Cowboy Cooker/Fire Pit~~Updated 5/31~~Finished

TrailerBuilder · Last edited by TrailerBuilder on Sat Jun 01 13 11:53 am; edited 5 times in total

My neighbor and great friend is heavily involved with C.A.R.E., an animal shelter/rescue. She is personally organizing everything for a huge charity event in June. It is a Polo match with of course food and some silent auction items as well as a live auction for bigger donated items. Thought about doing a trailer for the auction but wanted something a little more personable, and the event is being held at a ranch close by, so I thought a cowboy fire pit would pair up real well.

This is a very general idea of what Im thinking...sorta Laughing

Im planning a 30" pit, 18" deep. I want to have a good deep fire pit but also a swing away cooking grate and a rod across the top for hanging dutch ovens. Not 100% on the rotisserie rod yet, still debating.

Started off out in the "scrap pile". Was glad to see that Kevin didnt make off with this back in October also.

32" X 24" 3/16th rolled steel. This was a bad roll from a job at work that I was lucky enough to pick up.

I started off welding the seam up and realized why it was a bad roll. It has a terriable flat spot in it. Zoey knows its a cooker I guess, and is ready for the food to come off of it Laughing

Went ahead and cut it down from 24" tall to 18" I think the drop will come in handy for something later on the build.

Got my steel supplier on board with what I was doing, they sold me a 4'x4' sheet of 10ga hotroll for cost. My circle cutter for my plasma is set up for 24" circles, so I had to improvise a little with some square stock and vise grips.

The initial cut.

The 2nd cut. The 30" circle will be the bottom of the pit. The ring will go across the outer edge on the top.

Got the bottom tacked in and then tacked the outer ring on as well. Had to have a little "leverage" when it came down to the final few inches. I ended up cutting it down to the 30" diameter that I was after. That was enough cut off to get rid of the flat spot.

Bottom tacked in place ready to weld out.

Top 5" ring tack welded in place as well.

This is where I left it for tonight, maybe get a little more done this week, but Im afraid work has plans of me heading out of town for a few days, so it will probably not see any progress for a few days.

More to follow...
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X2 Finished Build
Disco Time
Fire Pit

GF · Posted: Tue Apr 23 13 5:38 pm Post subject:

Troy, looks like a cool project for a good cause. Very Happy

Looking forward to seeing where you go with this, I'll stay tuned. Very Happy

k.a.m. · Posted: Tue Apr 23 13 7:27 pm Post subject:

Troy the fire pit is looking fantastic. Very Happy

I see some horseshoes under the top ring for braces and looks. Very Happy

I will be watching for more pics and updates. Very Happy

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Always remember slow and steady wins the race.

Hybrid Cooker

TrailerBuilder · Posted: Sat Apr 27 13 5:36 am Post subject:

George, Thanks for taking a peek. Ill be curious where this one goes too Laughing

I think Im wanting to put to much on this build, so Im trying to get it all placed out in my head (which is scary) to make sure it all will fit and look good at the same time.

Kevin, thanks my friend Very Happy

I still havent wrapped myself up in the whole horseshoe idea, but I get where your coming from.
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X2 Finished Build
Disco Time
Fire Pit

ChuckieD · BBQ Super Pro Joined: 07 Oct 2009 Posts: 1129

Brother Troy,
First off let me say "Your fire pit is looking fantastic!"
Very cool Cool

can't wait to see her all lit up! Very Happy

The wife and I were looking at your first pic and I said "thats one like ours".
Ten minutes later I'm like hey, thats my backyard, two minutes after that... thats my fire pit! Laughing

This was all way before my morning coffee Rolling Eyes

(the backyard has changed a ton since that pic)
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SEE YA!
Chuckie D.

Big Green Egg XL
UDS build
The Old Brick Barbecue Project!

TrailerBuilder · Posted: Sun Apr 28 13 9:28 pm Post subject:

My Man Chuck, its good to see you snooping around the Ring again brother Very Happy

And thanks for the kind words. About the picture Rolling Eyes

well, you cant send me anything that isnt fair game on the Ring Laughing

Hope the family and yourself are well.
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X2 Finished Build
Disco Time
Fire Pit

TrailerBuilder · Posted: Sun Apr 28 13 10:17 pm Post subject:

Was supposed to be in Texas this weekend hanging out with k.a.m. and J.O., but work decided that I should be here instead. I did get some time Friday and Saturday evening to work on the pit. Was a good way to relieve some much built up stress and aggrevation from the day.

Kevin, brother I wont lie, I have a few horseshoe's laying around for a future project, and I tried a couple as gussets/supports...I just didnt care for it Confused

So I went with my original plan. Here the gussets are tacked in place.

Wrapped the outer strap around the ring. This is 3" x 1/8" flat steel.

All wrapped and tacked into place.

Quite some time later, but I got everything welded out, including the bottom plate of the pit. Its now sanded out and ready for some legs, which hopefully I will have time this week to add to it.

