View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
smootz BBQ Super Fan
Joined: 12 Nov 2011 Posts: 451 Location: Kitts Hill, Ohio
|
Posted: Sep 19 2012 Post subject: Started a 180 gallon RF today |
|
|
Finally caught enough of a break in the shop to start another cooker.
It will be 180 gallon classic style RF.
Got a good start today. Flushed and cut.
DSCF0611 by jsmootz, on Flickr
DSCF0615 by jsmootz, on Flickr
This is what was left over. Kind of torn about what to do with it. Another propane pig would be money in the bank but I am thinking of a Super Sized WSM clone. ????
DSCF0618 by jsmootz, on Flickr _________________ 150 gallon vertical
propane pig
180 RF |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Mahoney86 Newbie
Joined: 04 Sep 2012 Posts: 50
|
Posted: Sep 19 2012 Post subject: |
|
|
Looking good! Going to be one nice sized cooker.
I need to find me an old LP tank to start a winter build |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
smootz BBQ Super Fan
Joined: 12 Nov 2011 Posts: 451 Location: Kitts Hill, Ohio
|
Posted: Sep 22 2012 Post subject: |
|
|
Changing the order of the build somewhat this time. I've gotten tired of standing on my head and crawling into tight spots.
Some jigs may help future builds go faster/easier.
A couple of "spiders" are self-centering and hold the diameter.
DSCF0621 by jsmootz, on Flickr
Rails are going in before the RF plate and ends for easy weld access. This may bite me but we'll see.
DSCF0620 by jsmootz, on Flickr
I also rotated the tank to get the fittings towards the rear. I will put plugs in them and leave them for all the world to see. Welding them up chances warping the door opening. Been there / done that.
BTW - This is my forth tank cut with no door warp. Shhhhhh - Don't tell Murphy! Either I am VERY lucky or my rescue saw is kinder/gentler than a torch. Not bragging, just thankful. _________________ 150 gallon vertical
propane pig
180 RF |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
k.a.m. BBQ Mega Star

Joined: 12 Dec 2007 Posts: 26020 Location: Southeast Texas.
|
Posted: Sep 22 2012 Post subject: |
|
|
Gonna watch this close cause there is a real good chance when you weld on the end plates and cut the wagon wheels loose the tank is gonna go North, South, East, and west on you. Shhhhh..... Can you say Murphy at its best. _________________ Always remember slow and steady wins the race.
Hybrid Cooker |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
smootz BBQ Super Fan
Joined: 12 Nov 2011 Posts: 451 Location: Kitts Hill, Ohio
|
Posted: Sep 22 2012 Post subject: |
|
|
Yeah, I know it's a gamble but I'm hoping that the four rails and my one piece fitted RF plate will stabilize everything. The "spiders" are actually not welded. The tank was really very concentric and I just put them in for that last 1/16" of perfection. Most machinists are O.C.D.
Stay tuned - No guts, no glory.  _________________ 150 gallon vertical
propane pig
180 RF |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
k.a.m. BBQ Mega Star

Joined: 12 Dec 2007 Posts: 26020 Location: Southeast Texas.
|
Posted: Sep 22 2012 Post subject: |
|
|
Count your hairs now Brother. A lot o heat is fixing to happen on those end caps. Good Luck.
Oh wait there is always Tadpole gaskets.  _________________ Always remember slow and steady wins the race.
Hybrid Cooker |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
smootz BBQ Super Fan
Joined: 12 Nov 2011 Posts: 451 Location: Kitts Hill, Ohio
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
k.a.m. BBQ Mega Star

