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My buddy got some time to start working on the tanks. Triming the ends, getting them into the shop. Talk about old tanks, it looks like they were made in 4/5 of 1943. They have been around awhile.

Started welding the caster bases to the 2"square tubing. Ok, 1st time I have tried welding this way. I got one good weld, the others are not so good. got some advice from one of our tech's, and hopefully I will make them better friday during lunch. You have to learn some how.

One deflector plate done, now to do the other friday. Go easy on me, 1st time using a TIG welder. (I haven't welded since high school, mid 80's)......... Friday: Got the 2nd deflector done during lunch today, what took me 45min. yesterday, only took about 15 today. Much easier. Now to cut down my 2"...

Here are the handles bent and welded with the springs. These are Stainless, so some polishing is needed yet. I'm trying to do some of the smaller stuff at work during lunch. We have a nice shop that we are allowed to do some things in. As you can see, the one FB handle got a little messed up at the ...

I cut all the angle/square tubing/bar stock to length last night. The 20' lenghts of stock steel are now a bunch of small pieces.

My 1st real build pics. These are the Ø.50 stainless handle rods. Drill & taped on the ends that need it, on the Chimney handle, just cut a few grooves so it's not smooth. Now to find the bender at work, once bent, then weld on the spring handles.

Finally making some progress. Picked up all bar/angle/tube stock last night. Laser cut material should be done Friday. I started working on the handles today, 1st time I have touched a lathe since 1983. Making up some stainless handles with stainless springs. Not sure when the actual tank cutting wi...

The price on the insulation was the best I could find, It is ceramic, 1832°F working temp. Here's a link: http://www.mcgillswarehouse.com/fiber-board-paper-blanket Big T, thanks for the input on the 1/8" x 2" bar stock. For some reason, I got thinking it might be a little thin. What kind of paint do...

One more question, now that I am in the metal buying mode. The steel that gets welded to the CC door to overhang the tank, I was planing on using 1/8"x 1-5/8"x length. Does that sound correct or is it to thin? My rope gasket will get glued to the back of this also. I know that feeling, one day the w...

For some reason, I didn't get notification from the last post, in the mean time, I allready ordered my spring handles in stainless, not to much price difference. Thanks So, I have almost all my stuff ordered, just have to stop at one guys to pick up the misc. steel tubing/angle iron tonight. I'll pr...

I have another question for you masters out there. Door handles, I'm thinking of using the coiled spring like handles that you can buy, stainless or reg. steel. If you use stainless, how do you protect them if you use reg. steel 1/2" rod for the rest of it? Or, do just buy reg. steel ones, weld them...

Thanks to the help of you and others. With a little guidance, I can draw up anything.

Perfect, thanks for the info. Here's a screen shot of the final version. Just waiting on quotes for laser cutting metal. was on vac. last week, so hopefully will find out info. next week. No door handles shown yet, but those will be added as we go.

I have another question, Expanded metal, do you use flattened, or the raised?
thanks

Prints sent to buddy, flat sheet sent to another buddy to see what his cost is for laser cutting, and casters came in yesterday.

Quick? What size pipe for draining? 1" or 1.5" dia.? Just ordered 8" dia. Casters off ebay. Going to print out the flat patterns for the tank cut Friday, and send to my buddi. He's itching to get started.

Thanks for the input.

Ok, I have a stupid ? on cutting 1/4" plate. What is the best way? Hopefully, I will not have to worry about it, but if for some ungodly reason my buddie is not able to do it at work (off hrs), and I need to cut it my self, is there a good way? angle iron/pipe/bar stock, we have a cut off saw for th...

Thanks for the input. Now I see how they work. Still working on my prints and I wasn't sure exactly how they attached. It all make sence now.

Perfect, thanks for the help

Thanks, Does anyone have a picture of one? I just went to McMaster Carr to see what is available, and not sure if I'm looking at the right fitting.
Thanks again. (Newbee here)

Ok, how do you mount a thermometer to your tank? do you weld on a 1/2" nut, and drill a 1/2" hole thru the lid?
sorry for the dumb ?

Thanks

No problem, that is why I asked. Thanks for the input. Looks like the Webber grill gets to stay awhile longer.

I was thinking of something similar to this: http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/101769/reverse-flow-build-just-getting-started/20 (post # 40) I was wondering if you could run the smoker similar to a gas grill, for when you don't have time to smoke, but wanted to grill something, or possibly use the ...

CRS, THanks. Since my buddie has 3 tanks, and we are trying to keep the costs down, this seemed like a nice compromize in using available materials. Now to get the prints drawn up, make some flat patterns for the outer skin, and get a material list. Then off to the local scrap iron yard to see what ...