First build here we go!!

SOILhunter · Post by **SOILhunter** » September 24th, 2012, 6:42 pm

Finally found the deal I've been looking for so it's time to start my first build! Picked up this little joker today for $50 which I thought was a pretty good price. It's an 85 gallon tank that was used to run a truck on propane, dimensions are 48x24 so you know it's going to be a RF patio unit. With all the info and pictures I've been cramming in my head the past few weeks I think things should go pretty good, but there is always the plans to fall back on JIC. Anyway..I can't wait to get started, I will update this post as I go and if anyone has any valuable info they want to share feel free!

onesquin · Post by **onesquin** » September 24th, 2012, 10:22 pm

Looks good. Check out my recent patio concept and some of franks patio builds. I am interested to see this come together as I want to build a similar size smoker very soon. Keep the pics and progress updates coming.

Post by **Tom_Heath** » September 24th, 2012, 10:22 pm

Nice score man,

If the fittings we see are the ony ones on the tank I would have to vote to leave them and point um down.
Looks like a ton of work to cut them all and reweld patch back in.

Thats just me tho.

85 should be a great size for a backyarder.

maccas66 · Post by **maccas66** » September 25th, 2012, 3:08 am

Thats a great size tank for a patio smoker,and look forward to your build, I grabbed another tank the other day for my next build which I`m doing to sell off.
I agree with what Tom said about leaving the valve stubbs in the tank I did it with mine, you can see the back of the housing in this pic,

Gizmo · Post by **Gizmo** » September 25th, 2012, 5:54 am

I would cut the whole rectangle out where they all are and have a piece of 9 guage or 1/4" rolled to fit back over the opening for the main door.
But that's just me...

SOILhunter · Post by **SOILhunter** » September 25th, 2012, 6:51 am

I had in my head that I would probably leave them in since there was so many and at least they are all right together. I would point them down and if I hate the look when I'm finished I will skin the front and back of the stand with some aluminum tread plate. It's killing me driving to work this morning knowing its just sitting there waiting to be worked on.

Gizmo · Post by **Gizmo** » September 25th, 2012, 7:21 am

The symptoms of a true addiction ...

OKIECOOKER · Post by **OKIECOOKER** » September 25th, 2012, 7:36 am

Good luck with the build. Keep the pics coming.

TuscaloosaQ · Post by **TuscaloosaQ** » September 25th, 2012, 7:54 am

I am with Rick on the bung solution have apiece rolled and get em out!!!! Either way it is up to you, I am sure it will be nice either way. 24 by 48 is a perfect size I just finished one that size
with charcoal grates added over the baffel plate that can be removed

SOILhunter · Post by **SOILhunter** » September 25th, 2012, 8:52 am

Doubled up..oops

SOILhunter · Post by **SOILhunter** » September 25th, 2012, 8:58 am

I guess the only thing steering me away from that option would be the experience. I don't know where or how to order a rolled piece. If I was to find a place, I just tell them I need a piece of 1/4 rolled to a 24" diameter with my door size for dimensions? Do I order a piece bigger than I need and then cut to size?

Gizmo · Post by **Gizmo** » September 25th, 2012, 12:11 pm

You are right on the roll curve but ask for a 12 inch radius (for a 24 inch tank diameter) then for the dimensions add one inch all the way around the opening you just cut to determine the size. ... i.e. if you cut a 12 X 24 opening then you will need a 14 X 26 piece - you shouldn't have to cut it at all this way. Measure it with a dressmaker's tape - more accurate I think...

For one thing, they will want to work with a larger piece to handle it in the slip roller so let them worry about that. They really appreciate it on curved parts if you bring them a cardboard template of the edge view that they can lay their workpiece against to check it - at least my place likes that.

That inch overlap is where you silicone your fire-rope onto the door or cook chamber and it closes on that. Clear as mud?

Best thing is to just check the thickness of the tank wall after you cut the opening and get something close to the same thickness for the door.

Just start looking around in the phone book/business listings/chamber of commerce for a machine shop...

SOILhunter · Post by **SOILhunter** » September 25th, 2012, 12:52 pm

Got it..the 1" overlay is used instead of trimming out the door inside or out correct? What does a shop normally charge for this?

Gizmo · Post by **Gizmo** » September 25th, 2012, 1:09 pm

Correct - If you cut a piece out with nothing on it then you reuse it as the door - you will discard your piece since it's covered with stuff you're getting rid of.
I can't quote you a price since my shop are friends of mine and treat me pretty good ...
Just occurred to me that there might (take a little luck) be an old tank you could cut a door from if it had the right diameter - save the rolling labor time.

SOILhunter · Post by **SOILhunter** » September 25th, 2012, 1:59 pm

Thanks for your help trying to locate a shop now!

SOILhunter · Post by **SOILhunter** » September 27th, 2012, 11:23 am

Found a couple shops fairly close to home that can do what I need. I'm getting quotes from around 120-150 that's with material and labor...does that seem like a fair price? I think that's the more expensive route of my two options but the end result would be a cleaner look and not having to worry about a sprung door would be nice.

SOILhunter · Post by **SOILhunter** » September 27th, 2012, 5:37 pm

Well posting this in case I splode...this is where I'm at, valves removed, full of water and the notch marked. Firing up the metabo and away I go!

Gizmo · Post by **Gizmo** » September 27th, 2012, 6:50 pm

Keep us posted!

SOILhunter · Post by **SOILhunter** » September 27th, 2012, 7:23 pm

I am alive! Stopped when I got the horizontal cut done to let water drain and have some supper..have some legs in the way on the bottom of the tank so in having to open up my waste piece to finish the bottom cut from the inside will get that finished before I quit tonight and maybe lay out the door if the honey doesn't start calling me in!

SOILhunter · Post by **SOILhunter** » September 27th, 2012, 9:15 pm

Got it...next time I'll cut the door and do some cleaning up inside..full of rust everywhere. After that I think it should be smooth sailing, I hope anyway. Im using my buddies shop for the build as its well equipped, also just found out he has one of those fancy circular saws I can use for all my plate, can't wait to try it out!

Gizmo · Post by **Gizmo** » September 28th, 2012, 5:56 am

Frank did a video on here somewheres showing how to run one of those saws ... fwiw

The Czar · Post by **The Czar** » September 28th, 2012, 11:00 am

Here is screen shot....sorry I can't post links thru my phone....but you should be able to find the thread from that ...

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Gizmo · Post by **Gizmo** » September 28th, 2012, 11:32 am

Nice avatar DC!

SOILhunter · Post by **SOILhunter** » September 28th, 2012, 12:13 pm

Just watched them this morning on the way to work, I read some of his other threads about it also. My buddy has ye evolution rage and I read where someone wasn't happy with it...hopefully I don't burn it up for him!

The Czar · Post by **The Czar** » September 28th, 2012, 1:49 pm

Frank has one of those too....but since he scored that band saw the evolution is collecting dust....and thanks Rick ....I thought it appropriate ....

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