm has to be the answer, so I will be doing as you suggest and will report further. Thanks for your comment.

[@mervynprice7009]

I am amazed. I used to work for Courtaulds as a designer. From memory these sorts of fibre's go rather limp when wet. I would get the seal ringing wet & things should be alright.

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Hi Mervyn. Thank you so much for both comments. My initial thought was to wet the rope but someone put me off doing that. So wet it and if the door closes, light a fire to firm up the shape the rope has taken. I’ll give that a go. Thank you.

[@bobx2387]

6mm diameter f/rope should do the trick I reckon. Be very cautious of G cramps and cast iron. Hope you get there. Best Wishes Alan.... Bob (Weston super Mare)

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Hi Bob, the ash pan door is now resolved thanks, as you'll see in the next episode. All the best, take care.

[@paulturner7837]

Hi Alan, that was very frustrating for you I’m sure. I admire your perseverance and the fact you kept on smiling. That spirit and determination of yours will see to it in the end 👍 Thanks for the catch up

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Hi Paul, that’s kind of you to say. I’ve had a few suggestions to resolve the issue and will let viewers know the outcome in due course. All the best.

[@mervynprice7009]

I was forgetting. Please do not forget to light the fire & dry things out to the new form that the rope has taken.

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Thanks Mervyn, I have responded to your first comment. Cheers

[@jamesfoley6555]

Thank you for sharing your trials, hope you get it sorted 🙏✝️🙏🇨🇦

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Thank you so much James, I'll get there eventually.

[@dotmenziesholden1251]

Well done for persevering, I'd have given up and gone for the smaller rope and seen if that created a problem or was, in fact, the better option. Watching you and other narrowboater you certainly have to have a lot of patience when things go wrong or need replacing.

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Thank you Dot, I’ve still not resolved the issue but have several ideas now, and will report further. Boaters do need to be resilient.

[@melplows1078]

I Alan thanks again for a nice video very interesting, good work with the G cramp better than the strap ,well take care all the best Mel nz

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Hi Mel, thanks for your comment. The strap worked well on the fire door, and was easy to fit, shame I didn't take a photo of it. The cramp was definitely better for the ashpan door. Best wishes, keep safe.

[@gingermolinero8386]

Alan your vlogs are always so interesting. I’m sorry for your problems with your fire but I admire your ingenuity. Wishing you continued health and safe travels

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Thank you so much Ginger, it is frustrating but not unexpected. I'll get there eventually. Best wishes, take care.

[@brodie2711]

I hope by this time you've managed to close both doors on your stove. You must have been disappointed not to have been able to close both doors. Thanks for sharing. Bye for now. Stephen

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Hi Stephen. It’s still not resolved but I’ve had three different suggestions for a solution, one of which is to use 6mm rope. I will report in due course what I decide to do. Hope you’re keeping well, cheers, take care.

[@eyeswideopen627]

Many. Many years ago I had same problem with my soapstone wood stove. I took a butane lighter and gentle burned the rope. Worked great

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Thanks for the suggestion, further reply on your second comment.

[@michaelhibbert4393]

You can’t leave us on the edge now Alan….we need to know when you get it sorted

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

I’ll report back Michael, when the issue is resolved.

[@umbertoyltp]

So sorry you went through that struggle. I hope eventually it works out fine.

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Many thanks, I'll get there eventually. All the best.

[@ronbearman6783]

Hi Alan Would it be possible to rub the rope down slightly with sand paper to take some surface of the rope it may do it Take care 👍👍

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

That wouldn't work Ron, it's very fine and platted, I need to get smaller rope, cheers.

[@ChrisJames1973]

Wow I have to admire your perseverance but I think I’d have gone to chandlers the next day and bought 6mm rope and changed it. There’s no such thing as a simple job is there 😮

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

It's all done now Colin, as you'll see in my next vlog. I doubt there'll be a next time but at least I'll be prepared if there is. it's all a learning curve. Cheers

[@narrowboatemerald3558]

Thanks for a brilliant vlog 😂... We need to replace our fire rope. We will be careful what size rope we get, haha... seriously though, I hope you can close your doors easily now 🙏

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

That's very kind of you to say. The fire door eased up overnight having been kept shut but is still tightish. I've heard from others that the ashpan door is more difficult. I'm still working on that but do feel 6mm rope would suffice. Good luck with yours.

[@keithl6249]

Hopefully you will have it working easier soon. Good that you have central heat to use as a backup.

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

I've got a couple of thoughts in mind, someone has made a good suggestion to ease the door rope. Cheers

[@getubelogin]

Careful how you apply pressure to that stove Alan, its made from cast iron and could crack! Unless you find a solution quickly you may have to bite the bullet and fit a diffrent rope? Best of luck Geoff

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Hi Geoff, I am being careful, that's why I've not rushed to get it sorted. I think 6mm rope is the answer. Cheers, thanks for your comment.

