First time builder. 20"x40" ish.

[12ring]

I cut all new door seals again and put on the new hinges. Took forever to get the seals on straight and flush. All welds are on the inside. It was worth the time because it came out tight and looks good. The only weld on the outside is where the seal sides meet the top and bottom but I’ll grind those flush.

I also put on my intake handle but I don’t know if I like it. It’s elk antler. I like the elk antler but not sure I’ll leave the point on it. It sticks out a little far. I might just use a 3”-4” of a straight piece.









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[temurf]

Looking good.
I kinda like the intake handle the way it is. Just my opinion.

[12ring]

Fabricated up some parts today. Finally got a real handle on the cook chamber and made a dampener for the stack. All I have left now is a fire box door handle and then grind up some areas that need a little touch up. I should be done Monday. Then I’ll get it sand blasted and figure out how to paint it. I’m so ready to be done with it so I can light a fire.










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[Big T]

It won't be long and she'll be puffing thin blue smoke

[Squiggle]

Awesome work dude, I bet you're getting excited!

[Rodcrafter]

[temurf]

Looking good.

[12ring]

Got my FB door handle done. I’m still not sure I like the elk antler or not. I’m so ready to be done with it that it might have to do for now. Grinder touch up and then paint. The finish line is near.


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[Big T]

That's an easy swap if you decide that you want to do something different later on.

[JuanC]

Awesome build, plan on building one similar to it. What size flat bar did you end up using on the cooking chamber door flanges? Same size for the firebox? I was thinking of using 1.25”x 1/8” for the cooking chamber and 3/16” for the firebox. Looks to be plug welded. Last question is what size square tubing did you go with for the frame? Thickness? Thanks for your help.

[12ring]

Finally got my smoker back from the sand blaster after a month and a half. Ridiculous.

They did a good job but the blasting uncovered a lot of my imperfections in welding. There quite a few holes. I’ll post a few pics of them. I don’t want to fill them in with welds as it will splatter the newly blasted areas. I wonder if I can get away with hiding them with paint?









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[12ring]

I bought cheap Harbor freight casters that were rated at 400 pounds and that was a big mistake.



I went to a place that only sells casters and purchased these. They are way more beefy. Now I need to figure out how to get this thing off the ground to cut off the old ones and weld on the new ones.




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[12ring]

Some of the welds with holes.






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[mp4]

Paint it. 1/2 of Chicgo won't see it and the other 1/2 won't care. [emoji41]

Too much is just right!

[Mokoro]

Jeez your welds look good... I'd be happy if my smoker just had little holes like that!

[Rodcrafter]

Just use your forklift. Oh that wasn’t right was it? lol


Making memories!

[12ring]

I added a thermometer port and made a little shelf big enough to hold a maverick or a smoke thermometer. I was going to just muscle opening and closing the door but realized it was to heavy fir my wife to lift (not that she touches my smokers) so I added a counter balance that acts as my door stop as well.

I’m sure there’s some math equation I could have used to figure out angles and weight but I just eyeballed it (after a few coldies) and it feels just right. I used 3”x3” square tubing and filled it with sand until o got the weight right.










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[Big T]

Nice!


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[Rodcrafter]

[Dirtytires]

Nice build.....now go cook something and be the envy of the neighborhood.

[ajfoxy]

And don't forget the Q-view

[Rodcrafter]

Yeah that!


Making memories!

[Squiggle]

[Mokoro]

I really like the small thermometer shelf.. might copy that idea!

[12ring]

Well I finally painted it. I messed up though. I went with a flat black at first. Then I thought it needed a little semi gloss. I only painted the door before realizing I didn’t like the semi gloss after all.

I lightly sanded it and re painted it with the flat but now the door is darker. I ended up with a two tone smoker. Oh well. I’m going to use it for now and see what it looks like in a few months. I’ll think about repainting it then if it’s driving me nuts.

A lot of people on here helped with questions I had so I really appreciate it. I haven’t welded in 20 years so there’s a few not so pretty spots. I point them out to people but they keep telling me I’m the only one that will notice it.








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