80 Gallon Compressor Build

[Dirtytires]

Looks like you are an the downhill run...don’t stop now...

[akjeff]

Plugging along! Cut out and patched the two large bungs that we sticking out the back. Going to leave the drain hole in the end bell, and a bung that will be hidden by the front shelf. They may come in handy later on as ports for remote probes etc...Grinding down the welds from the old legs, and other cosmetic stuff. Ran out of flap sander discs, so it's beer thirty, and some salmon on the pellet grill. Hopefully one or two more weekends, and it'll be cooking!

Jeff

[Big T]

[akjeff]

Got a little sidetracked with life, but spent some time in the shop this morning. Made the main cooking grate, but ran out of 3/4" angle for the upper shelf. Also mounted toggle clamps for the door. Made a huge improvement in door seal. Last things I'd like to do before paint, is to gusset the legs of the stand, even though it probably doesn't need them. I'll feel better if they're there. Especially for any trips it may take on my trailer. Also want to put lift eye's on the top of the tank. It'll make life easier for my friends at the powder coat shop. They'll be able to just pick it right off the trailer, then It can dangle while they paint it. Going to do the exterior only, naturally, in black Ceracote. I have it on my Harley mufflers, and it's held up beautifully for about 5 years now. I want to cook in this thing really bad, but I want to get it painted before I get it greasy. It's torture!

Jeff

[Big T]

Life gets in the way of everyone's plans at some point or another, just stay the course and you'll get it finished one day.

[akjeff]

Thanks Big T! Shouldn't be long now.

Jeff

[ajfoxy]

Looking good. Home run now, next think you know we'll all be shouting for Q-view...

[akjeff]

Another small step ahead today. Got the upper rack done. The lower rack ended up 23"x29" and 4" above the BP. The upper rack is 20"x29" and 6-1/2" above the lower, and 6" from the top of the CC. Hope to get in a little after hours time on the shear at work, and knock out the gusset plates for the base. Would also like to make a shelf for in front of the door, and maybe have it wrap around the end as well. Will make an expanded metal shelf in the bottom of the cart as well, to stage wood.

Jeff

[mp4]

Your shelves look great - nice job!

[akjeff]

Thanks mp4. I really wanted to make them out of stainless, but way too cost prohibitive up here. Minimum order of SS expanded metal here is a full 4x8 sheet, at $535 a pop! Then comes the SS angle or square tube at equally outrageous $$$. So, it's good old mild steel to the rescue!

Jeff

[sods]

Question to the community, not specific to your build... why do you build your racks with the angle down and expanded welded underneath?

I make mine the same, but flip it over, and I can use the lip for handle.

[Big T]

Question to the community, not specific to your build... why do you build your racks with the angle down and expanded welded underneath?

I make mine the same, but flip it over, and I can use the lip for handle.

It's just personal preference, either way will work fine. Gizmo builds his like these but uses them both ways depending on what he's cooking.

[akjeff]

Question to the community, not specific to your build... why do you build your racks with the angle down and expanded welded underneath?

I make mine the same, but flip it over, and I can use the lip for handle.

I did it that way, as I figured the grease/gunk would be less likely to build up/linger with the angle facing down, and the expanded metal hanging underneath it. Also covers the sharp ends of the expanded metal.

Jeff

[Dirtytires]

Sods...don’t be afraid to start a new topic when you have a question....and please re-post yours as it’s a good one. It will generate a lot more responses than slipping it in on an existing thread.

[akjeff]

Another small step forward. Installed the stack damper. Cheated and used a factory Smokerbuilder! Since I used the Sportster brake pedal for the firebox latch, I used the shift lever from the same bike for a handle on the damper. Also had a little after hours time on the Pirahna P-50 at work, and sheared a bunch of gusset plates out of 4" flat bar. Hope to weld them on this week. So close I can hardly stand it!

Jeff

[ajfoxy]

You don't think you might need to stop and or change gear on your bike from time to time? Or are these surplus to requirements?

[akjeff]

They were surplus/take offs. Replaced the factory controls with rearsets.

Jeff

[ajfoxy]

They definitely add a bit of bling factor to the build.

[Big T]

Nice damper and handle.

[akjeff]

Thanks BT. The Smokerbuilder/Lavalock damper kit fits perfectly. The cutting is spot on.

Jeff

[akjeff]

Coming down the home stretch! Hope to get it to my buddies shop for paint this week. Today, I welded gusset plates at the bottom of the legs, and a couple horizontal tubes parallel to the cook chamber. Welded a couple threaded bungs into the top of the legs, then bolted a front shelf on. Also covered the bottom of the cart with expanded metal, to stage wood. A couple small things left to do. Turn a pair of knobs for the FB dampers, and install lift eyes on top of the CC. That should be about it. If the shop is too busy to sandblast and paint, then I'll leave it as is. I fully intend to be cooking with it over the Labor Day weekend.

Jeff

[towtruck]

I like it!

[Big T]

You've built yourself something to be proud of!!

[akjeff]

Thanks! Really fun project, and I won't be surprised if I end up building another!

A big "thank you" to the folks on this forum, and to Frank for the plans and having this forum. A huge help.

Jeff

[Big T]

Well don't forget to post some Q view or you'll never hear the end of it from some of the guys.