[@eyeswideopen627]

Note the problem is most likely at far end from the latch so if you try the butane method start there but be ever so gentle melting the rope

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

I agree Martin, it's the hinged end where the problem lies. I had thought about cutting out that piece and see what happens. I'll bear your suggestion in mind. Thanks.

[@janeabbotts]

Very disappointing result for you with the doors. Made for an interesting vlog though..;) Hopefully you will be able to fix the problem one way or the other. Thank you. Cheers.

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Thanks for commenting Jane, I will get it sorted and report further. all the best, take care.

[@trevorsbarkingmadchannel4501]

Poor u Alan. What a fiasco. I’d just say watch the hinges don’t bend with all that pressure you’re putting on them. Hope it works out. You’re very patient. Best wishes.

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Thanks Trevor, I'm still not sure what the answer is, I have heard the ashpan door is very difficult. I still think 6mm rope is the answer.

[@IJ_uk]

Won't it be easy to change that rope of the door(s). Just make sure the joint is a clean neat cut to minimise any gap. Bye for now........ ❤️

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

@@IJ_uk It should be, just need to get out and buy some 6mm rope.

[@outandabout5247]

Bit of a design flaw really. The handle should have a cam at the stove end, so when the catch engages, the more you push the handle down, it pulls the door in, if you see what I mean!

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

I understand what you're saying Jeff, the 'cam' part is on the handle, which locks in an upwards direction. There's no doubt from others I've spoken to and comments received that 8mm rope does not suit the ashpan door, though works well on the fire door. I have it resolved now, as you will see in my next vlog published tomorrow. Thanks for commenting.

[@outandabout5247]

@@MyNarrowboatVenture I'll be watching with baited breath!😉 amazing 2mm would make that difference.

[@DEmma1972]

I thought they were meant to be air tight, not atom tight lol. I would replace both with 6mm so you can enjoy your fire and not loath it

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

It's all sorted now, the 8mm was a good fit for the fire door and I've resolved the ashpan door, all will be revealed in tomorrow's vlog. Cheers

[@bearmaine]

I understand your frustration! Is it possible to remove the doors and compress the rope (mallet and chisel?) on the outline where it met the stove? I cringe at the thought of a hinge breaking.

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

The doors lift off, so are easy to remove. I have tried tamping down the rope but it bounces back. Having had the door closed for a couple of days, I had hoped that would compress it and allow it to open and shut but not so!

[@cameronmcandrew7710]

How thick was the ice?

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

I believe it was about one inch (2.5cms).

[@stephenbowker824]

My wife refurbs our door when required she says put the correct rope on. 😮

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Hi Stephen, 8mm is the recommended 'correct' rope but it is clearly too tight, so I will use 6mm, just need to pop out and buy some.

[@gegwen7440]

It is as clear as day that the rope fitted is to big (as you know) so simply replace it with 6mm before you break something.

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

I think you're right but I do have something in mind to try before doing that.

[@rdyfhi]

A subtle thin smear of grease on rope seal...

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

That's an idea, can't see why it would work though, as the rope is squishy but it's just too thick. Is it something you've tried?

[@rdyfhi]

@@MyNarrowboatVenture it helps keep the air out of the rope to reduce it fluffing back up with air and over a few compressed moments like you have been doing helps, the fibers find their home and stick by each other rather than having to be reintroduced after each compression..., it is worth a go before re roping...

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

@@rdyfhi Many thanks for that further advice. The only grease I have available is the K99 water resistant grease used on the stern gland, or vaseline, the latter would be easier. Would that be suitable. If I have to buy grease, I'd rather change to 6mm rope. Cheers

[@rdyfhi]

@@MyNarrowboatVenture i would do the K99, just use your finger Alan...

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

@@rdyfhi Thanks for that. Another viewer has had the same problem and changed the 8mm for 6mm and says it seals well.

[@anfieldroadlayoutintheloft5204]

giood vid

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Thanks Lee, hope you're keeping well.

[@arkangel13th]

Speaking of freezing, we are about to live an indecent -30 celcius friday night here in St-Jérôme ,Québec.Ca...can I trade your -4c please? 🥶

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Some coldness is crisp and cold but other coldness really bites in to the body to make one frozen. I think whilst our temperatures are nowhere near as low as yours, our cold does bite in, I can't say about Canada as I've never been but I have been to other cold climes.

[@dalerex7904]

I think your friend used the wrong size of seal rope.

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

He used the recommended 8mm rope, which I provided him with. It worked fine on the fire door but not on the ashpan door. I have now resolved it and will report on the outcome in my next vlog.

[@johanea]

The repair of those doors is a failure. It shouldn’t take days to come to that realisation. Doors, any, should close without C-clamps, ratchets or hydraulic presses.

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

It didn't Erik, it's known that replacing the rope can make the doors stiff, after all, a smoke tight finish is being sought. The recommendation for 8mm rope worked fine on the fire door but not on the ashpan door. It is now resolved and I will report further in my next vlog. Cheers.