Fireplace Grate Modification??

[CrystalRiver1]

Hey Studs!

Current grate is about burnt up and done. The pictured grate was a gift from my uncle and is perfect...except the legs are 2 inches too to fit inside.

I've considered grinding them off, heating it up and bending them inward, or taking a pipe wrench and muscling em into submission!

What is the safest, easiest and least expensive method to make this thing functional?

 

[Woodwackr]

4 1/2” Cut-off wheel or sawzall

 

[Lnk]

I agree, cut off wheel or saws all. Unless you have oxy/acetylene. Measure twice, cut once.

 

[CrystalRiver1]

What series or type blades for sawzall on this type of metal?

 

[Woodwackr]

What series or type blades for sawzall on this type of metal?

They make specific metal cutting blades

 

[Sloughfoot]

Good reason to get an angle grinder. Once you have one you'll wonder how you survived without it.

 

[WI_Hedgehog]

You could clamp one leg in a bench vice with the grating facing out towards you, heat up the desired bend point until it's red hot with MAPP gas, then lean on the the grate and it should bend. The result of bending four legs will be a bit off, but a thin cutoff wheel on an angle grinder (or a bit more bending) will rectify that. If you cut it the burr can be removed with a file or flapper wheel.

 

[brads]

Hey Studs!

Current grate is about burnt up and done. The pictured grate was a gift from my uncle and is perfect...except the legs are 2 inches too to fit inside.

I've considered grinding them off, heating it up and bending them inward, or taking a pipe wrench and muscling em into submission!

What is the safest, easiest and least expensive method to make this thing functional?
View attachment 433624View attachment 433625

Unquestionably, the best way is to heat and bend them. Don't grind/cut them off. This would lower the height of the grate and slow down/impede air from readily flowing underneath and supplying air to your fire. You could try bending them cold with a big pipe wrench, or whatever but I think you would find it very difficult and there's always the slight possibility of a leg breaking off because cold metal doesn't bend well. Good luck!

 

[Sloughfoot]

Unquestionably, the best way is to heat and bend them. Don't grind/cut them off. This would lower the height of the grate and slow down/impede air from readily flowing underneath and supplying air to your fire. You could try bending them cold with a big pipe wrench, or whatever but I think you would find it very difficult and there's always the slight possibility of a leg breaking off because cold metal doesn't bend well. Good luck!

Agree. Myself and some others may have misunderstood that it was too tall. Definitely bend them in to narrow it, then cut them off if you think it's too tall. The steel these are made of should take a cold bend.