The Ugly Stick

[bluecatfish]

Firebox looks great. We all have days like that.

[bstory]

That's awesome big t. I got ahold of some material for another build. And it's going to be a beast. I have 7ft of 24" diameter 1/2 pipe. Dang is going to be a beast

[Big T]

Thanks bstory, I'm trying to get it finished up but I messed around and deer season came in. I know that 1/2'' pipe will be a beast, my 3/8'' was plenty heavy enough for me.

[Big T]

I finally got the door mounted

I got my counter weight installed

homemade hinges

framed out around my FB and put the fenders on

getting closer

I was hoping to get more done today but I quickly realized that I need to make another trip to my friends scrap pile !

[Clover Ridge Smokers]

[dwwantasmoker]

I'm not sure if I wish I had a friend with a scrap pile like that or if it's just my back talking! lol
looks great.

[bluecatfish]

[Big T]

I built my frames with 1'' square tubing

used some 3/16''x1'' flat bar to hold my racks in place

I'm still trying to decide if I want to put a handle on my top rack or just pull from below. It kind of looks like it should have one or maybe that's my OCD talking.

[The Czar]

Sweet!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Rev.Mike]

[Puff]

Big T,

I was thinking the same about the rack handles. I have them made and only need to attach them. I am going to attach them as I believe they may provide a better grip and slide control especially when the metal is hot.

Looking really nice...bet you can't wait to get it fired up. How is your firebox setup? Are you using a rack inside of it ?

[Big T]

Thanks guys, Puff I'm like a kid waiting on Santa, I just wish I could find a little more time to work on it. I built a basket for my FB, seems like it will be easier to keep my coals in a pile. There are 2 or 3 pic's of it on this thread. I'm pretty sure I'll end up putting a handle on the top rack, if not it'll drive me nuts !

[Rodcrafter]

Looking good Big T, I put a handle on my bottom rack because I couldn't get my fingers under the rack but the top one I can, as you can also hold onto the whole bottom edge. In my opinion the handle on top is just going to be in the way. Your doing great don't let me change your mind.

[Big T]

finally built my stack baffle

my "attempt" at improving the design

I made it from 1/4'' plate and cut the top piece about a 1/16'' bigger than the stack and cut a second piece to fit in the stack. I'm thinking that with the weight of the cap and the round bar that it'll stay closed while traveling. Oh and on a side note , I added a handle on my top rack. I couldn't leave it off even though I didn't need it, just looked unfinished.

[Clover Ridge Smokers]

Nice looking cap. Isn't funny how we always are trying to improve things?

[bluecatfish]

Good design on the baffle.

[dwwantasmoker]

Looks like your making some great progress.

[Tinker]

I really like the way you fixed the stack cap

[Puff]

I hope you don't mind but I gotta borrow that stack cap idea... Looks pretty near 3/4 " rod so I'm guessing it's got some weight to it

[Rev.Mike]

[Big T]

Thanks Fellas, Puff I borrowed the design also , the rod from the top down is 3/4'' and the piece pointing out is 5/8''. I got it out of the scrap pile so I figured I'd use it. CRS I think it's a curse, I always set out to make it like the others but for some reason I have to change it up a little. Sometimes it works and most times it don't.

[Big T]

My CC door has been a little heavy the first third of the way up even with a counter weight. I tried changing the position of the CW and adding more weight but I still couldn't get it like I thought it should be. I came to the conclusion that it was my hinge design, I guess I should have paid more attention in geometry . I went ahead and cut the old ones off and made some new ones out of round bar and tubing. It was well worth the effort, my door is very heavy being 3/8'' but now it's fairly easy to open. I hate having to go back and rework things that I thought was done with, I just hate to settle for good enough on something I've worked so hard on. Anyway here's a pic of the new hinges, maybe next time I work on it I'll do something new instead of redoing something.

a simple design and cleaner look

[Smokeone]

Looks great T!
You know if we did it perfect the first time, every time, we would just get ourselves in more trouble. Just think of the free time mischief!

[Big T]

I wanted to cook on it a few times before I painted it but I already had it blasted and didn't want it to rust again. I figured that the paint was cheaper than blasting so if I decide to make changes I'll just repaint. I went to buy paint and ran across this rustoleum high temp that is flat silver, I decided to spray the cooker silver and the trailer black. I've always liked to be different and most of the ones that I've seen are black so I went for it.

definitely different

They say a picture's worth a thousand words but this picture doesn't do it justice. I wanted to get a picture in the sun but it started raining before I got finished. I still have to sand my handles a put a coat of clear on them but other than that I'm just about done.

[Tinker]