Fuel Tank Build - ODB

[mp4]

Starting my 1st fuel barrel build for a buddy. He wants to learn to weld some, so I'm doing some prep work so he can do some assembly welding when he gets a chance to come out.

Here is the tank upside down to fill with water.

I've seen tons of 265 gallon barrels, but this one is about 1/2 the size of them coming in at just under 130 gallons.

Here's the general concept.

[mp4]

I had the firebox metal sheared last week and fitted thing up. I went with 1/4" for everything except for the door that I went 3/8".

Today I cut out the throat and air inlets and fitted up the dampers.

[Big T]

It looks like you're off to a great start. That'll be a nice size cooker.

[Dirtytires]

Looking nice. I agree....great size.

[towtruck]

That will be a nice one.

[mp4]

My buddy is coming out this weekend to work on his smoker. I've been focusing on getting things close so he can do some of the fun stuff...like welding the firebox together and fitting it to the tank.

I had filled the tank with water just to be on the safe side and cut a smaller opening for the door so it didn't have to be too fussy - big enough to burn it out, small enough that it was well inside the door frame.

[Dirtytires]

Looks like a great start. Sounds like a fun weekend ahead.

[mp4]

We clamped up the firebox and I tacked it in place. Anyone that says you can have enough clamps is sorely mistaken.



I might have melted a clamp pad...I guess it wasn't important anyway!



My buddy welded up the firebox. It is the 1st time he's ever done any real welding, so he got a quick lesson with some scraps and then welded the inside of the firebox.



Kudos to Pete and his 1/2 moon calculator. Spot on perfect when we fit the firebox to the cook chamber.

[dacolson]

You giving him the hard lesson on short sleeves in an enclosed space

[mp4]

You giving him the hard lesson on short sleeves in an enclosed space

He sleved up shortly afterward with a little encouragement. I offered boots to him but he had to learn that lesson the hard way. I know a good drop of slag between the toes did it for me!

[dacolson]

I still don’t learn. Burn myself between the fingers yesterday wearing a thin pair of gloves.

[towtruck]

I burn myself all the time, I weld in short sleeves and my arms look like a heroin addict with track marks in the creases. The other day I was in flip flops and needed to weld something....tossed a wet towel over my feet and went at it....I might be dumb but I'm smart about it

[dacolson]

Hahaha. Truth

[mp4]

There's no dumbness going on in this shot either!

[dacolson]

Ah yes, the old safety squint. Fool proof, tier 1 eye protection. Good on ya. You’ll be able to hear at least.

[mp4]

It was a dumb pose to send to his wife...look close and you'll see he has a mig gun in one hand and a plasma torch in the other.

[dacolson]

Lol. Missed the plasma in the dark. Good stuff

[Dirtytires]

Glad he got a little welding time in. Always nice to say you helped on a project.

[Big T]

I hear it from my wife all the time, you bought leather sleeves, gloves and an expensive shield and you come home all burnt up. I tell her that I wasn't getting all dressed up to make a few tacks

[mp4]

It's been a while...this summer was busy siding my house and I didn't get a lot done until recently. It is 'cook ready' but needs some finishing touches like handles, temp probe access and a shelf for the temp monitor.

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[Dirtytires]

Really nice pit. I really like the door latch on it...might have to use one of those someday.

[mp4]

Really nice pit. I really like the door latch on it...might have to use one of those someday.

I didn't leave enough room inside the square doors to make an internal latch and I didn't want to putt toggle latches in it. The kit was $23 (no pipe) and I can make 2 door latches from it. I didn't figure that was a bad deal.

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[CanSmoke]

Im wanting to build one just like it soon. I'm curious how you did the stack opening on the inside.

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[towtruck]

Nice!

[mp4]

Im wanting to build one just like it soon. I'm curious how you did the stack opening on the inside.

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I have it open top to bottom. I don't have a picture of this one, but I do of on similar from a couple years back.

I fit it to the cook chamber. Once I'm happy with how it lines up I mark it, fire up the plasma cutter and then weld it in.