my neighbor inherited it and he is tickled.Smurf wrote:Nice jobWhat are you doin with the old one?
Welduns mini build
- Weldun
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Re: Welduns mini build
Grandma always said "if ya can't be handsome ya better at least be handy"
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Re: Welduns mini build
If it looks better than the pic then it must be incredible because it looks damned fine to me!
I like the old one too!

I like the old one too!
If it's tourist season, how come I can't shoot 'em?
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Re: Welduns mini build
That's is freaking nice ....
If you can't fix it by sheer force or cursing......then it can't be fixed.....
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Re: Welduns mini build
Always nice to have happy neighbors. Seems like I just have to fire up the smoker and they get happy, but it's all fun. 

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Re: Welduns mini build
That looks freakin wicked dude!! I love the paint job. 
The old smoker is cool, I love the monster truck tyres, but the new GF is definitely an upgrade.

The old smoker is cool, I love the monster truck tyres, but the new GF is definitely an upgrade.

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Re: Welduns mini build
Thanks fellas
Grandma always said "if ya can't be handsome ya better at least be handy"
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Re: Welduns mini build
The last piece (maybe) is completed, I added an ash pan with a removable handle and in true Rodcrafter form I didn't skimp, it's made of 1/4" steel and weighs 10 pounds. Hoping to cook something this weekend, good or bad I'll post some pics.
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Last edited by Weldun on May 5th, 2016, 9:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Grandma always said "if ya can't be handsome ya better at least be handy"
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Re: Welduns mini build

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Re: Welduns mini build
Not sure yet but hoping to find out soon!Elmacho wrote:how often does one have to empty the ash pan on a Mini?
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Grandma always said "if ya can't be handsome ya better at least be handy"
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Re: Welduns mini build
Very nice!
Making memories.
Making memories.
Current Smokers: Backyard RF Offset and Hybrid RF Offset trailer rig with Cowboy cooker and fish fryer, always room for more........
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Re: Welduns mini build
Brilliant work dude, I am going to make an ash pan, & now I think I will be adding a removable handle. 

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Re: Welduns mini build
Nice!
If it's tourist season, how come I can't shoot 'em?
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Re: Welduns mini build
Finally cooked some butts on my mini today which will bring this thread to a close, I am very pleased with the performance of this smoker. I fired it up this morning with an outside temp of 37*F,cooked 4- 8# butts for 9hrs and used about 2/3 of a chute of charcoal. Now it's just a matter of experimenting and getting experience, thanks to all who followed my build, gave feedback and compliments.
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Last edited by Weldun on May 9th, 2016, 3:39 pm, edited 3 times in total.
Grandma always said "if ya can't be handsome ya better at least be handy"
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Re: Welduns mini build
Oh baby, that looks sweet as dude!
It's been my pleasure to watch you & see how to do mine the right way. I seriously can't wait to get mine fired up when I finish it, I'm so pumped to get it done & it all thanks to your thread.

It's been my pleasure to watch you & see how to do mine the right way. I seriously can't wait to get mine fired up when I finish it, I'm so pumped to get it done & it all thanks to your thread.

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Re: Welduns mini build



If it's tourist season, how come I can't shoot 'em?
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Re: Welduns mini build
I keep coming back to this thread because I love all the details.
A couple questions. Do you find that latch will hold the door closed tight enough that it doesn't leak? Can you also tell me what size rod fits in that coil for the chimney and charcoal chute door handle?
A couple questions. Do you find that latch will hold the door closed tight enough that it doesn't leak? Can you also tell me what size rod fits in that coil for the chimney and charcoal chute door handle?
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Re: Welduns mini build
Your pit looks awesome!
What are your thoughts on a frameless version?
This is another smoker I'm working on, but a friend of mine wants a stumps clone. I was thinking of building it frameless.

What are your thoughts on a frameless version?
This is another smoker I'm working on, but a friend of mine wants a stumps clone. I was thinking of building it frameless.

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Re: Welduns mini build
So far the latch has been spot on, the design of the latch is such that the harder you shut the door the tighter it seals. As far as the round stock size I took a piece of 3/8", chucked it in a drill and used a 4 1/2" angle grinder with a cut-off wheel and turned the last 1/2" down until it fit. Crude but effective that's my M.O.Michael303 wrote:I keep coming back to this thread because I love all the details.
A couple questions. Do you find that latch will hold the door closed tight enough that it doesn't leak? Can you also tell me what size rod fits in that coil for the chimney and charcoal chute door handle?
Grandma always said "if ya can't be handsome ya better at least be handy"
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Re: Welduns mini build
Thanks, as far as the frameless design I think it could be done but consideration would have to be given to all variables and expansion and contraction not to mention the "furnace" part of these things can be quite substantial weight wise. I would probably be more inclined to minimize the amount of framework, the average weekend fabricator doesn't have a press brake at their disposal so that's probably the reason for the popularity of frameworks. Just guessing
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Re: Welduns mini build
Thanks for the feedback.
I have 4 pits in line b4 I get to this one. I will put more thought into it. Maybe just reducing the amount of framework would be some weight advantage.
I have 4 pits in line b4 I get to this one. I will put more thought into it. Maybe just reducing the amount of framework would be some weight advantage.
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Re: Welduns mini build
I did a quick estimate and the amount of tubing in my mini build probably weighs 65#DunnSmoke wrote:Thanks for the feedback.
I have 4 pits in line b4 I get to this one. I will put more thought into it. Maybe just reducing the amount of framework would be some weight advantage.
Grandma always said "if ya can't be handsome ya better at least be handy"