Matt's Big Mack

[mattyj]

Hey Guys,

Finally got around to starting my MACK. Got the steel cut out last week and spent the weekend with a friend building the body and tacking the doors together.

Hoping to have it finished off next weekend all going to plan

[mattyj]

More photos

[Pete Mazz]

Nice! That's a great smoker

[towtruck]

Looking good!

[stanley_johnson]

More photos

Awesome

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[Big T]

[ajfoxy]

Coming along very nicely. Awesome

[Dirtytires]

Really cuts down on the build time when you have it pre-cut. Nice progress.

[mp4]

AWESOMENESS!

[mattyj]

Is it recommended to put gaskets on the doors?

[Dirtytires]

Yes....

[Frank_Cox]

Hey, that looks just like mine!!!
Nice job!!

[mattyj]

My friend has been working on getting the racks put together this weekend. May have gotten the wrong thickness mesh as it has been a bit tough to weld.

Any recommendation on what gasket I should use on the doors? And also recommendation on dial gauges? I was thinking the 3" Teltru Glow in the dark ones

Once the racks are made the plan is to mount it on a wheeled base that is motorised so I can move it around the backyard as you cant get a trailer behind the house. I have bought a 500w 24v motor off eBay with a chain and sprocket to go with it. Hopefully this will be strong enough to move it and get it on to the trailer for competitions.

Cant wait to get cooking on it

[Dirtytires]

Expanded metal is tough to weld. Think of a bunch of tack welds as opposed to a full seam weld. If it still burns thru, turn your heat down a bit and see if that helps.

I used a flat self-stick gasket from the site here. Couldn’t be happier as it was easy to apply, looks great and hasn’t needed any attention in almost 3 years. I think it was lava-rock brand.

And teltru gauges are awesome. Can’t go wrong with any of them.

I think you might be the first person to use a motorized platform. I’m interested to see how you integrate it and how it performs. Please keep us posted.

[towtruck]

Looks good so far.....that mesh does look like the thin stuff though.

[Chromeski]

Looks good so far, I'm interested to see the motorized base come to life. Turn down the voltage on the welder, I think you will be ok

[mattyj]

Yeah the mesh is only 2mm. I was struggling to find anything thicker here.

Im hoping I have the gearing right. I believe I only have a 5:1 ratio on the gearing but have small 4" sack barrow wheels. I may need to mount a winch on the trailer to get it on and off as the current design is lacking brakes

[shannonC]

Nice build. A little trick I use to weld expanded metal is I start my tack on the frame and kind of sweep over to the expanded. Turn your heat down as stated above. Once you get the hang its no biggie.

[ajfoxy]

Yes, as shannonC said, start your weld on the frame and sweep over to the mesh. And don't hang around too long. And at the end of the day you are only keeping the mesh from lifting and with enough tacks it ain't going nowhere.
Interesting idea about the motorising... will be watching that one... Other than that it is looking awesome.

[mattyj]

So we got the smoker finished and used it to compete at a local comp which we won
I have got it on temporary wheels until I finalize the how I am going to propel it

This thing is awesome! It is so easy to get it to hold temp all day long.

My only issue so far is the top tray is 50 degrees hotter than the bottom tray. Has anyone else had this issue? Could I add a baffle plate somewhere to mitigate this?

[mp4]

AWESOMENESS!!!

[towtruck]

Nice!

[Dirtytires]

Temp difference is pretty common. I have a little luck sometimes by adjusting the exaust damper but not always.

Congrats on the successful cook.

[Pete Mazz]

Congrats!

[ajfoxy]

Very nice. Congratulations on the win.