Another Mini Build Log

[Squiggle]

Wholly Dooley!! My missus would have my marbles in a vice if I built mine on the dining room floor

Looks awesome though, nice work! & I bet that won't be the last thing you have to re-do, I lost count of the things I had to do over, lol.

[Rodcrafter]

You guys have some funny phrases in the out back. lol [emoji23]


Making memories!

[temurf]

I think my missus would have spat the dummy long before I got to that stage of the build if I had tried that...

Not sure what that means, but I'm guessing that it aint good.

[ajfoxy]

As in a child spitting out the dummy when it is upset. A colloquial saying similar to "chucking all the toys out the cot" Basically when someone is REALLY upset.

[Rodcrafter]

I had to look it up "dummy" = pacifier.

[wbegg]

I understood it. Just got back to the states last year after 4 years in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia.

[Squiggle]

Lol, yeah we do talk funny!

[BitBucket]

Did a mock-up of FB to frame today, and really glad I did. I found 1 piece of tubing I welded in the wrong place (The one that supports the diffuser). What a PITA. Cut out old part, ground down, and go it in the right place now.

I'm a few days behind on this thread but it sounds like exactly the same thing I did on my mini build wbegg.

That moment of realization where you do test fit and are scratching your head and going, "No way this can be right--where's those plans?!?"

[wbegg]

In lieu of cutting the grass today, I decided to get the frame on wheels (temporarily) before I start skinning the cat, and add the fire box. took MUCH longer than I thought. I should have had the fab shop cut the squares for the mounting as well. Thank you Harbor Freight for having fixed casters, as my Amazon order for 2 swivel and 2 fixed arrived with 4 swivel casters.

OH, and my Vegetarian Boss at work (I know) has nicknamed this build "The Crematorium". I like the name and may do a laser cut logo on the front door.

[ajfoxy]

That is looking good. Nice wheels too. And there's nothing wrong with four swivel wheels. Sometimes you need to manoever into a tight spot and four swivels allows you to. Two swivel and two fixed make it a multi point turn... just saying...

[wbegg]

That is looking good. Nice wheels too. And there's nothing wrong with four swivel wheels. Sometimes you need to manoever into a tight spot and four swivels allows you to. Two swivel and two fixed make it a multi point turn... just saying...

Good point. I may put the other two swivels on.

[Big T]

Nice

[temurf]

[Rodcrafter]

Yes look [emoji102] ing good


Making memories!

[wbegg]

Dang! Starting to weld the inside sheets on. Man It's quite the task doing this with a grinder cut-off wheel. Ran into a stump, and am trying to figure out how to bend plate "B" (drip pan plate). Harbor Freight has a 36 inch bender, but only rated for 20 g metal, but just a 6 degree bend so may give it a go. Any suggestions?

[ajfoxy]

If you have a very sturdy work bench clamp the steel with angle iron underneath (to give a sharper bend) a piece of angle on top to hold it straight etc.
Then gently tap with a hammer along the fold line. The operative word is gently. You want to sloooowwwllly bend the metal. Once you have the bend you want put the bent piece (small piece) on the angle iron and tap it straight.
Alternatively get the HF bender if you might use it again. But if you are going to be building more smokers I might suggest getting a decent bender anyway.

[Rodcrafter]

You can cut the pieces and weld them back together at the right fit. You will need to this pretty cold, or use heavier plate for this piece. There are always more than one option.


Making memories!

[Squiggle]

I put a flat bottom on & the welded in another piece for the slope, much easier!

[wbegg]

I put a flat bottom on & the welded in another piece for the slope, much easier!

So I bought a 30" $58 break from Harbor Freight, and that 16 gauge metal laughed at it. I ended up doing as you did - 2 pieces welded together. You were right. Much easier and turned out fine.

For the inside panels, I'm just welding the outside, as not to show my crappy welds. My idea was to line the internal corners with high temp, food grade silicon caulk to give it a finished look inside. How is everyone else approaching this?

Hopefully tomorrow I can get the rest of the inside panels welded in, and the fire box positioned and welded in.

It's coming along slowly, but MAN is this fun!

[ajfoxy]

I must admit it I took the easy way out. It looked way too hard to do it in pieces. I stumped up for a finger brake capable of bending 2 mm along its length and bent the cook chamber sides. Then bent the floor and lid and fitted them and welded it up like that. Although the way you are doing it makes for good welding practice. I'm just a lazy bugger and my excuse is I need to purchase some tools now while I am still earning before I retire. Hey, I'm sticking to that excuse it has worked so far.

[wbegg]

I must admit it I took the easy way out. It looked way too hard to do it in pieces. I stumped up for a finger brake capable of bending 2 mm along its length and bent the cook chamber sides. Then bent the floor and lid and fitted them and welded it up like that. Although the way you are doing it makes for good welding practice. I'm just a lazy bugger and my excuse is I need to purchase some tools now while I am still earning before I retire. Hey, I'm sticking to that excuse it has worked so far.

That's a Bobby Dazzler! Good on ya, Mate!

I thought about the same thing, as I usually get into projects and buy a tool for one purpose thinking I may have a use for it in the future. Most of the time, it ends up in storage as most of my stuff did for 4 years while in Kalgoorlie, WA, but still keep everything 'cause I know I'll need it someday.

[Rodcrafter]

You guys sound like the tool hoarder I have been known for.

I was told that either you will learn to weld nicer or grinding will become a large part of the process.

You don't have to weld all of the inside and outside of the inner panels, but it is good practice. I would only tack the outside as i put it together, but do complete welding on the inside to seal her up nice.

jm2cw

[Squiggle]

[wbegg]

Finished up on the inside panels today. Man, what a lot of welding. I decided to make cutting the panels out a bit easier with the purchase of a Hobart AirForce 12ci plasma cutter. I hesitated, but decided to take the leap. I'm having too much fun, so I'm sure I'll build more so I'll definitely have a use for it in the future.

[Rodcrafter]

You sound like a buddy of our named Puff. He said when he first started I got a "free" oil tank I'm going to build a smoker for my friend. 2 years later he had acquired all the tools in a fab shop and built many smokers. I sure him.


Making memories!