Joined: 12 Dec 2007 Posts: 26020 Location: Southeast Texas.
|
Posted: Sep 22 2012 Post subject: |
|
|
smootz wrote: | And Bolts!  |
Hahahahah.. Yep.  _________________ Always remember slow and steady wins the race.
Hybrid Cooker |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
smootz BBQ Super Fan
Joined: 12 Nov 2011 Posts: 451 Location: Kitts Hill, Ohio
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
smootz BBQ Super Fan
Joined: 12 Nov 2011 Posts: 451 Location: Kitts Hill, Ohio
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
davefan360 Newbie
Joined: 01 Sep 2011 Posts: 69
|
Posted: Sep 27 2012 Post subject: thanks for the tips |
|
|
my buddy and I our going to do our first build this fall/winter. i will be watching this as you go on. I like the good photos |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
SmokIan Newbie
Joined: 21 Jun 2011 Posts: 47 Location: Flatwoods, KY
|
Posted: Sep 27 2012 Post subject: |
|
|
Looking very awesome so far! I have a tank I am thinking of cutting in half & making 2 beastly smoky mountain clones from. Interested to see your work on this RF though for sure. _________________ Weber Summit S650 Gasser
WSM 18.5
Pro BBQ Excel 20 (triple stack)
Chargiller Smokin Pro
Offset Build In Progress:
DPish Offset |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
smootz BBQ Super Fan
Joined: 12 Nov 2011 Posts: 451 Location: Kitts Hill, Ohio
|
Posted: Sep 27 2012 Post subject: |
|
|
Davefan360[/u] - Thanks. My goal on this one is simple and durable. It will cook 10 butts each week for the rest of it's life.
SmokeIan - Super Weber! That may be what happens with the drop from this tank. Dang man, you only live about 10 miles from me there in "Billy Ray" land. _________________ 150 gallon vertical
propane pig
180 RF |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
smootz BBQ Super Fan
Joined: 12 Nov 2011 Posts: 451 Location: Kitts Hill, Ohio
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Logtrucker BBQ Fan
Joined: 28 Mar 2010 Posts: 366 Location: Dallas,Or
|
Posted: Sep 28 2012 Post subject: |
|
|
Its lookin good Scottie cant wait to see how you finish it  _________________ A 500 gal. R.F. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
smootz BBQ Super Fan
Joined: 12 Nov 2011 Posts: 451 Location: Kitts Hill, Ohio
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
daddywoofdawg BBQ Super Pro

Joined: 22 Jul 2008 Posts: 3892 Location: Starkweather,ND
|
Posted: Oct 05 2012 Post subject: |
|
|
So do you have a break for that RF plate, and a waterjet to cut those ends so round? _________________ Good BBQ is all smoke and beers!
The Dawghouse Custom vertical Gasser
Custom Made offset smoker
Char grill smoker
Weber kettle |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
smootz BBQ Super Fan
Joined: 12 Nov 2011 Posts: 451 Location: Kitts Hill, Ohio
|
Posted: Oct 05 2012 Post subject: |
|
|
daddywoofdawg wrote: | So do you have a break for that RF plate, and a waterjet to cut those ends so round? |
I do have a brake for the RF plate but sometimes I farm out the longer ones to another shop because I need a wider bottom die to do it right. Forming it eliminates a lot of weld. Likewise I bend some of the firebox parts as you will see when I get farther along.
Sometimes I burn the circles by hand and sometimes I rig a tether to an antique radiograph.
DSCF0653 by jsmootz, on Flickr _________________ 150 gallon vertical
propane pig
180 RF |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
smootz BBQ Super Fan
Joined: 12 Nov 2011 Posts: 451 Location: Kitts Hill, Ohio
|
Posted: Oct 07 2012 Post subject: |
|
|
Made some firebox parts today. 24 x 24 x 26 is just barely over the ci called for on the calculator. Going to go simple this time with a square box, single door, and free standing grate. Luckily I got everything out of a 48" x 96" with enough left for the door.
DSCF0685 by jsmootz, on Flickr
daddywoofdawg - Here's the brake I use. With only 65 tons and a 72" bed it is limited. I have dies to do about anything with 3/16" and down but a full bed of 1/4" is too much without getting a wider (and expensive) bottom die. It does fine with these shorter lengths of 1/4".
DSCF0683 by jsmootz, on Flickr _________________ 150 gallon vertical
propane pig
180 RF |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
smootz BBQ Super Fan
Joined: 12 Nov 2011 Posts: 451 Location: Kitts Hill, Ohio
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
|