Long time fabricator First time smoker builder!

jlaudio29 · Newbie Joined: 09 Sep 2009 Posts: 68

Hello im new to the board, been browsing for a few weeks now.

I have been welding/fabricating for a while now, almost 10 years.

My last job i was at i received 2 55gal drums, so im going to make 2 smokers.

Im going to complete the first one and see how the design goes and if i need to make some changes on the second one i will.

here are the pics of the build let me know what you think!

by the way the dates on the pictures are extremely inaccurate i dont have the date correct in the camera Smile

These are the two main tools in my arsenal! Plasma cutter makes life so much easier Smile

i started out on oxy ace and it wasnt bad i was good at it.. but plasma is the tits!:

Let me know what you think, more pics to post tm.

mrcustomsteel · Posted: Sep 09 2009 Post subject:

Looking good. Nice welds on that thin material.
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BluzQue · Posted: Sep 09 2009 Post subject:

Nice lookin' build you got goin' there mrcustomsteel Very Happy

Your years of welding/fabricating really shows in the pics. Keep us posted.

Cool

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mrcustomsteel · Posted: Sep 09 2009 Post subject:

I can't take credit for this one, BluzQue. Our new friend, jlaudio29, is rockin' on this build.
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D. Tillery
Texan transplanted in Billings, MT
www.mrcustomsteel.com

jlaudio29 · Newbie Joined: 09 Sep 2009 Posts: 68

thanks for the compliments on the welds, ive been mig welding for about 8 years now, mabe more. Tig welding for almost as long but it is definitely not required for this job!

I used to have to weld air tanks inside trunks of cars so i got my fair share of thick to thin welding Smile

I have a question for anyone who reads this thread, i need some advice on what to use to paint the grates? or do i just use the same high temp rustolium type stuff or is there something special?

darylcincy · Posted: Sep 09 2009 Post subject:

Paint the grates with peanut oil or some kind of veg oil.
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UDS

day_trippr · Posted: Sep 09 2009 Post subject:

seattlepitboss · Posted: Sep 09 2009 Post subject:

What did you cut that drum with, and how much did the sheet metal warp? Actually, what gauge is that drum? Many drums are 18 gauge, some are 22 gauge, and a few are 16 gauge.

Nice work, surprised you'd throw all that effort into a drum! Old horizontal air tanks or propane cylinders are often available for token pricing ($50 or so) and make great smokers.

Please keep posting pictures!

seattlepitboss

Tom C · Posted: Sep 09 2009 Post subject:

Very nice work and nice looking smoker! Cool

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Homemade offset smoker 24"x48"
Charbroil CB900 grill

jlaudio29 · Newbie Joined: 09 Sep 2009 Posts: 68

Thanks for all the compliments

And TOM C i must thank you for your spreadsheet calc, that saved me so much time and guess work since this is my first build! if not for you i probably would have made the firebox to small and the fire to cooker hole to small as well! no they are spot on if not a smidge over. thanks again.

Seattlepitboss: First are you really a PB? As far as the gauge im not to sure. I used my plasma cutter to cut the door, there was not warpage that i can tell but the drums were a little dented and dinged when i got them. Im not a fan of using cut off disc especially when i have a beautiful plasma cutter Smile

it took me longer to mark out where to cut then it did to actually plasma it out Smile

Kudos to anyone that gets those propane tanks and uses a cutting disc to open them!

As far as putting the time into the drum, ive never looked for a propain tank and i know we dont have any excess pipe in my neck of the woods laying around for me to grab. The drums i got for free, and for some reason i hate the idea of a UDS sitting on my back patio it just wouldnt look right, no offense to those that build them, but my fabrication skills extend way passed a UDS and i love to build things. So yah thats why i got the 55 gallon drums. Smile

Question back at you, were you refering to the warping that occured while welding the thick to thin?

purplewg · Posted: Sep 09 2009 Post subject:

jlaudio29, my first ever homemade was this exact design. I still have it all though I am getting ready to scrap it. It served me well and cooked some really good food over the years.

One problem I had was I had no tuning plates initially and I had to keep rotating the meat end to end. I eventually put a diverter plate running the length and it really helped. I would still put the longer haul meats closer to the firebox.
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jlaudio29 · Newbie Joined: 09 Sep 2009 Posts: 68

I was thinking of going with a diverter and slats like im seeing on a lot of builds seems to be a good way to spread the heat evenly.

Do you have pics of your diverter design?

jess · Posted: Sep 09 2009 Post subject:

That is some real nice fab. work. Are you putting a grill on top of your firebox?

purplewg · Posted: Sep 09 2009 Post subject:

jlaudio29 · Newbie Joined: 09 Sep 2009 Posts: 68

Jess, yes that idea is stirring in my head!!! i really think im gonna go with it.

purple: no design is bad as long as it gets the job done, function > fashion

k.a.m. · Posted: Sep 10 2009 Post subject:

jlaudio29, Welcome to the ring. I look forward to seeing some pics of your cooks Smile

I am already enjoying the pics of your cooker build. You my friend do exceptional work, and I look forward
to following your progress. Smile

Here is a pic of my diverter and plates in my 24'' by 36'' cooker they work well in holding even temps.

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Tom C · Posted: Sep 10 2009 Post subject:

jlaudio29,

Thanks, and I'm glad the calculator helped! Like k.a.m. said, "exceptional work", I too look forwad to seeing her cooking for you.
_________________
Homemade offset smoker 24"x48"
Charbroil CB900 grill

jlaudio29 · Newbie Joined: 09 Sep 2009 Posts: 68

Ok so i did a little more work on the smoker today.

First i would like to show you some of me precision tools that i sometimes use.

Ok so here are the progress pics. let me know what you think about my diverter. i have no put the rails in there yet, im gonna think over night how i want to handle the ripples in the drum, they prohibit me from laying a piece of angle flat on the drum.

Still got so much more to do, but i cant wait to cook on it.

Teleking

jlaudio29 · Newbie Joined: 09 Sep 2009 Posts: 68

I no longer have a vcr, not for quiet a few year now, but if i had one youd more then likely be correct, my dvd player does no have a clock, the cable box has one but its auto set, and my alarm clock radio is auto setting as well Smile