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[U.P. Doug]

Did not have enough time last year to fix the infamous cracks in my ridgewood the right way, so I ended up welding them up from the outside and inside. Stove ran fine last winter, but cracks came back so I decided to do a better fix. I cut the door frame out with a plasma cutter, then cut the 3/16 steel out that was the front of the firebox that is 36” inside diameter. I purchased a 3/8 thick, 37.5” round plate for 100.00 and cut the door opening in it today with a plasma cutter leaving radiused corners. I welded the door frame back on the 3/8 new front as well as the angle iron for the siding. I have the boiler all clean and ready to weld the new plate to the front of the firebox tomorrow inside and out. Hopefully this will fix the cracking issue and I can get a few more years out of this boiler.

[tinfoilhat2020]

Sounds like that should do the trick

[U.P. Doug]

I hope so. Got it all done, insulated the front tonight and got the siding back up. Hardest part was getting my 6’5” 60 year old body inside the boiler to weld the upper part. Really felt my age at the end of the day. I took some pics and will try to post them in the near future.

[U.P. Doug]

Some pics

[U.P. Doug]

More pics.

[intensedrive]

Looks good wish I had the skill you have, if I spring a leak in done.  Keeps us posted