Spherical cuts for new pit

[castrovillecowboy]

Neighbor feels bad borrowing my pits. So we started a new pit for him. He found a 4ft compressor tank, full 1/4" thick. We used strap hinges for the doors. Now for the fun part- cutting in the FB. It is 16 in. Diameter and the CC is 20" both are rounded ends. Cost is a factor, so trying to do this inexpensive but still right. The FB is 5/8" thick tank I got from another buddy.

The two rounded ends are throwing me for a loop.

I have tried this before, and goofed. What is the best way to cut the CC to accept the FB? I gave up last time and connected the two with a short piece of pipe. Worked,but would of looked better straight up connected. If I had a piece of plate,I'd cut the ends off the rounds and use the plate to connect them. But no plate on this project.

He wants to add a vertical CC too, like Frankenpit. That end we are connecting with a stubby pipe I had left over from my build.

I'll post pics once this blasted rain stops.

[castrovillecowboy]

Secondary thought, could I connect the FB to the CC with two 5" pipes - run them out of the top of the FB, to the bottom third of the CC. Thinking at a 45° angle.

Another friend was asking why not do it this way. I don't think it would transfer enough heat though, like one larger connector would.

[Pete Mazz]

Two 5" would actually be just about right. You'll lose some heat doing it that way tho.
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[k.a.m.]

Are you trying to lay the firebox end to end on the chamber or having the firebox perpendicular to the cooking chamber?
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Hybrid Cooker

[castrovillecowboy]

[k.a.m.]

On the firebox cut the end at the top to get your opening.
Once this is done find and mark the top cut on the cooking chamber dome then get the two tanks end to end and supported to where the two top cuts are inline with each other.

Then take a thin straight edge and lay it on top the firebox and have it touch the cooking chamber making a hash mark. Then move the straight edge around the firebox opening creating the hole. Basically you are mirroring the cut to the cooking chamber.
I hope this helps.
_________________
Always remember slow and steady wins the race.

Hybrid Cooker

[castrovillecowboy]

thanks Kevin, I think I got it -

Cut the FB open at the end where I want it marry up to the CC.

Line the FB up with the CC where I want the joint to be. Using a thin flat bar, mark around the FB on the CC.

My only question is, once I do the top part (around the top of the FB) - do I then have to move the flat bar to the CC for the lower half of the opening, or do I move the flatbar inside the FB and mark the hole in the FB to the CC?

Like I said, I goofed this before and not sure where I went wrong.

Funny, I can put multi-million dollar security systems together and integrate them - but something this simple messes with my head.

[k.a.m.]

[castrovillecowboy]

thanks again, I'll give it a try.

BTW- 5/8 to 11/16" ends in this FB, what would be the best cutter? I have a 4.5" angle grinder , cutting wheel, I would grab up the O/A if I was better with it. Last time I tried that, I went through a whole tank of Oxygen just trying to get the first line cut. I've got to get better with this stuff. Some things shouldn't be self taught. Back home a buddy of mine helped me out - now I am the guy helping out - sucks getting older.

[k.a.m.]

[castrovillecowboy]

[k.a.m.]

That is a bad a$$ tank.
_________________
Always remember slow and steady wins the race.

Hybrid Cooker

[castrovillecowboy]

Hoping I don't burn through it to quickly.
I like it for a firebox but it's heavy and a pain to weld in place.