Elmacho's Mini Build(s)!
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Re: Elmacho's Mini Build(s)!
Excellent, thanks for the detail again. I am enjoying watching your build.
- Elmacho
- Big Time SmokerBuilder
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- Joined: June 28th, 2014, 9:03 pm
Re: Elmacho's Mini Build(s)!
It has been a long week of regular life getting in the way of getting this first one finished. But I made some progress. Sheet Metal is no longer an issue, or a concern. I have figured out how to weld it and it is no longer scary. It involves a lot of little tiny welds. even smaller than tacks. I am going to record a video when I skin the chute door.
This week has been filled with the trials and tribulations of cutting and welding 45s. I think I wasted 2 sticks worth of square tubing trying to get the chute doors acceptable. I think I have it figured out now, but unfortunately it prevented me from having this smoker done this weekend as I now have to wait until Monday to get a couple sticks of tube.
I did however get a jig made and the ash box frames turned out pretty good.

I was then able to produce flat frames that when stacked on top of another frame, would show some resemblance of actually being able to seal and be air tight.
Skinned it with the new sheet metal process and this is the product of hundreds of trigger pulls.

*** Helpful Hint ***
Square tubing has a welded seam on it. Ensure when you are cutting your steel, that you keep track of that seam, and that you plan on that seam never being on a face that you are going to weld when it comes to these frames. That face of the tube is uneven and makes for a hell of a time grinding smooth. In fact some tube you cannot get smooth.
In the end, I got it ground down, marked and drilled for the Rivnuts and welded the Hinges on. I originally planned on the door being removable, but after welding the hinges in place I realized I did not leave enough space between the hinges to remove the door.

With the door ready to be permanently attached, I decided to work on getting the firebox cavity insulated. My concern was that I would put insulation in the frame opening, weld the skin on, and then the insulation could work itself out of the frame after years of use. I decided to add a little flat bar to the openings to serve as a back stop for the insulation.

This will also allow us to stuff any trash around the shop into that cavity... just kidding... maybe. Almost like a Time Capsule.

Another thing that got in my way this week was a trip to Discada Nirvana. I picked up a plow blade and hope to start a Discada build soon. =)

Well enough craziness for today. Time to get washed up and take the wife out for a date night. I guess I will have to buy a Pork Butt this week though. It is nearly time to break this bad boy in.
This week has been filled with the trials and tribulations of cutting and welding 45s. I think I wasted 2 sticks worth of square tubing trying to get the chute doors acceptable. I think I have it figured out now, but unfortunately it prevented me from having this smoker done this weekend as I now have to wait until Monday to get a couple sticks of tube.
I did however get a jig made and the ash box frames turned out pretty good.
I was then able to produce flat frames that when stacked on top of another frame, would show some resemblance of actually being able to seal and be air tight.
Skinned it with the new sheet metal process and this is the product of hundreds of trigger pulls.
*** Helpful Hint ***
Square tubing has a welded seam on it. Ensure when you are cutting your steel, that you keep track of that seam, and that you plan on that seam never being on a face that you are going to weld when it comes to these frames. That face of the tube is uneven and makes for a hell of a time grinding smooth. In fact some tube you cannot get smooth.
In the end, I got it ground down, marked and drilled for the Rivnuts and welded the Hinges on. I originally planned on the door being removable, but after welding the hinges in place I realized I did not leave enough space between the hinges to remove the door.
With the door ready to be permanently attached, I decided to work on getting the firebox cavity insulated. My concern was that I would put insulation in the frame opening, weld the skin on, and then the insulation could work itself out of the frame after years of use. I decided to add a little flat bar to the openings to serve as a back stop for the insulation.
This will also allow us to stuff any trash around the shop into that cavity... just kidding... maybe. Almost like a Time Capsule.
Another thing that got in my way this week was a trip to Discada Nirvana. I picked up a plow blade and hope to start a Discada build soon. =)
Well enough craziness for today. Time to get washed up and take the wife out for a date night. I guess I will have to buy a Pork Butt this week though. It is nearly time to break this bad boy in.
- Big T
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Re: Elmacho's Mini Build(s)!
It definitely won't be long before it's puffing smoke. 

Measure Twice.....Cut Three Times.
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- ajfoxy
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Re: Elmacho's Mini Build(s)!
Nie build and good narration. 

Learning generally boils down to "Repetition or the avoidance of pain", some people learn by doing, some by watching and some just have to pee on the electric fence.
Whether you think that you can, or that you can't, you are usually right. Henry Ford
Whether you think that you can, or that you can't, you are usually right. Henry Ford
- Rodcrafter
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Re: Elmacho's Mini Build(s)!
Very cool
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........
- temurf
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Re: Elmacho's Mini Build(s)!
Nice work.
Almost ready for Q-view.
Almost ready for Q-view.
Yer gonna like what we've been smokin'.
- Elmacho
- Big Time SmokerBuilder
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- Joined: June 28th, 2014, 9:03 pm
Re: Elmacho's Mini Build(s)!
With all this talk about a new and improved double pan, I gotta get to work on finishing these Mini’s to make room.
Got all the skins welded on time to build the CC Door and the Chute door and Frame.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Got all the skins welded on time to build the CC Door and the Chute door and Frame.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
- Rodcrafter
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Re: Elmacho's Mini Build(s)!
What ever motivation you need, just get er done. You will be glad you did. And hey if the new style tempts you, you can always send one of those mini cabinets down here.
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........
- Elmacho
- Big Time SmokerBuilder
- Posts: 184
- Joined: June 28th, 2014, 9:03 pm
Re: Elmacho's Mini Build(s)!
Very true!Rodcrafter wrote:What ever motivation you need, just get er done. You will be glad you did. And hey if the new style tempts you, you can always send one of those mini cabinets down here.
Making memories!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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- has a junk pile that will one day smoke LOTS of BBQ
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Re: Elmacho's Mini Build(s)!
Well done awesome build and thanks for your patience in explaining your build. I just bought plans and hope to start my build soon.
- Elmacho
- Big Time SmokerBuilder
- Posts: 184
- Joined: June 28th, 2014, 9:03 pm
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- has a junk pile that will one day smoke LOTS of BBQ
- Posts: 69
- Joined: October 5th, 2015, 9:39 pm
- Title: Member
- BBQ Comp Team Name: Not competing yet...
- Location: UK
Re: Elmacho's Mini Build(s)!
Thanks I will do. The dxf files did you just give it to them and they cut everything for you to I ncluding he firebox.
I’m in the UK
I’m in the UK
- Elmacho
- Big Time SmokerBuilder
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- Joined: June 28th, 2014, 9:03 pm
Re: Elmacho's Mini Build(s)!
I had the chute and firebox cut by laser out of Florida. Then I found a guy local with a plasma table and gave him the dxf file.