Hi Bruce; The photos max sent you are called the "matt walker 1/2 barrel system" .Using barrels instead of pipe to transfer your heat. Cut the barrels in half lengthwise , cut off all but a small part of what's left from the lid . With an 8" system matt told me that I could put a max of 6 barrels end to end. This creates a huge area for heat to collect. There is also no
ash build up issue. Last barrel in line, if necessary, he slides his chimney up & down to compensate for a cold start . I'm planning on using this set up in my shop. A solid clay brick surround placed between two bays
should make snow melt off the vehicles and give me a warm place to set parts & tools oh and my butt while I ponder how to fix the darn thing! Using a 6" pipe to connect your 8 vertical barrels may give you draft issues. And I wonder if those exposed barrel tops wouldn't suck your mass heat away sooner. Also do you really want to look at 8, 55 gal 1/2 barrels in your house ?