Got a tank ( update 2-22-08 pics)

[JoeD]

Well guys, here on my neck of the woods in Ct the landscape remains white, blistering cold winds every other day on top of that and all my days off are pretty much phucked!
Yesterday however was an exception, still white **it on the ground but warm, a whopping 47 F degrees!!! Hey, I was off from work…. and it wasn’t freezing, perfect weather to strip the paint off the o’l tank, three hours in to it I had all the majority done:



Today was nice, sunny and blue skies, at coffee time the temps were around 14 F degrees, no wind but! the white **it was still there. I had one thing in mind, I wanted to move my tank/smoker on top of its trailer and bring it into the garage, I had one little problem…I was by myself and I do NOT own a crane.

Before I continue, I must say that this is a tricky task and it could be dangerous so good planning, rigging skills and common safety orientation are the key.

After rolling the tank on to the frame the fun begun, I had to move methodically and very slowwwwwwly, step by step:


The blocks are properly positioned:



Using the 2x6x8 for leverage:



Got it leaf spring on:



Hey, the wife arrived just in time for a pic I used a piece of 6" scl 40, PVC pipe to dry fit the stack:



In the garage...finally



Next week's task is to build the fire box, and on and on... stay tuned!


February 21-08

I was off from work and made some progress on the smoker, went to the steel warehouse for some angle iron, square tube, expanded metal and flat stock.

Fired the HH 187 and got the stack in place; 30 inches above the cooker and 5.5” above the bottom cooking tray:





One pass; a full ¼ bead … love my welder:



Since I lack of hoisting equipment, this is how I got the firebox together; one piece at the time…alone, I wont attach the cooker to the frame until I finish welding the fire box:



More to come next week...

Joe

Update 3-20-08



Been working on the “torpedo” on and off, an hour here and there…the kids have pitched in a few hours too. The cooker is still unattached to the trailer, I have to jack her up, paint the frame, suspension, clean and repack the ball bearings… all that will be done well after the first dry run/seasoning, I’m itching LOL.





Here’s a shot of the fire box damper before the first diverter tuning plate already welded in place:



The stack damper; ½ rod and two ½ collars, the stack top is cut with a 2 degree angle to facilitate opening and closing.



Here’s a rear view; the hatch on top needs a handle and finish touches, I’ll be nice to grill a couple of steaks before the long cookouts



Today I completed the fire box air intake damper; this shot shows minimum air intake, it starts at one 1/16”; one1/8” and 3/16” openings:



Another shot: fully opened.



First smoke coming up soon...

My project

[Smoke on the Horizon]

Now that was quite a project to get that tank on that trailer without any help.

Nice job and looks like now you can get on with the build and keep the pictures coming.
_________________
Team Enoserv

[Tom C]

Joe,

That's coming along great! You gotta be happy with how it going so far.
Keep the pictures coming too.

[Smoke Daddy]

Very cool! Thanks for posting pics
_________________
Low and slow that is the tempo!

Homemade horizontal offset
Kingsford kettle
professional warming oven converted to bradley biscuit burner (current project)

[BBQMAN]

Nice job Joe!
_________________
BBQMAN
"I Turned A Hobby Into A Business".
Providing "IMHO" Since 2005.

[tonyg]

Nice!

[fastcat]

i recognize that welding cart from welding web. nice to see it in use.

[JoeD]

Update:

[coal miner]

JoeD I admire a guy that makes do with what he has to get the job done !! Looking good man. wish these old bones would lay a bead down like that,but thats what they make 4 1/2 " grinders and 1/4 "paint. Kidding aside, looks more than just getting the tank in , are you going to use tuneing plates ? Have'nt worked on mine, had the dern ole flu , 4 days worth, but did finish up the cooking grates today. Keep us posted.

[JoeD]

Thanks Coal Miner

Yeah, a man's got to do what...

Just a couple of years ago I would have my two boys helping me on any project, nowadays is pay back time, all they want is fun...matter of fact I just go thome from driving my 23 YO son to Logan Airport for his week trip to Europe, 5 frigginn hours driving to, and 4 hours home under some serious white **it spell (snow storm here in CT)...Just got home

At any rate, I'm going to use tuning plates, as you can see the third pic from the bottom shows some of them...

[Brinnie]

Great Job Joe, Keep the progress Pic's Comming
_________________

Cheers
Smoking
Down Under