Newbie first build, (20 x 50 RF)

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bjm232
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Newbie first build, (20 x 50 RF)

Post by bjm232 » April 8th, 2016, 5:05 pm

Let me preface this build by saying if you see a spiral weld pipe and think to yourself that you want to make a smoker out of it, run, run far away. Had one hell of a time with distortion when the cutting started. Wish we could have just found a propane tank. The learning curve was strong. This was a project for me and my father.

Pipe acquired
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Cutting to length
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Door
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Making hinges
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Some sand blasting
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As you can see we had some major warping
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Attemping to fix the warp....
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Results after wrenching on clamps, heating and scratching our heads for 5 hours...way better than before we can live with it. :help:
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Laying out the legs
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Attached
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Welding on the steel plates that casters will bolt to
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Bolting the casters on
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Finally got it up off the ground, way easier to move around now
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1/4" plate tacked for the fire box
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Shot of my first weld ever
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All welded
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Really starting to look like something...
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And that's all we have up to date...more to come from this coming weekend. Thanks in advance for all the info on the forums..probably should have seen if anyone was making these out of spiral pipe first lol. I think we finally got it to a workable shape, but it's far from perfect. As long as it performs well I'm happy.


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Re: Newbie first build, (20 x 50 RF)

Post by Dirtytires » April 9th, 2016, 12:41 am

Only you will see the flaws. Everyone else will be in awe that you made it yourself.

Looks great. I need to get me one of those big c-clamps....and a team of weigh lifters to pick it up for me.


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Re: Newbie first build, (20 x 50 RF)

Post by Pete Mazz » April 9th, 2016, 5:09 am

:LG: :LG: :LG: :beer:


If it's tourist season, how come I can't shoot 'em?

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Re: Newbie first build, (20 x 50 RF)

Post by The Czar » April 9th, 2016, 6:33 am

That is not a small C Clamp


If you can't fix it by sheer force or cursing......then it can't be fixed.....


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Re: Newbie first build, (20 x 50 RF)

Post by Frank_Cox » April 9th, 2016, 6:49 am

Nice job!

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Re: Newbie first build, (20 x 50 RF)

Post by forty_creek » April 9th, 2016, 8:35 am

Strong Work!


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Re: Newbie first build, (20 x 50 RF)

Post by Squiggle » April 9th, 2016, 5:37 pm

:LG:


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Re: Newbie first build, (20 x 50 RF)

Post by Big T » April 9th, 2016, 11:19 pm

:kewl: Looking good!


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Re: Newbie first build, (20 x 50 RF)

Post by Rodcrafter » April 10th, 2016, 6:18 am

I've made some cookers out of spiral pipe, when I lived in the oil field in Texas. I can tell you that they all act the same way. Back then my head was harder than the pipe so I would fight it with various hydraulic devices until it fit. I'm not as willing now.


Making memories.


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Re: Newbie first build, (20 x 50 RF)

Post by bluecatfish » April 10th, 2016, 12:45 pm

:LG: :LG:


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Re: Newbie first build, (20 x 50 RF)

Post by bjm232 » April 10th, 2016, 1:27 pm

Thanks for the comments guys
Rodcrafter wrote:I've made some cookers out of spiral pipe, when I lived in the oil field in Texas. I can tell you that they all act the same way. Back then my head was harder than the pipe so I would fight it with various hydraulic devices until it fit. I'm not as willing now.


Making memories.
Sounds like this will be the first and only time we build something out of that stuff :headwall:


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Re: Newbie first build, (20 x 50 RF)

Post by bjm232 » April 11th, 2016, 4:41 pm

Updates from this weekend!

Fit the baffle plate and welded in place, forgot to take a pic but also got the drain and ball valve in
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cut out the door for the firebox and attached hinges and the flange
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Cut out the throat opening and tacked it in place
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Welded on the firebox, I've never welded before this project. I think I'm getting better, maybe?
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cutting rounds for the ends of the cook chamber
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Tipped it up to make welding the bottom of the rounds and underside of the firebox easier
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inside shot with the ends on, baffle plate and drain.
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Temp gauges also came in!
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got a fair bit done this weekend, getting close to being functional I think!


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Re: Newbie first build, (20 x 50 RF)

Post by Pete Mazz » April 11th, 2016, 6:09 pm

Lookin' good!


If it's tourist season, how come I can't shoot 'em?

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Re: Newbie first build, (20 x 50 RF)

Post by Smurf » April 11th, 2016, 7:24 pm

No better project to learn to weld on than a smoker. Benefits all around. :kewl: looks very nice.


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Re: Newbie first build, (20 x 50 RF)

Post by Big T » April 11th, 2016, 10:52 pm

:yth: :LG:


Measure Twice.....Cut Three Times.
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Re: Newbie first build, (20 x 50 RF)

Post by Squiggle » April 12th, 2016, 5:43 pm

:LG: :beer:


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Re: Newbie first build, (20 x 50 RF)

Post by bjm232 » April 18th, 2016, 5:15 pm

Things are coming together, I think it's almost finished.

Putting the grates together
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Firebox grate
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Latch and air damper for the firebox
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Laying out and adding the counterweight
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Smokestack!

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Temp gauge holes
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Looking almost ready to cook on
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Need to put the bottom storage area, the rack in front that you can set stuff on and still pondering what to do for a cook chamber handle. Its close though!


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Re: Newbie first build, (20 x 50 RF)

Post by Squiggle » April 18th, 2016, 6:24 pm

Looks fantastic dude, well done! Bet you can almost taste the first cook? :kewl:


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Re: Newbie first build, (20 x 50 RF)

Post by Pete Mazz » April 18th, 2016, 8:05 pm

:LG: :LG: :LG:


If it's tourist season, how come I can't shoot 'em?

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Re: Newbie first build, (20 x 50 RF)

Post by Big T » April 18th, 2016, 10:58 pm

:LG:


Measure Twice.....Cut Three Times.
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Re: Newbie first build, (20 x 50 RF)

Post by forty_creek » April 19th, 2016, 3:17 pm

Strong Work BJM!


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Re: Newbie first build, (20 x 50 RF)

Post by Rodcrafter » April 20th, 2016, 6:39 am

:LG:

You will get a lot of use out of that rascal!


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Re: Newbie first build, (20 x 50 RF)

Post by bjm232 » April 20th, 2016, 10:38 am

thanks for the comments, might be cooking on it by this weekend! :chef:


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Re: Newbie first build, (20 x 50 RF)

Post by Rodcrafter » April 20th, 2016, 6:39 pm

No pics never happened.


Making memories.


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Re: Newbie first build, (20 x 50 RF)

Post by The Czar » April 20th, 2016, 8:31 pm

Yeah that^^^


If you can't fix it by sheer force or cursing......then it can't be fixed.....


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