A friend of mine just happened to emtnion to em today that he had an old black iron pot belly stove sitting in his shop and it is going to be mine tomorrow. My shop is 15' x 24' so space is tight but I dont think I can resist the idea of having a fire out there. The question is.. how to make it safe and not take up too much space.

I have a concrete floor and plywood walls and so far I am thinking that I will sit the stove on a flagstone set in mortar on the floor and place another flagstone vertically behind it (3' wide x 5' or so tall) or make a copper surround that is furred off the plywood wall with metal studs by at least 2".

I can make either at little or no cost so neiter is an issue and I just got a Hot Dawg (to be up and running as primary heat source this Sat) so the stove will be purely for fun. Hope there are some pics out there for me. I will post as soon as I get the thing in my sweaty hands.

Thanks in advance.

Ben