1st 250 Gallon RF Build

[cjbarnwell]

Here are some pics of the tank we are going to use. Got it for free from a guy that owed my dad a favor. I have some more pics to come of the progress.

[The Czar]

Well you 1/4 of the way there.....be sure to show the cutting process....

[cjbarnwell]

Below are some more pics of the build. I got the dimensions for the firebox from reading some and using a calculator I found online. Im starting to think is may be too big. It is 32x24x28. Using AutoCAD, I calculated the opening of the fire box to the tank (sorry I dont have a good pic of this) to be about 172 in^2. Any opinions or feedback on those sizes? I figure I will need to match this openeing with the baffle plate opening to the cooking chamber or use an adjustable baffle. Thoughts?


Added hinges and about to cut the doors


Doors on and one counter weight


Other counter weight added


Fire box added

[Smokeone]

I am not the calc guy, but somebody will be along.

Looks like it is coming along nicely!
Those hinges look real heavy duty, nice!

[Tom_Heath]

Franks the spot on guy to double check the sizes but my eyes are telling me that you are pretty close/

Hinges are looking good as well, plenty of beef there.

And an adjustable baffle plate is a Great Idea. It would let you fine tune for the most even temps as well as give ya a little better fuel milage

[rlmax02]

lookin real good. keep the pics coming

[GvilleDave]

Looking Good! I like the hinges. Where did you get those?

[cjbarnwell]

Appreciate the compliments on the hinges. We used a 1.5" wide 3/4" thick bar we found in a scrap pile to make those. The piece to the tank was cut about 3" long and the one to the door was cut about 5" long. Then we just lined them up on the tank, figured where we wanted them and where to drill the holes. After that, we cut an angle on the door piece and grinded them booth as smooth we could. Im sure there are better ways, but that worked well for us.

[Frank_Cox]

looks like you are spot on with your numbers. can't wait to see that thing in action!

[TuscaloosaQ]

looks really good bro, you are doing a mighty fine job

[cjbarnwell]

Can you guys give me some advice on the size of the baffle opening to the cook chamber? If I make it adjustable, how do I figure the max and min sizes of the opening? I thought about using the half circular piece I cut from the fire box to the cooker. My opening to from the firebox to the cooker is roughly 172 in^2, so would that be the max or min opening of the baffle adjustment? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[Smokeone]

172 sq in would be the max gap, I would go. Keep in mind I don't know the exact volume of your cooker.

Sent from my iPhone using Forum Runner

[Frank_Cox]

Hahahahaha! cj has a forklift toooo!

[Gizmo]

oh no ...

[Tom_Heath]

Oh ya, ya just had to point out the forklift. And i was trying to ignore it. Lol

[maccas66]

It might be just on loan!

[cjbarnwell]

It sure comes in handy... That is all I will say. LOL

[cjbarnwell]

I got a chance to upload some more pics (left forklift out). Thanks for all the feedback so far.


Here is the opening from the fire box to the tank.


Top of the baffle


Baffle plate, not quite to the end yet. Still thinking about the adjustable baffle.


May use this piece to slide back and forth for the adjustable baffle. Haven't settled on a solution just yet.

[gusibole]

That's an nice lookin' cooker ya got goin' there! I put an adjustable baffle in mine and I love it. You can really fine tune with the screw adjustment.

[Smokeone]

Looks to be coming along nicely,CJ!

I too would go with the adjustable baffle. I gives you great versatility.

Dont be shy with the forklift, we are just jealous!

[rkboyer911]

By the looks of that tank the one I thought was a 250 might be bigger...UGH
Any chance you know the rough de mentions of that tank?
I better go measure the one im getting and see what it is....
But it

[Frank_Cox]

let me know the measurements and i will tell you

Sent from my iPad using Forum Runner

[The Czar]

Gonna use the force there OB1 ?

[cjbarnwell]

rkboyer911 Sorry for the late reply, the dimensions of my tank are 30" dia and roughly 90" long. For me, it is a monster.

Finally got to do some more work and post some pictures. The only obstacle we are for seeing is the trailer. Thinking about build one from scratch. Any advise on axle/tire placement as to add tongue weight without putting the tires too close to the firebox? Also, Im worried somewhat about being able to reach the right door over a tire or actually being able to raise the door all the way up while keeping my hand on the handle. Any of you guys run into this? What would the min height you would have the firebox off the ground be?







Adjustable Damper

[TuscaloosaQ]

look at my current build under traier builds for a 250 gallon tk I build a 4ft wide trailer. I recess the cooker into trailer that way you can get the tongue weight you want.... I do it by feel i want some tongue weight but i dont want to heavy to handle. my trailers pull down the road straight as an arrow and do not wander at all!!!!!!