I'm just mucking about trying to figure things out on my own - THANK YOU for the free video and tips. While some of the your critics have offered helpful information, I wish they all did in the helpful vein you've offered. Because the impetus to post helpful vids for those of us who benefit is greatly decreased with such pot-shots!
Thanks Guys from here in Toronto, Canada. Your video has enabled me to take apart my neighbours prefab fireplace panels to use on my own (same model) fireplace. Both are 25 years old just that I use mine many times a year and they've used theirs 3 time in their lives. So great video and just don't tell my neighbour that I stole his panels. (kidding, he died last night) (Ok still kidding. He's about to rip his out and regain the space. SO I will take the parts for future replacement and so they don't go to landfill) Cheers
No offence but if I was that homeowner I would have been shocked to see the back panel not match, both in color and how you cut it. Thanks for the effort to show us how to do it though.
If I did this myself, wouldn't it be prudent to replace the sides as well with the leftover panel you cut the back panel from (assuming there was enough)? Thanks for the video! When I do this, though, I'm going to wear ear protection over my hearing aids. Thanks again!
That was an amazing hack job from start to finish. Final product looks like hell. Agree with so many others, how in the world do you not center it and replace side panels at same time.
thanks, it's something I need to do soon. Please wear breathing protection, no dust is good for you but fireproof stuff always seems particularly irritating.
Bravery is working in the fireplace industry while wearing white. Being skilled in your trade is working in the fireplace industry while wearing white. Thanks for the tips guys!
Thank you for posting this. I have the exact same problem but dealing with a TEMCO fireplace which apparently went out of business. Can you guys cut a back refractory panel to order with the model number? the one i have has gaps between the sides, would it be better to be just a little wider than the way it is now?
Hi there! I'm so thankful I came across your video tonight. Do you have a shop in or close to Montreal (Canada)? My fireplace has exactly the problem you solved in your video. I called a few companies to try get the refractory block panel changed, but they all want to sell a new complete fireplace box and chimney to me for between $12 - 15,000 when all the box needs are the refractory block panels. I always had a strong feeling I don't need to put all the money they are asking for on getting my fireplace working again. I will be so happy if you aren't far from my location to change just the panels. Please let me know. Thanks and have a nice day
If it's like the crappy firebox I have , there seems to be a bracket that secures it to the floor piece, making it impossible to remove before the sides and back are first removed.
Is there a trick to easily placing down the new floor panel? it feels like the bubbled out metal behind the prefab kind of catches it and I’m afraid to force it
Leaving the wide border at the left edge makes this job look awful and amateurish. Why didn't you cut the end off so at least the fake mortar lines would be even?
No need to. That lip is hidden by the right 🤚🏼side panel. Notice it was exactly as wide as the panel is thick. Almost like it was meant to interlock. If anything I'd question why booth sides don't need that level of fit. You'd think it would protect against rogue embers escaping the firebox.
When you make the sequel, throw a little light into that fireplace. Couldn't see a thing until the final two minutes, and even then it was still a pretty dark hole.
Hey, you said do the same thing in the " other side" but the other side have the gas connection. Would u mind to show that ? Also I don't have to replace anything. But I move to this house and the left panel ( my left) the one that has the gas connection is out of square? Will u say? It's like it slipped away and I have 1/2 centimeter gap between that panel and the back panel. I've been using the chimney like that for one year ( I just realized about that in summer )
If you look closer, it's the same cut panel. They just rotated it probably so the new backwall panel would fit down in between the metal firebox wall and the floor panel.
I know this is an old video, but 2 things bothered me about it. One, why didn't you remove the log holder in the first place since you know you're replacing it and it was in the way of trying to remove the panels? Two, why didn't you cut the back panel to be at least symmetrical? The way it's cut, I wouldn't be happy paying a professional to just have it cut and left like that. Doesn't look good.
Yup. I got a replacement panel and it says on there to wait 24 hours to allow it to reach room temperature, and then do 3 small burns for about 30 minutes.
I know not to buy from you guys. You forgot to center the pattern on the back panel. If I was you guys I would delete this video and do this job right. No customer would want the back panel cut like that. It looks like rookies did the work.
Great tutorial except for one thing... It looks like crap! One should expect to be a little more esthetic with the brick face pattern than just slapping up cut panels, depending if you care how the finished product looks.
Wow that looks like shit, never centered the rear panel when you cut it. I would have sold a whole set of panels to match properly. What a piss poor job!
+Tim Zurawski Some people can not afford to replace all panels. When you live on a budget you do what you can afford. Anyhow, its a FP not like it will stay white.
Lol, so many things not considered with safety and cleanliness. No one explains the requirements of the manufacturer or of any codes. They don't even try and show how to center the brick pattern so that it looks good. Looks like shit.