1st Build Attempt

[Grems4Ever]

Took the smoke chamber off the frame so I could close up the open ends to the square tubing and start the support for the firebox.



No comments about the trashed garage. My little smoker project has just about out grown the space I have in there. Once I start assembly, it will have to stay outside because there will be no wrangling in and out of the garage then. I'm also planning on painting most of the frame while it is still somewhat easy to move around. I'll leave the places where I know I'll be welding alone until after welding.

I'm seriously considering doing a final mock-up using racket straps and jack-stands to hold everything in it's respective position so I can make the final firebox supports. Once that is done, I can take both tanks off the frame to make painting the frame that much easier.

[Dirtytires]

Nothing wrong with a mock-up. Just take into account the extra time and effort that will take and compare against the benefits.

[Grems4Ever]

It's about the only way I'm going to get the measurements right for the firebox supports so it's well worth the time & effort. I'd rather take the time to do it right than to have to do it over again.

[Big T]

[Dirtytires]

sounds Like a plan then....you might try a few tack welds as it might be easier, in some situations, than all the clamps and straps. Easy to cut out as well.

[Grems4Ever]

sounds Like a plan then....you might try a few tack welds as it might be easier, in some situations, than all the clamps and straps. Easy to cut out as well.

I'll probably use a combination of both. There are just some things that go so much smoother with a healthy tack weld or short bead.

[Grems4Ever]

Quick mock-up for measurement purposes. So far, the components are lining up like they are supposed to.

[Big T]

It's great when it works out just as planned

[Grems4Ever]

Especially when that's something that doesn't happen that often with my projects. LOL

[Rodcrafter]

Looks like some good work.


Making memories!

[Grems4Ever]

Sorry friends. There's been no further progress on the smoker lately. My 76 year old father has had some health problems that have had everyone hopping lately. When I have had some down time, the weather has been terrible.

[Rodcrafter]

No problem.

We hope things calm down and everyone is ok.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Grems4Ever]

I finally made it out to make some progress on the smoker. It's now one single unit rather than a bunch of loose pieces held together with ratchet straps and jack stands. I managed to run out of wire just as I was touching up a couple of welds, so I started to load the 10 lb. spool of wire when the spindle adapter broke. I've got another one ordered, but all work has come to a stop. It's now too cumbersome to get in and out of the garage, so now its outside wrapped up in a tarp.

[Grems4Ever]

Braving the high humidity & heat to make some progress on the smoker. So far I have the firebox grate done, leveled out the cooking chamber handle, and installed the thermometer. Still to go are handles for the firebox & air control door, cooking grate, chimney & chimney cover, and plugging a 2 1/2" hole in the cooking chamber.

[Dirtytires]

Little at a time.....be patient.

All the setbacks make build character in a smoker....something a “bought” smoker lacks.

[Grems4Ever]

Little at a time.....be patient.

All the setbacks make build character in a smoker....something a “bought” smoker lacks.

Ain't that the truth. All that's left now is the cooking rack & the chimney. Rack will be easy, but I'm not looking forward to cutting the hole for the chimney. I'd give my eye-teeth for a plasma cutter about now.

I'll get pictures up this evening...

[Grems4Ever]

Just as I was getting ready to have another go at it, I got hit by muscle cramps and decided to throw in the towel. Here's where I'm at...

[Big T]

[Rodcrafter]

Oh yeah


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Dirtytires]

You may be able to rent or purchase a large hole saw for a resonavle price.

[Grems4Ever]

I hadn't thought about that. I'll have to look into it...

[Grems4Ever]

After a couple of hours of bumbling around with a cutting wheel on a die grinder, a jigsaw, and a 4" grinding wheel, I have a chimney.



Just in case anyone was curious on what it originally started out life as...



Once I get the parts for the rack cut out, I'll burn everything together at the same time and be ready for a test firing.

[Big T]

Nice

[Grems4Ever]

First burn in going far better than expected. It came up to temp quickly and it’s been holding 300 degrees for almost an hour with the firebox air control at about half throttle. There’s really no major adjustments to be made and the only issue I need to address is redesigning the firebox door handle.



Next weekend will be the first cooking run on it. Needless to say, I’m one happy camper.

[Dirtytires]

Great job. Congrats on a sucessfull first burn.

My advice is not to load it up full or have company over for the first cook. It adds too much stress. Ribs are a great...they cook in about 5 hours and are fairly foolproof.

Also keep in mind 300 degrees is a bit high for smoking and it is typically much harder to keep the temp down in the 225 range. Think small fire....really small.