On Fri, 4 Jun 2004 21:31:01 +0100, "Robert Irwin"
catfishpcAThotmailDOTcom wrote:

Thanks for ideas - hadn't really considered metal up till now as was a bit
worried about conductive properties firing shedloads of heat straight onto
the bits where it connects to wall - I'm sure its overcomable with a bit of
clever insulation though. Will add metalworkers to list of possibles though.
thanks.

Hi,

Try a fireplace specialist (not necessarily a 'showroom') and ask them
about it. You can get 'firebacks' which are precast out of the right
material eg:

http://www.lionheartheating.co.uk/site_01/html/o_fireback.shtml.

If you want something special it might be possible to cast it out of
fire cement or refractory cement or make it out of fireblicks. Metal
might not hold up under the heat of a coal fire plus it may radiate
too much heat to the wall behind it. Another option might be a solid
fuel stove.

Which leads to followup question - how do I go about blacking whatever I put
up to make it look like smokestains? Or do I just get a load of old soot and
rub it on?

AFIAK you can get stove polish for this, again it should be available
from a fireplace specialist eg:

http://www.hotline-chimneys.co.uk/ancillaries_stove_grate_polish_info.htm

cheers,
Pete.