Studio Dragon 6" Batchbox Rebuild

Hi All;
A month ago Permies staff member Gerry and I rebuilt the 7" Batchbox in my shop, affectionally known as "The Shop Dragon"
Here is a link to that thread    https://permies.com/t/181421/Batch-box-rebuild#1427346

I have just completed  repairs and improvements  on my  6" Batchbox  known as "The Studio Dragon"
Although on going testing of roof materials may require popping her top off again before winter.

All firebricks were replaced, as I am now building  batch boxes as a dry stack rather than a mortared construction.
Long all thread on the outside of the box with angle iron braces on the rear hold the bricks in place.
Constructive use of Morgan super wool protects the metal from the high heat.
The box roof  was upgraded from ceramic fiber board to a flat sheet of high heat RA330. This may be upgraded again before real winter.

Finding a suitable durable material for batch roofs has been a  project I have been playing with this summer.
I will create a thread on that subject after I come to some conclusions.

The entire outside of the box is now covered with 1.5" of #8 Morgan HT super wool.
I extended the box length to 20.5" to allow all my firewood to be the same length (apx16")
Previously, using a standard length 6" box of 17 1/4" my studio wood needed to be cut more like 14" to fit well.
I switched my riser from a 6 minute riser design to a 5 minute riser design.
The light metal surrounding the Morgan had deteriorated at the entrance to the port.
This is the same thing that happened to the Shop dragon riser.
The five minute design sits on top of the box rather than on the end, thus eliminating cutting a slot in the riser.
This will be the only way I build Batch risers in the future.
I extended the clay brick "surround" that encloses my batchbox.
I built a new larger backing plate for the door. Allowing room for the all thread to be attached.
Replaced the straight door handle with a heavier bent one to clear the surround.
I replaced the Dragon Tech quick change secondary air tube with a longer one and simply moved the RA330 stub to the replacement!
Yes, I could of just welded an extension to my original air tube but...
When you operate the premier RMH super store... why not go new!

Rebuilding/ improving RMH's during the summer months is a fine time to rebuild...
However test firing {Flying the Dragon) can be difficult at best getting started and dang hot once you get one too take off.
This makes it a bit problematical  to experiment, other than early early morning.
However  a true rocket scientist most overcome all obstacle's and minor inconvenience's to get the job done.
Smoking out the room trying to get the exhaust flowing UP the chimney ,  waves of heat  after you have a successful lift off...
Button up your lab coat , put on your goggles and get dirty.
They are just a part of the job.
 

Great build and documentation, as usual! So the threaded rod is dual purpose: holding the front/door on while also providing structure to the dry stacked fire brick?

Hey Matt;
Thank You
Yes , the all thread does it all!
Holds the bricks snug (not tight) and retains the backing plate.
I wrapped the all thread in extra super wool before blanketing the whole box.
The morgan gasket will help protect the angle iron braces from radiant brick heat.

Your dragon rebuild turned out really nice!  Thank you for sharing.

Fantastic Thomas. I really appreciate these rebuild photos!

I am wondering if you have tried kiln shelves for the roof? Up here I can get 1" x 28"x14" Kiln shelves. They appear to be similar to what hard firebricks are made from.

Nice to see all the changes in one post with lots of details, pictures and explanations.
Look forward to your findings on the various roofs  you’re experimenting with.

Nice job. Love the door.