Rocket Stove Mk II / TLUD — Full Article + Laser Patterns (DXF & Print) — GamerzCrave
SHTF-COOK TLUD STAINLESS

Rocket Stove Mk II / TLUD — Stainless Square-Tube Core + Pot Skirt + Chimney

Packs into itself, cooks on twigs, and burns clean when run right. Top-lit updraft gasifier core (TLUD) inside a rugged, field-serviceable shell.

What You’re Building

  • Core: 4″×4″ (102×102 mm) stainless square-tube TLUD canister with primary-air grate and a preheated secondary-air ring for clean flame.
  • Pot Skirt: stainless ring with a controlled 11–15 mm gap around the pot for high efficiency.
  • Chimney: 1 m detachable 4″ round stainless flue + spark arrestor screen.
  • Packable: chimney nests; skirt clamps flat; spare fuel can fits over core.
TLUD = top-lit; air from below; pyrolysis zone moves down; hot secondary air burns wood-gas at the top for low smoke.

Specs (target)

FuelTwigs/pellets, dry biomass (≤3 cm dia)
Power~1–3 kW (load & fuel dependent)
Core304 SS, 1.6–2.0 mm wall (16–14 ga)
Skirt gap11–15 mm (12 mm default)
ChimneyØ 100 mm × 1 m, SS, spark screen
Weight~6–8 kg assembled

Bill of Materials (Parts to Buy)

Metals & Core

Square tube (core)304 SS, 4″×4″ (102×102 mm), length 330 mm, wall 1.6–2.0 mm
Square sleeve (air jacket)304 SS, 5″×5″ (127×127 mm), length 160 mm, wall 1.0–1.6 mm
Perforated grate304 SS plate 2–3 mm, Ø6–8 mm holes, 35–40% open
Top plate304 SS sheet 1.6 mm, with pot-support tabs (3–4 pcs)
Pot skirt304 SS sheet 0.8–1.0 mm, ring height 120 mm + standoffs (12 mm)
ChimneyØ100 mm SS flue, 2× 500 mm nesting sections + clamp
Spark arrestor304 SS woven mesh, 3/8″–1/2″, cap ring & clamp
Insulation (opt.)Bio-soluble ceramic fiber blanket, 10 mm (upper jacket)

Hardware & Misc

FastenersM5/M6 SS bolts & nylocks; SS pop rivets 3.2 mm; fender washers
Air sliderSS angle + 1.0 mm sheet; two M4 screws in slots
Legs/base3× SS angles or tripod base plate (folding)
Handles2× spring SS handles
ToolsSS-capable saw, drill/step bit, riveter, files, clamps, PPE

Avoid galvanized steel in the hot gas path (zinc fume hazard). Use stainless in flame areas.

Cut List

ItemQtySize (mm)Notes
Core tube (4″×4″)1102×102×330Deburr; fuel canister
Grate plate196×96Ø6–8 perforations, ~40% open; sits 20 mm up
Primary air ring1102×102×20 (strip)Intake frame for slider
Secondary jacket (5″×5″)1127×127×160Preheats secondary air
Top plate1130×130Center cut-out 105×105; tabs for pot rests
Pot-skirt sheet1360×120Roll to ring; 11–15 mm pot gap (12 mm default)
Skirt standoffs412×20×1 (L-tabs)Sets 12 mm gap
Chimney sections2Ø100×500Nesting, spark screen cap
Legs/feet325×25×250Angle stock, removable

Printable Diagram (SVG)

Print at 100% (A4/Letter). Dimensions in mm.

