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sjstretch
Joined: 09 Oct 2013
Posts: 24
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 Posted: Nov 18 2013 Post subject: |
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| YODQ4U wrote: | | sjstretch, the project is looking good. You might want to consider some counter weights on the doors. When I built mine at first I never had the counter weights on and what a difference the weight made. looking good. |
Yea, it probably needs the counter weights. I really don't like the way they look.
I need to research how the calculate/build counter weights. |
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Wreckless
BBQ Super Pro
Joined: 15 May 2009
Posts: 2292
Location: New Braunfels, TX
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| Posted: Nov 19 2013 Post subject: |
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| sjstretch wrote: | | YODQ4U wrote: | | sjstretch, the project is looking good. You might want to consider some counter weights on the doors. When I built mine at first I never had the counter weights on and what a difference the weight made. looking good. |
Yea, it probably needs the counter weights. I really don't like the way they look.
I need to research how the calculate/build counter weights. |
You my find you like building them even less.  FWIW tho, if you go with the fixed weight rather than mechanical, I have used round stock that was a hydraulic piston shaft found at my scrap yard for the weight. Some have used pipe and filled with sand to desired weight as well. I liked knowing outright what my weight would be. A third of your door weight would be a good start. JM2CW |
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sjstretch
Joined: 09 Oct 2013
Posts: 24
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| Posted: Nov 20 2013 Post subject: |
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| Wreckless wrote: | | sjstretch wrote: | | YODQ4U wrote: | | sjstretch, the project is looking good. You might want to consider some counter weights on the doors. When I built mine at first I never had the counter weights on and what a difference the weight made. looking good. |
Yea, it probably needs the counter weights. I really don't like the way they look.
I need to research how the calculate/build counter weights. |
You my find you like building them even less. FWIW tho, if you go with the fixed weight rather than mechanical, I have used round stock that was a hydraulic piston shaft found at my scrap yard for the weight. Some have used pipe and filled with sand to desired weight as well. I liked knowing outright what my weight would be. A third of your door weight would be a good start. JM2CW |
Thank you for the help...
Does the fixed counter weight work OK if it is straight up and down and not angled back? I am thinking the door would harder to open with it built this way? |
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TrailerBuilder
BBQ Super Pro
Joined: 08 Feb 2010
Posts: 3151
Location: Springfield MO
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YODQ4U
BBQ Fan
Joined: 27 Aug 2009
Posts: 133
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| Posted: Nov 21 2013 Post subject: |
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sjstretch, this is my smoker that I built and the counter weights. The counter weight works as a stopper too. The arm hits the chamber on the back side. |
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sjstretch
Joined: 09 Oct 2013
Posts: 24
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| Posted: Nov 23 2013 Post subject: |
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Still need to put the thermometer in the doors, but I went ahead and got it hot today. Wanted to see what would change with heat.
Had to clearance one of the cooking chamber doors, it was making contact when hot.
Everything else was OK. Getting close to doing some cooking. |
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k.a.m.
BBQ Mega Star
Joined: 12 Dec 2007
Posts: 26020
Location: Southeast Texas.
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| Posted: Nov 24 2013 Post subject: |
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sjstretch, your cooker is looking fantastic.  Tweaking is always a good thing before paint good move building a fire in her to see what happens.
I prefer mechanical weights, I like seeing the moving parts work together while helping the door up. Plus they can be less bulky as some of the fixed weights tend to be.
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Always remember slow and steady wins the race.
Hybrid Cooker |
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sjstretch
Joined: 09 Oct 2013
Posts: 24
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| Posted: Nov 25 2013 Post subject: |
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| k.a.m. wrote: | sjstretch, your cooker is looking fantastic. Tweaking is always a good thing before paint good move building a fire in her to see what happens.
I prefer mechanical weights, I like seeing the moving parts work together while helping the door up. Plus they can be less bulky as some of the fixed weights tend to be. |
Thank you, and I am thinking mechanical weight at the point also. |
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sjstretch
Joined: 09 Oct 2013
Posts: 24
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| Posted: Nov 25 2013 Post subject: |
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Got the slide tuning plates cut and installed. I have 6" from tuning plates to cooking rack...hope that is enough.
Thermometers installed in the doors
Shelf cut for over the finder. It will wrap around the front also (planning a pot burner on the front).
