Saerimner, The Stovebelly Pig

So, as an apprentice smith, I have just spent the last few weeks at school making a project of my own design, and I decided on a pig themed portable wood stove. Here it is on the last day of building, during its very first test burn.

Day 1

On the first building day I got almost everything all cut up, be it with a saw or laser, and my pipes rolled and welded. This picture was taken at the end of they day, and I was testing to see that it could all fit inside. What use is portable camping equipment if it can't be packed down into a nice compact bundle?

Day 2

At the end of day 2 I had gotten all the round steel sawed up, the runic name plaque bent, and the pig nose/air intake welded on, as well as the ears shaped. Most importantly though, I got the leg holders on, so that it could actually stand level. They were a pain to get at the right angle, as I had no flat surface to measure against, and thus took half the day.

Day 3

Day 3 did not see much progress. I managed to bend the frames for my pot surface, and I started welding the cross going bars to the swivel pipe. Once completed the bars will be able to either be placed out to the sides to provide a flat-ish surface to put pots or pans on, or to be flipped up, and act as the handle for transportation.

Day 4

On day 4 I finished welding the supports together, and made a start at welding on the attaching points. More importantly though, I got the chimney pipes deformed to the point were they could overlap, and make a proper chimney.

Day 5

Fully assembled and ready for action!

Once again, with some distance to show the tall smokestack.

Showing of the flank.

Closeup of the plaque. It says Saerimner in elder futhark. Saerimner was the name of Odins mythical pig, who was fed to the heroes of Valhall every evening.

Burn baby

Can't make a stove without test-firing, right? My little project caused a bit of a stir among my classmates, hence the crowd of work-booted feet. A small pot was hastily assembled to see if it could boil water.

Nothing yet...

Lo and behold! It boils!

Finally home

All packed up, I realized I had a distinct lack of bananas in the house, so I used my hat for a sense of scale. All in all I am very pleased with my project, and I may make more in the future. This one will be a Christmas present for my dad.

Guinea pig tax?

Sadly, I also had a distinct lack of cat at home, so this is one of my guinea pigs. Her name is Flicka, which means "girl". I rock at names.