Locating Materials

OddThomas · Posted: Mar 27 2007 Post subject: Locating Materials

Hi,

Like some of you guys, I've been thinking about building my own mobile pit/cooker. I have some design ideas I'd like to experiment with and have an extensive usability background (basically making things easier/better to use), which I think will come in handy. My brother has almost 10 years of welding experience and fabrication experience (in the commercial truck and trailer industry) and has offered his services for my fabrication and trailer design needs.

The problem is, I am finding it difficult to locate materials; then again, I may be barking up the wrong tree. I'm in NC (near Charlotte) and the prices I have been able to obtain for either pipe or rolled steel seem really high; almost prohibitively high in fact. Additionally, I haven't found many places to even inquire about such materials and only one place has really been responsive and understanding of my obvious inexperience with metal fabrication.

Early on I was looking at pipe in the 24"x72" (sch 40 - 0.375" wall) range and was quoted as much as $1,800 for carbon steel and over $4,500 (0.25" wall) for stainless. Granted, this is thick material and I would expect it to be expensive, but wow. Stainless is not a consideration, but I was blown away by the price nonetheless.

Later, I found a local supplier/fabricator offering rolled 1/4" steel plate (pre-rolled into a cylinder and seamed) in the same dimensions for less than $900. That still seems high to me, but it's about half the cost of going the pipe route. To date this is the best price I have found on new material for the cooking chamber and has helped me pretty much rule out the pipe option.

Some people I've talked to have suggested working with a thinner material such as 7 gauge (roughly 3/16 inch) or even 10 gauge (roughly 1/8 inch) hot rolled steel sheet metal rather than 1/4" plate or pipe. Unfortunately, I've yet to find anyone in my area who can give me a price on such an animal, but I'm still looking.

Does anyone have any idea what the cost on the sheet metal option might be? Do you know of a place in or near my area where I can obtain such materials?

I've also talked to a couple of propane/gas suppliers around here and was told that they "fix" defective tanks and reuse them rather than just scrapping them. That sounds a bit odd to me, considering what I've read here, but who am I to argue with them? Maybe it's a NC thing. We like to live dangerously. =)

Does anyone have suggestions for any other "alternative" or more affordable materials?

Best regards,
OT

Rubit · Posted: Mar 28 2007 Post subject:

This might help a bit. Since the beginning, smokers were made from material that was cheap to acquire as scrap. Oil cointry people had oil pipe. people in the rural south had propane tanks. The point is, look for used items around your area that might work. Keep in mind that round pipe is just one way to go. Consider plate to make your own design. Look through the cooker section and you will find many fine examples.
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Hell Fire Grill · Posted: Mar 28 2007 Post subject:

Odd Tom

Unfortunatly for us the price of ferris and non ferris scrap metals has gone through the roof,making new steel,etc. more difficult to afford. I have managed to pick up pieces and parts to patch together and begin biulding a smoker. You might try a local scrap yard or recycling center. In the past I have found materials for various projects at garage n barn sales, second hand stores, junk yards, farmers fields and even in a pile of junk in front of some slobs house. Alot of these guys are willing to give you there scrap while others think theirs is treasure and want a buck or two. Good luck.

OddThomas · Posted: Mar 28 2007 Post subject:

Hi,

Thanks for the input guys. I've been looking around for used/scrap stuff also, but I thought some people here might have general experience with new metal prices. I'd rather use new materials than something that might be permeated by chemicals, fuels, or other possible toxins, but I have used a cooker in the past that was made from an old oil drum. To my knowledge, no one has ever gotten ill from eating the food it produced and I've never noticed or had any complaints about any "after-taste".

By the way I also have an excellent update on the situation. I just received a price quote from a (different) company in Charlotte, NC:

3/16" (.180/.188" ) x 24" OD x 72" long - $460.00

I shaved off 1/16" of thickness (from my earlier 1/4" plate offer) and dropped about 50% on the price. This is much more in line with the way I was thinking about things when I first thought about "rolling my own" cooker. =)

This is, of course, if I stick with the semi-traditional cylinder shaped cooking chamber. I am also considering a more rectangular design that's sort of Tucker Cooker inspired, but that implements my own take on a reverse flow system and yields a lot more cooking surface.

Of course, free is always good, but I can dream!

Best regards,
OT

milt · Posted: Mar 28 2007 Post subject:

As far as propane tanks go I went the route of supply companys, and
got the same answer. Then I found a co. that recertifys the tanks. I
was given two tanks for FREE the tanks not safe to use are sent to the
scrap yard.( maybe a N.Y. thing Laughing

)

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www.kissmybuttsbbq.com

Travis_Creek · Posted: Mar 28 2007 Post subject:

Your $460 price is a good price. 3/16" will work just as good as 1/4". It will also save you on the weight of your unit.
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OddThomas · Posted: Mar 28 2007 Post subject:

bob-a-que · Newbie Joined: 23 Mar 2007 Posts: 25 Location: Chit-Town

I welded together 3, 55 gallon steel drums that i got for free, granted they are not mobile but they sure as hell could be.
i figure use what you got, or what you can get.
function before form

http://s165.photobucket.com/albums/u69/dero82/

BOB-A-QUE

OddThomas · Posted: Mar 28 2007 Post subject:

mrcustomsteel · Posted: Mar 29 2007 Post subject:

Thomas, It might help you on the rolling price to think in 4' sections. Ask the roller what he would charge to roll 2, 4'x8' sheets into a couple of 4'x +/-30" dia cylinders and leave them unwelded. You will get your 6' cooking chamber and have 2' left for the firebox. You and your brother can weld it all up for much cheaper than paying a fab shop. Plus you are going to have to re-cut that seam to make the doors if they weld it.

To roll a 72"x24" cylinder takes two sheets of steel anyway, plus a considerable amount of welding unless you are dealing with a company that already has sheets that big and those guys usually don't screw with little guys like us.

Can't wait to see the first set of pics.
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OddThomas · Posted: Mar 29 2007 Post subject:

OddThomas · Posted: Mar 29 2007 Post subject:

timmer · Newbie Joined: 22 Jan 2007 Posts: 55

Do you know anyone who works on a pipe crew. I scored a 10 ft by 30 inch peice of pipe probably 3/8 inch thick. Cant ususally get a piece that big normally. Just ask any of your construction buddies. So far I have a 3500 lb axle or a pick up to make the trailer from. Good luck ~! tim