Thank you |
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sjstretch
Joined: 09 Oct 2013
Posts: 24
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| Posted: Nov 29 2013 Post subject: |
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The actual pit part is finished, but there is still a lot to do to the trailer....
Rear trailer jack to keep the trailer from tipping
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sjstretch
Joined: 09 Oct 2013
Posts: 24
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| Posted: Dec 06 2013 Post subject: |
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Finished painting the trailer and got some wood decking down.
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Awning Guy
BBQ Pro
Joined: 23 Aug 2008
Posts: 760
Location: Riverside Ca.
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| Posted: Dec 06 2013 Post subject: |
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A very nice and clean build. I hope you keep us updated on the performance of your cooker now that's its alive. This may be too early to tell but, would you have changed anything if you were to do it again?
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sjstretch
Joined: 09 Oct 2013
Posts: 24
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| Posted: Dec 08 2013 Post subject: |
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| Awning Guy wrote: | | A very nice and clean build. I hope you keep us updated on the performance of your cooker now that's its alive. This may be too early to tell but, would you have changed anything if you were to do it again? |
It is a little to early for me to know what I would change. Should have wood on Monday or Tuesday. Then it will be time to fire it up!! |
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sjstretch
Joined: 09 Oct 2013
Posts: 24
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| Posted: Dec 11 2013 Post subject: |
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Had an opportunity for an overhead photo today...Thought is was kind of cool.
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TrailerBuilder
BBQ Super Pro
Joined: 08 Feb 2010
Posts: 3151
Location: Springfield MO
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sjstretch
Joined: 09 Oct 2013
Posts: 24
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| Posted: Dec 13 2013 Post subject: |
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Played with the pit a little today...I was able to adjust the tuning plates to get the exhaust end of the cooking chamber 20+ degrees warmer than the firebox end. Then adjusted back to get both ends 5 degrees part. The tuning plates are working pretty good.
It took 30-45 minutes to warm up (it was 20 degrees out when i started) and it needs more wood at about 45-60 minutes. I was trying to hold 225 degrees the whole time.
Very happy right now, but still have a lot to learn about how it reacts to changing intake, exhaust and fire size. |
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k.a.m.
BBQ Mega Star
Joined: 12 Dec 2007
Posts: 26020
Location: Southeast Texas.
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| Posted: Dec 13 2013 Post subject: |
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sjstretch, very nice work on your cooker she came out fantastic. I look forward to seeing some cook pics.
_________________
Always remember slow and steady wins the race.
Hybrid Cooker |
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sjstretch
Joined: 09 Oct 2013
Posts: 24
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| Posted: Jan 08 2014 Post subject: |
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Cooked about 85 lbs of pork shoulder over new years. It turned out great! I am very happy with the build. It is pretty easy to adjust the temperature, and it ran all day with only a 5-10 degree difference across the whole pit. The tuning plates are working.
Now I think it is time to work on the trailer a little. I am planning on adding...
Propane burner for beans, hot water, etc... anyone have any recommendations? How big do I need? What does everyone recommend for propane bottle holder?
I have a 4'X2'X2' Jobox I am going to add for wood storage. Just need to vent and paint it.
Building a storage area for coolers. Over the top of this, I might build mounts to carry an 8 burner 5' long propane grill. I have access to the grill, and thought it might be a good way to move it around.
Quick connect, at back of trailer, for propane "match stick" (weed burner). I like this option for cleaning cooking grates, and lighting charcoal/wood, without lighter fluid. I really dislike lighter fluid.
Thank you |
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k.a.m.
BBQ Mega Star
Joined: 12 Dec 2007
Posts: 26020
Location: Southeast Texas.
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| Posted: Jan 09 2014 Post subject: |
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sjstretch, on my comp cooker I installed two low pressure banjo burners that work great for boiling water, cooking beans or cooking breakfast.
I built my propane holder it is pretty simple but works great you can see some pics of it on my comp cooker thread.
I also have a quick connect on the back of my trailer for my flame thrower and love it. I have two hoses connected and can reach my forward grill from the back.
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Always remember slow and steady wins the race.
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sjstretch
Joined: 09 Oct 2013
Posts: 24
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| Posted: Feb 22 2014 Post subject: |
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I have been working on the pit a little...
Added propane tanks
Added a burner and a wood storage Jobox to the trailer.
Still need to figure out the cooler area up front, but very close to finished. |
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