First Build

alesmoker · Post by **alesmoker** » November 28th, 2016, 7:11 pm

Progress has been slow but here's where I am on my first Smoker Build. 18" Sch 40 CS Pipe. 48" CC 16" FB. Got my pipe cut and started fabrication on the base frame today using 1.5"x 1.5" HSS Tube. I intend to post daily progress updates till she's done!

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Squiggle · Post by **Squiggle** » November 28th, 2016, 9:51 pm

Awesome stuff dude, but don't put a timeline on a smoker as it will inevitably get messed up by life! lol

alesmoker · Post by **alesmoker** » November 28th, 2016, 10:11 pm

Good call. Low and slow right?

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Squiggle · Post by **Squiggle** » November 29th, 2016, 1:05 am

Hahaha, that's it.

Post by **Rodcrafter** » November 29th, 2016, 6:43 am

Looks like you have the tools for the job. It shouldn't take too long, as long as work and life leaves you alone.

Making memories!

temurf · Post by **temurf** » November 29th, 2016, 1:44 pm

Looking forward to watching the progress.

alesmoker · Post by **alesmoker** » November 29th, 2016, 4:59 pm

Progress Report! Frame work is just about done! Still have to add casters and a bottom plate. Took a second to test fit the CC and she's already looking like a solid smoker. Stay tuned!

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temurf · Post by **temurf** » November 30th, 2016, 1:20 am

Awesome looking work dude.

Dirtytires · Post by **Dirtytires** » November 30th, 2016, 1:19 pm

Depending on how heavy your firebox is going to be, you might consider extending your frame and putting the wheels under it to better balance the weight. Mine is double walled and has a big warmer box on top. I put my wheels at the half way point but should have gone even farther back as my weight distribution is off quite a bit.

alesmoker · Post by **alesmoker** » November 30th, 2016, 11:55 pm

Dirtytires wrote:Depending on how heavy your firebox is going to be, you might consider extending your frame and putting the wheels under it to better balance the weight. Mine is double walled and has a big warmer box on top. I put my wheels at the half way point but should have gone even farther back as my weight distribution is off quite a bit.

I have a sneaking suspicion that you may be right. My FB is made out of the same pipe as the CC. I stuck pretty firm with the calculator on my FB being 1/3 the size of the CC. I'm going to go ahead and try with the current design but if it seems like the added weight negates the stability, it will be easy enough to add the extension on to the frame. Thanks for the input!

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Post by **Rodcrafter** » December 1st, 2016, 7:53 am

It all depends on the FB mine has a basket and ash pan but still doesn't effect the weight of the CC.

Making memories!

Dirtytires · Post by **Dirtytires** » December 1st, 2016, 11:21 am

Actually RC, I'm pretty sure it's the addition of that fancy shovel on the left that acts at a perfect counterweight for the extra mass of the firebox.

Squiggle · Post by **Squiggle** » December 1st, 2016, 2:45 pm

Post by **Rodcrafter** » December 1st, 2016, 5:11 pm

You're probably right DT

Making memories!

ACC · Post by **ACC** » December 2nd, 2016, 5:39 pm

Very Nice.

You may already have done so, but if you like, you can calculate the weight to help with determining stability. A reference guide can be downloaded from this site. http://sss-steel.com/steel-products/val ... l-products.

What are the dimensions of your pipe?

Others warned me and I found out that welding inside flanges on the CC door was a real pain. Before you go too far on the build, you might want to weld the inside flanges while you can still roll the pipe in its cradle. I wish I had.

ACC · Post by **ACC** » December 2nd, 2016, 5:48 pm

ACC wrote: What are the dimensions of your pipe?

Oops, I just saw your other thread with this information.

alesmoker · Post by **alesmoker** » December 2nd, 2016, 6:26 pm

Made some great progress on the Smoker today. Clockwise from top left: Brackets for lid handle. Welding in the front of the fire box. Plasma cutting the lid on the Cook Chamber. Opening to the firebox welded and ground smooth.

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alesmoker · Post by **alesmoker** » December 2nd, 2016, 6:35 pm

ACC wrote:
Others warned me and I found out that welding inside flanges on the CC door was a real pain. Before you go too far on the build, you might want to weld the inside flanges while you can still roll the pipe in its cradle. I wish I had.

Enlighten me...I had not planned on inner flanges on the CC door, just outer. Is this going to present a problem for me?

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ACC · Post by **ACC** » December 2nd, 2016, 11:48 pm

There are people who know better than I. I am just a newbie building my first pit. Inside flanges are not absolutely necessary and many people don't bother with them. However, it seems to me that a metal strap on the inside of the CC covering the top door seam would go a long ways towards keeping the heat from escaping through the seam. I still use an outside flange and gasket but the inside flange should greatly reduce the amount of heat/smoke entering the crack in the first place.

You don't want to weld on the door side of the inside flange. Otherwise, the weld buildup could interfere with the door. It can be very difficult and time consuming to grind it out, especially in the corners. (first hand experience speaking here) Welding the backside of the flange with the CC in its normal position is a real PITA -- you have to weld overhead, on the inside of the pipe where you can't get into position or see what you are doing. If you are able to rotate the pipe, you should be able to convert that nasty difficult weld into a nice and easy flat horizontal weld. Well, that is the theory anyways. I had already gone too far with my build and could not rotate my CC. It was not a pleasant welding experience. I thought I would mention this to you now so that you could avoid my mistake, if you want to.

I also installed an inside flange along the bottom of the CC door.

ACC · Post by **ACC** » December 2nd, 2016, 11:55 pm

Inside flanges are worth their weight in gold if you have to rehang your door. They give you something to rest the door on while you are making adjustments, etc.

Post by **Pete Mazz** » December 3rd, 2016, 5:37 am

I merged all the posts from the other threads into this build thread.

alesmoker · Post by **alesmoker** » December 3rd, 2016, 8:51 am

Thanks Pete! Sorry bout that. New to smokers AND forums!

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Post by **Rodcrafter** » December 3rd, 2016, 12:48 pm

That Pete sure is handy

Making memories!

Post by **Big T** » December 3rd, 2016, 10:40 pm

alesmoker · Post by **alesmoker** » December 5th, 2016, 5:53 pm

PROGRESS REPORT! Monday Funday! Glad to get back at it after the weekend! So stoked as it's actually looking like a smoker now! Fabbed up the hinges, handle and finished the outer gasket. Gonna need to plan a counterweight...that lid is HEAVY!

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