More to follow...
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X2 Finished Build
Disco Time
Fire Pit

Rinngrizz · Posted: Mon Apr 29 13 12:53 am Post subject:

Lookin good Troy. Cool little project!!
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Jason

Modified ECB
UDS

GF · Posted: Mon Apr 29 13 8:36 am Post subject:

Troy, looking good bro. Very Happy

Too bad you couldn't get out to TX., I'm sure things will come together sooner or later. Maybe another set of twin pits. Shocked

k.a.m. · Posted: Mon Apr 29 13 8:51 am Post subject:

Troy, I hated that you could not make it we would have had a blast Brother.
Your fire pit is looking awesome. Very Happy

I like your twist on the edge it is a nice finish. Horseshoes aren't for everyone. Laughing

Looking forward to seeing some legs and a dress on that darling. Very Happy

_________________
Always remember slow and steady wins the race.

Hybrid Cooker

TrailerBuilder · Posted: Tue Apr 30 13 10:19 am Post subject:

Jason, thanks man and thanks for taking a peek Very Happy

George, thanks brother. I cant tell you how bummed I am I missed this trip. Each time I talk to Kevin he remembers a little bit more and it makes me even more bummed. I know it would have been a blast for sure.

Kevin, thanks for the words my friend. We'll get together soon brother, you still got tater whiskey on the fridge, cant let that chit go to waste Wink

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X2 Finished Build
Disco Time
Fire Pit

TuscaloosaQ · Newbie Joined: 24 Jun 2012 Posts: 98

TrailerBuilder

That thing is going to be awesome I been wanting to build something like that. Watching closely so I can borrow ideas!!!!!!!![/list]

stingerhook · Posted: Thu May 02 13 6:44 am Post subject:

I wish I had that talent.
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Bass Pro R2D2
Weber Smokey Mountain
UDS (now MIA)
Square Chicken Cooker
Chargriller Barrel Grill
Stok Tower Grill

Wreckless · Posted: Sat May 04 13 8:23 am Post subject:

Dude, I hadn't been on here much so please forgive the delay. That ROCKS bud! Very Happy

That outer lip says where this is going to end. Had never seen or much less would have thought up that design. I'll be following more closely, keep it up!
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Backyarder
Smoker Grill
Trailer Rig

TrailerBuilder · Posted: Sun May 05 13 12:11 am Post subject:

TQ, thanks for taking a look my friend. I will be looking forward to seeing what you put together on your future build.

stingerhook, Thank You Very Happy

Mike, good to see you looking around the Ring again brother. Thanks for the words bro, I appreciate it Very Happy

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X2 Finished Build
Disco Time
Fire Pit

TrailerBuilder · Posted: Sun May 19 13 9:52 pm Post subject:

Finally got some time to work on the pit Saturday. Work has been crazy busy and a couple other distractions have kept me away from home for the past 3 weeks.

Darn job had me out in Vegas "working" for a week Rolling Eyes

Got the legs tacked on and capped, then welded out and sanded.

Hey Wreckless, 3 legged pit equals no wobble Razz

Used some 1" rod for the uprights.

The bracket welded up, this will hold the swing away grill.

Bracket on the rod.

The grill welded and sanded out.

Grill in place, swings out of the way easily.

The pipe that I used for the bracket is just a little oversized for the 1" rod. This lets the grill sag just a little when in place.

The little sag works perfect though, like I was hoping it would, this lets the grill be adjustable up and down and it sits in place at any height. It sits really well and solid, but I will probably put a couple holes in the rod for a pin as a safety feature to keep the grill from accidently sliding down at the worst time.

An overhead view.

I hope to get it finished up today if Im lucky. The event is in 3 weeks, but looks like the next couple weeks will be back in Vegas for work, so Im hoping to drop this off at my blasters and get it cleaned up and painted while Im away.

More to follow...
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X2 Finished Build
Disco Time
Fire Pit

GF · Posted: Sun May 19 13 10:15 pm Post subject:

Troy, the pit is looking fantastic. Very Happy

The first pic of the grate on there, makes the grate look like it's all warped to h@ll, but the other ones show it much better. Wink

If you need a assistant for work, lemme know, I think I'm qualified. Laughing

lantern · Posted: Sun May 19 13 10:53 pm Post subject:

Looks great!

And I'd like to thank you for how you're posting with time elapsed pics and commentary with each one. It makes it flow like a story should. Informative and enjoyable.

k.a.m. · Posted: Mon May 20 13 7:46 am Post subject:

Troy, very nice work my Friend. Very Happy

The fire pit is coming along nicely I will be watching for some more updates. Very Happy

_________________
Always remember slow and steady wins the race.

Hybrid Cooker

Wreckless · Posted: Mon May 20 13 8:01 pm Post subject:

Troy, it is looking right nice, still marveling at that top ring tho. Very Happy

It really set that firepit apart from all others i have seen. Looking forward to seeing how you trim it out.
Also amazed at how you were able to fix that warped cooking grate with just a digital camera Confused

FWIW tho...I don't figure the plume and feather gals are going to be much good as fab helpers, you're gonna have to leave them there dude. Crying or Very sad

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Backyarder
Smoker Grill
Trailer Rig