RF build got a fabrication question

Jmunson_3 · Post by **Jmunson_3** » December 7th, 2015, 3:06 pm

I am building a RF smoker from a 250 gallon propane tank and am stuck lol. I have all my sizes and measurements that I need but what I'm having trouble with is how to cut the FB to CC opening. I'm using a piece of pipe that is the same diameter as my tank and I know what size my opening should be but I can't figure out how to draw out the cut I need to make on the tank because of the cap on the tank. I may be overthinking it but if any of you pros (lol) have any tricks or tips for a newbie I would greatly appreciate it

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Post by **Pete Mazz** » December 7th, 2015, 4:57 pm

Trace the tank diameter on a piece of cardboard and use that, assuming you already know the overlap height.

http://planetcalc.com/4580/

Jmunson_3 · Post by **Jmunson_3** » December 7th, 2015, 6:04 pm

Yeah I know the height and thought about doing that but wasn't sure if it would be right considering I would have to wrap my cardboard template around the tank cap on the CC

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Jmunson_3 · Post by **Jmunson_3** » December 7th, 2015, 6:06 pm

Since my cc tank has a domed cap on the end it's throwing my thinking way off lol. I'm gonna try the template and see if it looks like it'll be close before I start cutting

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Post by **Pete Mazz** » December 7th, 2015, 8:22 pm

Oops. I didn't notice you mentioning the bell end on the tank. Do both the CC and FB have belled ends?

Jmunson_3 · Post by **Jmunson_3** » December 7th, 2015, 8:27 pm

No just the CC has the bell. The FB is just a piece of 30" pipe I've thought about it every which way and its kicking my butt trying to wrap my head around how it should be done

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Dirtytires · Post by **Dirtytires** » December 7th, 2015, 8:41 pm

I'm just a novice, but would it be possible to notch the tank the height of a cardboard cutout to attach the pipe. Cut small an increase notch as needed to get the proper fit and look. The actual cutout size would be in the cover plate of the pipe anyway, right?

Jmunson_3 · Post by **Jmunson_3** » December 7th, 2015, 9:00 pm

Yeah i don't see why I couldn't do that was just looking to not have to cut so many times since the tank is 5/16" thick and loves to eat cutting discs lol. I just want this thing to look good and function great so any advice I can get is greatly appreciated

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Post by **Rodcrafter** » December 7th, 2015, 9:51 pm

Since you know the size of the opening measure from the bottom of the tank using a square up the end. mark the highest point, with the tank level and sitting in the correct upright position then you can use the square across the tank and measure up the sides and mark the highest point. Then you can connect the dots, this takes care of the top mark but you will have to decide how far into the bell you're going to bring the FB in. To make it easier many people just cut the bell off, and weld flat plate on it. Much easier to get it done.

Making memories.

Post by **Pete Mazz** » December 8th, 2015, 4:47 am

If you could position the CC and FB at the correct heights, and sitting just far enough apart, you could use a straight edge laying along the FB tank and trace a line on the CC by moving the straight edge along the FB.

Jmunson_3 · Post by **Jmunson_3** » December 8th, 2015, 9:27 am

That makes the most sense to me I'll give it a try and let y'all know how it goes! Thanks for all the input

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cyberstrategist · Post by **cyberstrategist** » December 9th, 2015, 10:29 pm

If you can get the firebox to the right location and use a laser pointer to trace it on the bell end. It's pretty much the same idea as the straight edge. Keep your scrap if it's a clean cut and depending on how you cut or assemble, you can attach it as the damper.

-Cyber

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