Tyler
You answered my question while I was writing it.
Here is how I removed the arch. somewhat crude. Maybe you have a better way
Arch removal
The removal of the arch is a simple but tedious job. The arch is a very hard stainless alloy which is about an inch wide and 1/32” thick. It is too hard to drill through and not accessible enough for a Dremel cutoff tool. It can be cut with a bi-metal fine tooth hack saw. I used a medium blade here as that is what I had at the time. The blade is too thick to fit in the space so I split it in half. I used a cutoff blade on my Shop smith but a Dremel will work too
![Wood Automotive tire Gas Auto part Bumper]()
Here is the blade after trimming. I trimmed both sides so I could try it with the cut on the push and the pull. I found that the push worked best for me. You will only have short strokes at the tip of the blade. The cut off on the left was to remove a portion with worn teeth and expose fresh ones.
![Fluid Liquid Water Rectangle Font]()
I wrapped a couple of paper towels around the blade as a make-shift handle
![Rectangle Pattern Font Fashion accessory Linens]()
Here the arch is being cut. The dark grey arch is on the right and the cutting is seen on the left of it. At this point the cut is about ¾ down and the saw blade is just above the bottom of the cut. The white on the left is the paper towel handle.
This is very hard material and with the limited stroke clearance it will take about a half hour to cut through so don’t get discouraged.
![Hood Automotive exterior Bumper Automotive wheel system Gas]()
And here is the firebox with the arch gone
![Office equipment Motor vehicle Bumper Gas Automotive exterior]()
You answered my question while I was writing it.
Here is how I removed the arch. somewhat crude. Maybe you have a better way
Arch removal
The removal of the arch is a simple but tedious job. The arch is a very hard stainless alloy which is about an inch wide and 1/32” thick. It is too hard to drill through and not accessible enough for a Dremel cutoff tool. It can be cut with a bi-metal fine tooth hack saw. I used a medium blade here as that is what I had at the time. The blade is too thick to fit in the space so I split it in half. I used a cutoff blade on my Shop smith but a Dremel will work too
Here is the blade after trimming. I trimmed both sides so I could try it with the cut on the push and the pull. I found that the push worked best for me. You will only have short strokes at the tip of the blade. The cut off on the left was to remove a portion with worn teeth and expose fresh ones.
I wrapped a couple of paper towels around the blade as a make-shift handle
Here the arch is being cut. The dark grey arch is on the right and the cutting is seen on the left of it. At this point the cut is about ¾ down and the saw blade is just above the bottom of the cut. The white on the left is the paper towel handle.
This is very hard material and with the limited stroke clearance it will take about a half hour to cut through so don’t get discouraged.
And here is the firebox with the arch gone
