Another Compressor build...

[Gizmo]

Quooole!

So what kind of gauge are we looking at?

[jaybird302]

Quooole! So what kind of gauge are we looking at?

That is a gauge by a company called Man Law. It's ok... I'm not super impressed with their "tech support". I emailed them to ask what the thread pattern was. After explaining to the tech what a thread pattern actually was, he responded "it's 3/8"". I asked because I couldn't match the pattern at Lowes. I wanted to weld in a nut as a bung. The gauge came with a "nut" that is smooth and round, no walls like you'd expect so you could use a wrench to tighten it. He told me to "just finger tighten it and you'll be fine." So, needless to say I'm not super impressed with them, but the gauge seems to be fine, and it glows, so that's neat-o.

[Gizmo]

Thanks!

[jaybird302]

She ran pretty good lastnight. I was able to get it up to about 350 and then choke it down to about 215 before I got tired and wanted to go to sleep. When I got ready to shut it down I closed the stack and inlet which both seal tight, that snuffed it out pretty quickly. I'll certainly need to put in some gasket to seal the CC as I'm losing a lot of heat out of the top of the door. Next it to make a counter weight for the door, that bugger is heavy! Anyway, more pics.

[bluecatfish]

It would be interesting to see how the temps of the gauge in the door and a maverick probe would compare. I like the looks of the gauge.

[jaybird302]

It would be interesting to see how the temps of the gauge in the door and a maverick probe would compare. I like the looks of the gauge.

Hopefully a Maverick is under the Christmas tree, then we'll see how they compare.

Jay

[bluecatfish]

Great, Jay. Hope Santa is good to you and brings the Maverick!

[jaybird302]

Here we go...

[Tinker]

[bluecatfish]

Um,Um, Good!

[Big T]

I was wondering about how heavy your door was and since you mentioned it I figured I'd tell you about my experience. My hinges were identical to yours and no matter what I done with the counter weight it was still hard to open. I tried changing the location, angle, height and weight and still couldn't get the feel that I thought I should have. I had to change the design of my hinges and now it's pretty easy to open for a 3/8'' thick door that's 42'' long and 24'' tall. I think it's the breaking point on the hinge design , you have to lift the full weight of the door before the door starts to roll back. You maybe able to figure out how to make it work with a counter weight so don't let me discourage you from trying.

[jaybird302]

I was wondering about how heavy your door was and since you mentioned it I figured I'd tell you about my experience. My hinges were identical to yours and no matter what I done with the counter weight it was still hard to open. I tried changing the location, angle, height and weight and still couldn't get the feel that I thought I should have. I had to change the design of my hinges and now it's pretty easy to open for a 3/8'' thick door that's 42'' long and 24'' tall. I think it's the breaking point on the hinge design , you have to lift the full weight of the door before the door starts to roll back. You maybe able to figure out how to make it work with a counter weight so don't let me discourage you from trying.

You bring up a really good point, thanks for the advice. I'll keep you posted on what I come up with....

Jay

[jaybird302]

Alright, the pork chops turned out a little dry, probably because I left them too long. But the ribs.... Oh man! I did the 2-2-1 method, perfect! I've found my new addiction for sure!

[Rodcrafter]

[jaybird302]

Yup, forgot....

[Gizmo]

Suddenly my beanie-weenies for Christmas dinner aint lookin' so good …..

[jaybird302]

Suddenly my beanie-weenies for Christmas dinner aint lookin' so good …..

Gizmo, for some reason I doubt that beania-weenies is on your Christmas dinner menu... I'm sure whatever you cook will be award winning! I think I'm gonna do a smoked Turkey.

Jay

[jaybird302]

So I added a counter weight yesterday. After thinking about it and looking at it... And thinking... And more looking... With the advice that BigT gave me I came up with a plan. Plenty of angle and a lot of weight. The weight is 2 pieces of 3" angle(about 12" long) welded together and capped off. I have a buddy who runs a tire shop, so he hooked me up with 15lbs of scrap wheel weights. All of this was melted down to make room for it all. End product is a 30lb weight that hangs 20" off the tank at a 30deg angle. I can lift it with 2 fingers and it balances right in the middle. Now for the proof!

[Big T]

I'm glad that you got it to work. I never tried putting the weight that far behind the door.

[shskr]

Interesting build. Some ideas for my build.
Does the counterweight make a difference? Mine is similar size but not convinced in adding cw.

[jaybird302]

Interesting build. Some ideas for my build. Does the counterweight make a difference? Mine is similar size but not convinced in adding cw.

In a word... YES! I had a hard time lifting it with one arm, and then I had to hold it open and do everything with one hand, now I can lift it with 2 fingers and get all my work done like normal. This might be my favorite feature!

[Smokeone]

Never thought of filling it with tire weights. That there will go in the old memory, if I can find it back.

[Clover Ridge Smokers]

[Rodcrafter]

[bluecatfish]

Glad to know those tire weights are good for something besides making fishing sinkers!