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Thanks for the welcome back, guys!! My dad passed away while I was laid off. He fought diabetes for 25 years and it finally took its toll. Dad isn't hurting anymore, mom isn't stressed to the max taking care of him, and he's in a much better place. My mom nor any of my sibs really get into the smoki...

Well I'm back! When I was laid off, I lost my only computer so I haven't been able to update guys. Long time coming, but I have a new computer and am back at it! I have done some work on the smoker, and I will post some updates soon.

Glad to be back!!

Nice work, that's what I'm talking about. Thanks man! Got the sliding coal basket built and installed; it slides, not as easy as I wanted but it does what I need it to do. Maybe a bit more grinding on the tube slots will make it slide a bit easier. Here's the grating installed; I simply cut the sid...

Good keep moving forward. It'll pan out...just keep up your spirits and smoke on!!! Thanks for the encouragement guys! Finally got to finish the doors yesterday, and got the second one insulated BEFORE I put the skin on! How's that for progress? I made some doubler plates to go over the holes that ...

WOW...........you guys are awesome. Who knew a smoker building website and forum would be the place for prayers and encouragement in keeping things God centered..........This really means a lot, thanks guys. Well I TRIED to work on it yesterday, went to Lowes and got a few interim cutting discs befo...

Wow. This is an awesome thread. Love the build thanks doc! Well I didn't do anything on the smoker this weekend, I needed some more cutting discs and with the current job situation turning south I just didn't feel like spending any money nor time on the smoker. Plus, it was clear Saturday most of t...

Well I got the coupling out of the door, without too much cursing. I also found some weldable couplings. Bad thing is, the couplings I found are a lot smaller in diameter. So, I think I will make a round doubler plate to go over the hole. The holes in the second door will need to be done too for con...

Well, I got a problem......the 1/2" themometer coupling I got from Lowe's is not gonna work. It says black on it, but it is malleable iron, or some cheap stuff that you can't weld to (Says China on bag, go figure). The weld cracked. I ground it out, preheated it and welded it again, but same thing. ...

It sounds like you're starting to make a habit of leaving out the insulation :BDHorse: :LG: I know!!! that's the whole point of doing it this way!! I think it's because I have to clamp it so many times to get it lined up to make sure everything fits right, and I just don't see the gaping holes wher...

Got a bit of time to work on the smoker. I finished drilling the tuning plates; all I need to do now is weld the stops on the bottom side and these are done. http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee106/Bkndsdl/Snapbucket/13812142-7857-4d21-9d8f-9544513abcc1_zps9giwxp8j.jpg I also got to work on the doo...

Lol, work always gets in the way!

Think I might have done a bit of cutting? Had to replace my cutting wheel; it got so small, the arbor was hitting the fence; I couldn't cut all the way through the tuning plates, had to work the piece back and forth to cut off the remaining 1/4". It's seen its share of metal! http://i235.photobucket...

WOW! I just took the time to look over your build here. Coooooollll!!! Your an "insulate nut" like me! but I am not doing my CC. Thanks man! Yeah, I figured if I was gonna insulate it I was gonna go all the way, and my thinking is that the CC is the most important thing to insulate. But, I couldn't...

Looks good! I just found your build, gonna have to take a look at that puppy! If I were going for the full hybrid like I had originally planned, I would have added the overlap like you did, but the more I think about it I don't know if I'll go ahead with the rf option, in fact, I am leaning towards ...

Rodcrafter wrote:That is getting it tied down

Thanks man!

I'm using 3/8's for my TPs w/ a lip to cover any gap between each TP. I feel like the weight at 7" wide by 32" long will hold them down. 32" long?!? Holy crap! How big is your smoker?!?!? I want mine to be secured because I plan on trailering it should the need for a cooker somewhere else arise, an...

Got some time to work on the smoker after work yesterday. I got the tuning plates cut and figured out. First thing was to cut one tuning plate from the 3/16"x4" flatbar. Then I was able to lay out the tuning plate rail on the table, and get the proper spacing for the holes set up. My idea is to have...

I would leave atleast an 1/8... I have been playing around in my head with the same thing. It's gonna flatten in time plus the pressure/weight of the door. jm2cw! I put my gaskets on before I mount the hinges but you'll definitely want to figure in a little crush so you end up with a tight seal. Th...

The grate turned out great :D Thanks man! I like it pretty good myself, although I believe I will be cutting the retaining tabs down a bit; they seem a bit big to me. Ok guys, I have a question. I am going to be using tadpole gaskets, namely these: Tadpole gaskets 8815K12 They are 3/8" in diameter....

Well, sea trial went well, and I have been told that there shouldn't be any more layoffs.......God is good. I was able to get one of the lower grates made. I used 1/2" angle for height restrictions, and put the grate below the angle. I didn't want to have to grind all the welds where I'd have to wel...

So, some good news and some bad news. Bad news, I don't know if I'll have a job next week. Long story short, I am a contractor, and with the low oil prices our companie's business is forced to let contractors go. I am going on sea trial next week which will mean lots of overtime, but we come back in...

Well..........I drilled the holes for the horizontal outside skin......can you see the DUH?!? http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee106/Bkndsdl/Snapbucket/ec2e1cbb-e37e-45ff-b818-b7c289ec2ba1_zpsdvlxae5c.jpg Whatcha gonna weld to??!??!!? http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee106/Bkndsdl/Snapbucket/18c...

Big T wrote:It's really coming together nicely, I see the Signal Marine shirt in 1 of the pictures, is that where you work ?

Thanks Big T. No, I used to work there, I worked for Signal Ship Repair in Mobile, the old Bender yard. I work at Ingalls for ABS now.

mike that's an impressive cooker your building there, can't wait to see the finished product. Good work. Yep what he said! Thanks guys! I was able to frame out and skin one side of one door, and that's about all I can do with the material I have right now. I need more angle and sq tube to go any fa...

I was able to get some stuff done today. Got the tuning plate rack in and welded. http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee106/Bkndsdl/Snapbucket/607a0de5-70f2-45d7-9c51-f5fd6505195d_zpsypewjntj.jpg Got two of the outsides braced and ready for the insulation and outer skin. The two tubes in the middle a...