First build completed...UDS (Now with the polish!!!)

mtrammel · Last edited by mtrammel on Sep 04 2009; edited 6 times in total

Began a new build tonight. Been collecting parts for a while...came across 10 55 gallon drums recently and you guys advised UDS so thats the direction I'm headed. Only get a small window on week nights to work on it so 1 thing at a time. I had hoped to get an ash tray and coal basket built and put together. I did but due to a rookie mistake that I dont want to discuss...I will be doing some rework on the ash tray later. Luckily, I err'd to the side of too big so correcting will be ok.
That said, I used a weber coal grate and added some 1/4 steel bar to the bottom to close down the slits...need a couple more pieces, have to pick up another section tomorrow...

So here's where a short night got me...aiming to cook in this this weekend, but given the height of the grass and this weeks rain, may only just get it done.

material prep...
weber grate and 3/4" #9 flat approx 10" tall

ash tray from 16ga sheet cut square, removed corners and bent into tray

used a cheater bar to bend it

started shaping basket...used a grill's propane tank to get the curve started on the expanded...trick I learned from one of you guys posts

finished basket

the drum that will be elevated to smoker status.

_________________
Chargriller Offset
Bass Pro XPS propane 60k BTU Grill
Stainless Fish Fryer
UDS

k.a.m. · Posted: Aug 05 2009 Post subject:

mtrammel, I am impressed Very Happy

I love the cheater bar you are learning fast, great ingenuity. Your basket looks fantastic. I look forward to some more updates. Very nice work indeed Smile

_________________
Always remember slow and steady wins the race.

Hybrid Cooker

mtrammel · Posted: Aug 06 2009 Post subject: k.a.m.

K.A.M.
From you that means alot to me...really admire the work you do. Thanks!
_________________
Chargriller Offset
Bass Pro XPS propane 60k BTU Grill
Stainless Fish Fryer
UDS

erniesshop · Posted: Aug 06 2009 Post subject:

Great Work....That Cheater Bar Is Great !

BigErn · Joined: 04 Aug 2009 Posts: 2

Man,
I'm learning all kinds of stuff,never seen anyone bend plate with a cheata pipe! Laughing

Gota try that!
Ernie

stringbender128 · Posted: Aug 06 2009 Post subject:

Nice work!
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Peoria Custom Cookers 24x48 Backyard Cooker
Weber Genesis S-330 Gasser

mtrammel · Posted: Aug 06 2009 Post subject: thanks

All, Thanks for the feedback...havent had time to work on it since... and I'm waiting on a new toy to arrive...ordered a plasma cutter and now I just dont look at the saw or angle grinder quite the same. Need to correct the ash tray oops but man will that go smoother with the plasma.

I really appreciate the feedback on the cheater bar. I felt stupid once I cut the corners out of that sheet and realized just how strong sheet metal could be...and I looked stupid jumping up and down on that thing trying to bend it, wacked it with a hammer, considered cuttung the wings off and welding them up...then it just hit me. It worked well, but left the edges curved...I'm going to fashion another now that I know it works with 2 pieces of angle back to back with a gap between them for the sheet metal ...welded to a handle. Would allow the entire length to be bent at once giving a straight side as the end result...
_________________
Chargriller Offset
Bass Pro XPS propane 60k BTU Grill
Stainless Fish Fryer
UDS

mtrammel · Posted: Aug 09 2009 Post subject: progress

Started with this for afternoon snack

corrected my oops on the ash tray and welded in the feet

In the process of correcting the ash tray, (given that I have ten drums) I needed a better cheater bar(s).
So here are the finished cheater bars...gives a much cleaner professional bend than my original and a smaller one for fine tuning.

While this tray was done, heres the basic idea...the elbow allows the bend to exceed 90deg so it will rest at 90deg

Tray finally meets the coal basket

Once welded up, its dropped in the drum for a test fitting...SUCCESS!

Air Flow and mount the grill to go...
_________________
Chargriller Offset
Bass Pro XPS propane 60k BTU Grill
Stainless Fish Fryer
UDS

k.a.m. · Posted: Aug 09 2009 Post subject:

mtrammel, thats some awesome work Very Happy

I like your utility bars, I have a wall full of them. Thats the great thing about fabrication, if you don't have it make it. Very Happy

Your tray and basket came out fantastic, your on your way to some fine cooking. I will be watching for more pics.
_________________
Always remember slow and steady wins the race.

