REPAIR OF A BAKER BURNER PLATE

Dick Olivier

The old burner plate was popping back so badly that it would not run on the left nozzle. I offered to patch the old burner plate with an insert to replace the broken slotted section in the left side of the burner plate. After removing the broken slotted section, it left a hole about 7 inches long. I milled out and cleaned up the casting area to accept an insert. I used mild steel to make the insert. I milled the shape of the existing cast iron into mild steel and fitted for height and width, (See sketch) to fasten onto the burner plate.

To mill the slots, I needed a long arbor to hold .023 thick slitting cutters. I made this up from a scrap piece of shafting. The slitting saw was pretty flimsy; the first slitter blade exploded after the 3^rd slot. I had to make large washers to support the thin slitting blade, the supporting washer worked well. They kept the saw from flexing.

I cut about 15 slots and took it out to compare with burner grate. They matched real well, so I setup and finished cutting .023 slots

After finishing the filler insert piece I fastened it to the casting with #6 screws.

It should last until a new plate arrives; meanwhile we'll install the repaired burner in the Stanley Omnibus and go for a ride.

Editors note: The photos were taken with a Polaroid without the ability of close focussing.

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