Bringing Century-Old Wood Stoves Back to Life

Out in Blayney, in the Central West of New South Wales, Justin Press has carved out a unique niche. A full-time sheep and cattle farmer, Justin has quietly been building a reputation for something few people attempt, and even fewer master: restoring antique wood-fired stoves to better-than-new condition.

His entry in Edcon Steel’s annual project competition is a perfect example of this craft in action.

A Farmer and a Restoration Specialist

Justin’s story starts in the welding trade, where he spent more than 30 years honing his fabrication skills. Although farming now takes up most of his time, that deep technical background remains at the core of his restoration work.

“I had a welding business for years,” he explains, “but I’m just too busy on the farm now. The restoration work is something I do alongside it.”

His connection with Edcon Steel dates back to when the Bathurst store first opened. Over time, he built a strong working relationship with the team.

“I’ve been dealing with Edcon ever since they arrived in Bathurst. I’ve built up a rapport with the guys there (Tom and the team) . They’re great to deal with.”

Justin didn’t set out to become a stove restorer. Like many great projects, it started with curiosity.

“About six or seven years ago, I bought an old stove. It was pretty clapped out, but I’ve always been interested in old, turn-of-the-century antiques,” Justin explains.

The Art of Restoration

Each stove that enters Justin’s workshop undergoes a complete transformation. These aren’t minor repairs, they’re full-scale rebuilds.

“The first thing I do is strip the stove completely. Every nut and bolt comes out. I take it right back to nothing and then rebuild it from scratch.”

After decades, sometimes even a century, of use (or disuse) most original materials are beyond saving.

“Usually all the sheet metal is gone. It’s rusted out after 100 years. So I replace all of it with new steel,” Justin explains.

This is where Edcon Steel plays a critical role. Justin sources the bulk of his materials, particularly sheet metal, from the Edcon Steel Bathurst store.

“I get all my sheet metal from Edcon. It’s reliable, and I know I can get what I need when I need it.”

“And things like drill bits, clamps, I’ll grab them when I’m there.”

Better than the Original

Interestingly, Justin doesn’t aim to simply replicate the original stove but to improve it.

“A lot of the time, it ends up better than new,” he says. “I use thicker sheet metal than what was originally there. If it’s looked after, it’ll last another 100 years.”

For components like the hob (cooktop), he may use heavy plate steel.

“Sometimes the hob needs to be half an inch thick, so I’ll buy metal plate and fabricate a new one. You’ve got to be flexible and work out what’s needed.”

This adaptability is what separates skilled restoration from basic repair. Every stove is different, and many require custom fabrication.

“If a part is missing, I just make it. I’ll grab the steel and fabricate it from scratch.”

The Challenges: Time, Precision, and Experience

Restoring antique stoves is far from straightforward. Justin estimates that projects can take anywhere from 20 to 100 hours, depending on size and condition.

“The big ones can take up to 100 hours. But on average, a restoration probably takes around 40 hours.”

One of the biggest challenges is dealing with aged components.

“Removing bolts that have been rusted in for decades is really tough. Sometimes you have to oxy-cut them out.”

A Growing Demand for Quality and Sustainability

Justin’s work reflects a broader shift in how people think about products and materials. More customers are moving away from mass-produced goods and toward quality, longevity, and sustainability.

“People are sick of buying stuff that only lasts five years,” he says. “They’d rather pay for something well made that’ll last 100.”

“I get customers bringing in stoves their grandparents used. They want them restored so they can use them again. There’s a lot of sentimental value.”

At the same time, practical considerations are driving demand.

“Another thing I have found is that a lot of people are going off-grid. They want a wood stove so they’re not relying on electricity.”

Working with Edcon: Trust and Convenience

For Justin, working with Edcon Steel isn’t just about product availability, it’s about trust and convenience.

Whether he’s picking up steel, farming supplies like cattle and sheep panels, or workshop essentials, he knows he can rely on the team.

“I just go in, grab what I need, and get on with it. It’s easy,” he says.

That simplicity matters when balancing a full-time farming operation with a growing restoration business.

Having access to a consistent supply of quality materials is essential for his workflow. While he has the tools and equipment to handle all fabrication in-house, sourcing dependable steel is critical.

Inspired by Justin?

Explore Edcon Steel’s range of steel and metal, with custom-cut options and Australia-wide delivery. Browse our stores in Brookvale, Revesby, Blacktown, Bathurst, and Orange, or check out the full range online. With Australia-wide delivery, getting started is easy.