Mini Steel Cost

[Cole]

Good Afternoon,

I am in the process of making a Mini GF plus 6 inches, just got steel price and it seems high, $1400 for everything cut. Was expecting significantly less. What are people seeing in steel and labor to cut?

[Mat]

Good Afternoon,

I am in the process of making a Mini GF plus 6 inches, just got steel price and it seems high, $1400 for everything cut. Was expecting significantly less. What are people seeing in steel and labor to cut?

And that’s for the mini?



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[Cole]

Yes, plus 6 inches taller

[Mat]

Yes, plus 6 inches taller

That’s almost double from what I was guessing. I’m thinking about building one after the first of the year.


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[Mat]

Yes, plus 6 inches taller

That’s almost double from what I was guessing. I’m thinking about building one after the first of the year.


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What area of the country are you in?


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[Cole]

Mid-West South of Detroit, I am going after another quote, I think they are way high.

[Cole]

The labor to cut is the largest part, so I am also going thru the list again to get long lengths (like 12') and 4'x4' sheets to cut down.

[Squiggle]

Yeah, getting it in sheets & lengths is definitely cheaper, but there is a lot of steel in these things. Plus, building it yourself is much much cheaper than buying one for $4-5k & way more satisfying .

[Mat]

I agree building is cheaper, but a small Assassin or T&k that is almost identical to this mini is 1600-2400.


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[Heatermeter builder]

I purchased all laser cut steal for my double pan and was between $1400 and $1600. I had to redo the door so that added another $215 for 11 gauge sheet and 14 gauge tubes all laser cut. And I need to add another $45 for some angle iron that was not in the plans.

Call multiple places, as I found prices all over the map

[Mat]

That’s more like what I figured for a double pan would cost.


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[Squiggle]

That sounds like a lot, as I mentioned, I bought sheets & lengths & cut it all myself(probably took a bit longer to make) & I think I spent about $1200-1500 AUD in total to make my mini & steel is much more expensive in Australia.

AJ should be able to give you a rough cost of when he made his DP.

[Cole]

I will keep you posted, I called a fabricator I know that has the tubing.

[ajfoxy]

Squiggle said:
AJ should be able to give you a rough cost of when he made his DP.

I think a bit difficult to compare Australian to US prices as their steel is definitely cheaper. My DP steel was leaning towards A$1700 if remember correctly. But then I think I got handled by a few of the steel suppliers. Much wiser now...

Cole, perhaps see what it would cost via a laser cutting company if they provide steel etc. Save a heap of work.
I have a cnc plasma table and it was still a fair bit of sweat getting all the bits cut ... and sometimes recut. Doing it by hand would be a tad harder.

As for purchasing a built unit... there is a lot to be said for making something yourself, it is yours, you own the whole process and you can alter and add as you go. Whereas a store bought one ... you get what you get... good, bad or indifferent.

[Cole]

AJ,

Thanks. Will keep you posted.

[Weldun]

I have less than $800.00 in my mini but the only steel I purchased was angle iron,tubing and sheeting but I also cut all my own material. In my opinion your better off cutting your own sheeting when it comes time to skin your smoker as I'm sure many can attest to things don't always go as planned and when your sheets are precut you really can handcuff yourself.

[Heatermeter builder]

I have less than $800.00 in my mini but the only steel I purchased was angle iron,tubing and sheeting but I also cut all my own material. In my opinion your better off cutting your own sheeting when it comes time to skin your smoker as I'm sure many can attest to things don't always go as planned and when your sheets are precut you really can handcuff yourself.

It just makes it unique, lol

[Cole]

Working on the I will cut it list, laying out the sheeting and making sure I can handle the size I order safely, hopefully in in other week or so I have have revised prices to share.

[Rodcrafter]

When I first began building fishing rods, the teacher said "if you want to build rods to save money you are wasting your time". The thing is you can build custom when you build whatever it is. So I agree with AJ on that point.

jm2cw

[pr0wlunwoof]

Look at purchasing a plasma cutter, ltd5000d. I have one and love it. That and a 220 plug and your cutting like a hot knife through butter. You would probably save enough to pay for it.
Also see if you can find someone with a cnc plasma and get a price from them.

Get them to break out the cost for material and itemize it. Then bring those numbers back here. My metal cost is sub 500.

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[Cole]

Got it, breaking everything out will take a few. I do like how Rodcrafter brought fishing into the discussion, started thinking about smoking some fish!

[Cole]

Cost update - PLEASE NOTE - I have made some changes, and all the costs still aren't in and I am cutting most everything.

Changes (If I remember them all) - Also Reference build post Cole's Mini + 6" HD:
- 6 inches taller
- 14 ga sheeting vs 16 ga.
- 8" vs 4" Legs
- 1/4" plates for legs and slam latch backing plates
- Couple additional shelves
- Filling firebox area with insulation
- I am using 11 ga tubing but from someone I know, they have off falls that many of the shorter pieces are coming from.

Costs so far (uncut):
- 14 ga sheets - $400
- Firebox plus 1/4" plates for legs and slam latch backing = $250
- 9 sheets of insulation (includes filling firebox area) = $139
- Slam latch, hinge and seal kit (large) = $269
- Wheels (free) - $0
- Tubing and exp metal estimate = $300 (may not know true cost due to source)
- Valves and pipe - $????

Total so far = $1,358

[Dirtytires]

Add in a few gauges, paint, consumables,a few hardware items and a smokebuilder sticker. Gonna push you real close to $2k.

[ajfoxy]

Yep, there is always going to be one more thing to get for it... even when it's finished.

[LivnDream]

sent ya a private msg with a link to ball valve source

joe