Front View — TLUD Core + Secondary Jacket + Pot Supports 4″ sq core Perforated grate ~20 mm up 5″ jacket (preheat) Ø3–4 mm jets Pot tabs 330 Side View — Pot + Skirt + Chimney Pot (Ø≈260) Skirt height ~120 11–15 mm gap Ø100 chimney + spark screen

Assembly — Step by Step

  1. Prep & Deburr. Cut the 4″ square tube to 330 mm. Deburr. Mark a line 20 mm up from bottom inside wall for the grate ledge.
  2. Grate. Cut a 96×96 mm SS plate, drill Ø6–8 mm to ~35–40% open. Add tabs so it rests on the ledge.
  3. Primary air slider. Cut a window (~90×20 mm) 10 mm above grate line. Fabricate slotted slider plate with handle; mount on M4 screws.
  4. Secondary air jacket. Slide 5″ square sleeve (127×127×160 mm) over the top; seal at top; bottom open. This preheats secondary air.
  5. Secondary jets. Drill Ø3–4 mm holes on three inner faces, ~15 mm below rim, every 10–15 mm.
  6. Top plate & pot tabs. 130×130 mm plate with 105×105 mm cut-out. Add 3–4 tabs (10–12 mm tall) for pot supports; bolt to jacket.
  7. Legs / base. Bolt three SS angle legs; leave 20–30 mm clearance below for primary intake.
  8. Pot skirt. Roll 0.8–1.0 mm sheet to ring giving 12 mm pot gap (11–15 mm window). Rivet 3–4 standoffs. Clamp ring concentric on pot tabs.
  9. Chimney & screen. Fit two Ø100×500 mm sections; cap with spark screen (3/8″–1/2″ mesh) under top cap.
  10. Handles & pack-down. Spring handles on sides. Nest chimney; fuel can slides over core for transport.

Operation (TLUD mode)

  1. Outdoors only, 3 m clear radius. Attach chimney + spark screen. Skirt on; pot ready.
  2. Load dry fuel loosely to the top. Thin kindling on top. Open primary air 50–100%.
  3. Light the top. After 1–2 min, blue flames at jets; adjust primary air for bright flame, low smoke.
  4. Set pot on tabs; drop skirt to maintain the 12 mm gap. Chimney vents fumes up.
  5. When flame weakens near end, remove pot briefly and either quench biochar or dump to a metal tray to cool.
Safety: outdoors only. Carbon monoxide is deadly; never use fuel-fired stoves indoors or in enclosed spaces. Keep water/sand and a fire extinguisher on hand.

Quick Fuel & Cook-Time Estimator

Energy in fuel (MJ)—
Useful heat (MJ)—
Cook time @ power (min)—

Assumes dry wood ≈ 16 MJ/kg (lower heating value). Reality varies with moisture & draft.

Laser-Cut Patterns (DXF Export + SVG Preview)

Material & notes: 304 stainless — top plate 1.6 mm; skirt 0.8–1.0 mm. Deburr. No galvanized in hot path.
Preview should show: Top Plate 130×130 with 105×105 inner; Pot Skirt 360×120 with seam holes and standoff holes. Units = mm.

Pattern A — Top Plate

130×130 outer, 105×105 inner, 4× Ø5.5 holes, plus four 20×12 mm pot tabs.

Pattern B — Pot Skirt (Flat)

360×120 panel, seam overlap 10 mm; Ø3.5 seam holes; Ø5.5 standoff holes at x=60,150,240,330; y=60.

Print Sheet — Cut List + Notes

Cut List (mm)

ItemQtySizeNotes
Top plate1130×130, inner 105×1054× Ø5.5 (M5)
Pot tabs420×12Rivet to plate or skirt
Pot skirt (flat)1360×120Rivet seam; roll to ring
Skirt standoffs4—L-tabs to set 12 mm gap

Assembly Notes

  • Deburr edges; dry-fit to confirm 12 mm pot-skirt gap.
  • Use SS rivets/bolts; anti-seize on threads.
  • Center-punch holes before rolling the skirt.
  • Confirm your pot diameter; adjust skirt width if needed.
Safety: outdoors only; hot edges; eye protection; no galvanized sheet in hot gas path.

Sources & References

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