Couple of other things to keep in mind...

Don't forget to put some heat resistant material on the wall behind the stove. I used one of those metal mats/shields you put on the floor under the stove for mine, it worked fine.

Did your stove come with a fan kit or was that extra? They aren't hard to install and can help moving air around the stove. We had one on our second stove. With the first one, we just put a cheap metal box fan on top of it to circulate air.

Also, I would recommend that you avoid burning Hedge/Osage orange in the stove. With just one good stick thrown in the fire was enough to turn our stove to a dull cherry red. I'd be afraid to see what a firebox full would do.

i am gonna get some heat shield type things, one for the wall and one to sit the stove on. i did not get the blower. didnt see the need and if i decide i need it ill order one.
and i know not to burn hedge,osage,sycamore its a great way to burn your house down. but ya gotta admit those lumbers will start a fire like no other.

and ive got a massive supply of downed oak timber and and wood i cut and split last year.

i like your idea with the shop vac. im gonna set it up this weekend. ill let you know how it turns out.

alright got everything in and hooked up last week. lastnight i ratcheted it up, to see what the stove could do. it was about 90 with the fan on and i could have really let her go if it were colder. the only thing i didnt like was the stove smoked while it cured which was a headache, but after 3 days of fire, no more smell.
ive been gettin up about 5 throw a log on and by the time i get around about 6-30a the house is low 70. by the time i leave at 7-30 its about 75-80 before i crank her down and throw another log on.

thanks for the help pastor. im super happy about how everything turned out.