Hybrid Cooker

mtrammel · Posted: Aug 10 2009 Post subject: FIRE!

Well, the first build is complete as far as the fabrication goes�its currently got a burn out fire going in it so still have a final scouring and a first cook to go, but its functional.
Have had the temp up to 600 and its held there about an hour�just closed of the vents to check if the temp will come under control.
So for the pics�
Unfinished intake�

Finished intake with handle

Close up of intake

Unfinished smoke stack

Finished smoke stack

Entire drum

New handle on the basket

New FIRE

Grill seasoned up

Fires lit�time to watch and see

Heres what I see (smoke on the side is burning paint) Its running between 550 to 600 intenal with all vents wide open. Threw in some various chunks of wood I'd culled from food duty for effect!

The drum burned thru the night and went to bed with it at 230 and got up this am with it at 210...still has coals left. Overall a good first run. Paint is ready to flake off so painting and polish is next
_________________
Chargriller Offset
Bass Pro XPS propane 60k BTU Grill
Stainless Fish Fryer
UDS

k.a.m. · Posted: Aug 12 2009 Post subject:

mtrammel, your first build looks awesome Smile

You my man are becoming quite the fabricator congrats on a job well done. Very Happy

_________________
Always remember slow and steady wins the race.

Hybrid Cooker

purplewg · Posted: Aug 12 2009 Post subject:

Good work mtrammel.

Is that brown sugar rub on that roast? You may already know this but you need to be careful with that or you will end up with a caramelized brick. Laughing

I am curious to see the finished piece (food).
_________________
The Wild Pig build.
My UDS Build.

Don't squat with your spurs on.........

RLane22 · Posted: Aug 12 2009 Post subject:

nice looking build mtrammel. Waiting to see the outcome of the food you prepare on this build.
_________________
Randy

Slow Down and take the time to enjoy the good things in life.

1st build

2nd build

mtrammel · Posted: Aug 13 2009 Post subject: Paint and shelving

Got the paint ground off and gave it a first coat of hi-temp paint. Cut an framed the shelf and plan to get it attached either tonight or tomorrow. Going to use expanded metal for the shelf. No pics this time, it was black paint againt pitch black darkness...not very pretty.
_________________
Chargriller Offset
Bass Pro XPS propane 60k BTU Grill
Stainless Fish Fryer
UDS

mtrammel · Posted: Aug 13 2009 Post subject: Thanks

Appreciate all the very kind feedback guys.
Plan to light it up this weekend.
Thanks!
_________________
Chargriller Offset
Bass Pro XPS propane 60k BTU Grill
Stainless Fish Fryer
UDS

purplewg · Posted: Aug 13 2009 Post subject:

I'm sure you will be happy with the food that comes off of that. You really did think it out and you did a real nice job on it.
_________________
The Wild Pig build.
My UDS Build.

Don't squat with your spurs on.........

mtrammel · Posted: Aug 16 2009 Post subject: Final update...calling this one done.

Framed up some shelves and added the expanded for the shelf. Note the overlap on the right

Used my new toy to remove that overlap...

Finished UDS with shelves and added thermo...ready to cook later this evening.

_________________
Chargriller Offset
Bass Pro XPS propane 60k BTU Grill
Stainless Fish Fryer
UDS

erniesshop · Posted: Aug 16 2009 Post subject:

Awesome Job !

k.a.m. · Posted: Aug 16 2009 Post subject:

mtrammel, awesome cooker build. Very Happy

I like the shelf, the wrap around was a great idea. Nicely done. Smile

I look forward to seeing the first cook pics.
_________________
Always remember slow and steady wins the race.

Hybrid Cooker

mtrammel · Posted: Aug 16 2009 Post subject: Thanks

erniesshop and k.a.m.,
Thanks.. I have had a blast getting into this. Everyone's input here makes it possible to really cut the learning curve down. Thanks for posting your builds, they were part of the inspiration that lead me to start down this path. No regrets.
Thanks!
Funny thing is, I just came to the Ring to better my BBQ. Now its some expensive Q! Worth every penny though.
_________________
Chargriller Offset
Bass Pro XPS propane 60k BTU Grill
Stainless Fish Fryer
UDS