Putting away ALL MY TOOLS...until

[Puff]

Ok, I am so stuck on this f'ed up throat formula that I am quitting building any more smokers....UNTIL, I GET THE ANSWER TO THIS.

What I'd the size half circle I need to get a cutout for 51.41 sq inches?

Thanks...

[Puff]

I keep coming up with an 11.4 inch circle.....then cut in half. Does this make sense...?

[Big T]

Puff I wish I could help you but I already have a headache. I make my throat rectangular in shape but I think some of the guys use handymath.com or something like that.

[Puff]

Thanks T... I cut the legs down and then shape them to match the curvature of the tank. I ran my calculations for the 10th time and came up with all my dimensions and started to build the firebox but when I realized I needed to cut that throat opening it seemed as though everything came to a halt so I tried three different formulas that I saw online and it seems as though half of the 11.4" circle is where it needs to be so there.

If it's wrong we always needed a large capacity birdfeeder

[Rev.Mike]

IF memory serves me correct(iffy at best) i think your about right on that Puff, mines and 80 gallon tank and IF i remember right thats what mine is for the throat opening

[Puff]

Ah ha! Thanks for that Rev. Mike. Going to take the tools out again ;)

[Puff]

Knowing how much easier this part is with a real cutter is what makes it so painful doing it this way.

[Puff]

While I undertand some of the concept, there must be a better way to lay this out....?

[Rodcrafter]

You go Puff! You going to wait and get an plasma cutter after you have made a dozen cookers. Just kidding buddy


Making memories.

[Puff]

Oh man, you are so right. In fact I may just get crazy Monday and order one. id hate to spend the money and get some piece of crap but then why buy something so expensive when it does not get the usage here that it would in a shop. This guy in Delaware advertises that he even repairs the Chinese models so they work much more reliably. It tempts me...really tempts me.

We' ll see what happens. My son and his wife are having a baby next month, my wife needs $$$dental work$$$ Christmas is only weeks away and I have just paid way too many business expenses. When you see those signs that say " YOUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK". Just say hi to them for me!

[Rodcrafter]

Well an cutting torch is less money. A Victor Super Range set may be the best option for you. I don't know what I would have done with out a torch.


Making memories.

[Smokeone]

Maybe u could borrow one of those that your tax dollars bought.

I know it's tough but you seem to be good at cuttin with that thing!

[Rev.Mike]

S1 I think by now Puff owns stock in cutting wheels

[Puff]

I could swear in the last year I had used over 200 discs. At an average of $1.60 each is $320.00. That picture of the discs above are ones that I pulled out of the box and used the last inch or two before they fizzled. The demos I have seen make using the plasma cutter look too easy. Since today is Sunday and I can't waste the time, I'm going to lowe's to buy a few more discs to cut the throat and move along

I have seen several new state owned front end loaders parked along the road at nigh that I'd love to borrow for the weekend. Man they buy $ome great $tuff...no matter what the cost. If I could operate they way government does and just not care where the cash comes from, WOW !

But then, I could write volumes on that topic. You guys know the one about the Jersey road crews... 9 guys on the job looking at the one guy in the hole with a shovel?

[Puff]

Made a little progress today ...weather was a lot better at 55 instead of 35

Rust and muck inside

There was some smoke coming out of the throat cutout for several minutes. Being an air compressor, what might have caused this?

[Clover Ridge Smokers]

On your next build try using a trapezoid instead of the half moon. Much easier to calculate and cut. Here is a link to a trapezoid calculator and is totally awesome. http://www.mathopenref.com/trapezoidarea.html

[Rodcrafter]

Compressor oil and water caused the rust


Making memories.

[Puff]

Thanks for the link..CRS,. I will use this on the next tank I have. Running out of family to build for. I don't know why . . especially since I am more of a technical person, when I start reading stuff with math in it my mind just goes blank and I zone right out. It's as if I was looking at a blurred page of colors. BUT, I tried this out. If you just drag the dots until you get the area you need... You're done. EXCELLENT !!

I'm taking your advice and putting square doors on this tank. Looked up TQ's build where he extended the top and framed out the doors. Doing this will cut out the ports and possible twists in the curved door, I can use the flat Nomex gaskets and the top rack can be the same size as the bottom!


RC, I don't think this air tank is more than 15 yrs old. The double handful of scale that easily scooped out has at least that much still in there. I think I'll sand blast the tank inside and out rather than the burn out. The original silver tank paint wipes off with acetone. Found that out when I was cleaning the cut line to write on with the Sharpie pen.
I think I can finish this one within the next 2-3 weeks.

[Rodcrafter]

Wow that is a lot of that stuff in there Puff, if you knock that thing out that fast you are going to up there with Gizmo. He got to banging them out like that too.

[Puff]

Gee I miss him....I only see a few posts here and there. Must be busy.

Welded the very level leg frame assembly on today but I could not stand it upright. Also cut out 3 sides of the CC door and cut the firebox front panel out. That is the slowest and most backbreaking part. I was tempted to drop off the 1/4 plate to a local welder here and have him plasma cut the parts. He gets $50.00 an hour and as much of a convenience as that may be, it goes against my grain to do that.

I need to get about 40 feet of 1" square tube for the doors and door frame, then make two racks inside.

[Gizmo]

Sorry, just swamped at work.
Lucky to get 5 minutes a day to respond.
But Ethyl is coming in about February ….

[Rev.Mike]

GIZMO! glad to see ya buddy! and wow! another build? should be interesting seeing this one come together! and Puff, your moving right along!

[Smokeone]

Did your cookers co mingle again? I thought we taught you where new cookers come from!
Good to hear from you buddy!

[Pennywise]

That crap in the bottom is from daily use and NOT draining the system...also oil of course.

Our Miller plasma cost us ALOT but the shop covered it, and we just don't let them use it.

[Tom_Heath]

OMG

is it just a cutter or is it attached to a cnc table.?????? If its a table then I am you new best friend...LOL