Getting started soon!

pr0wlunwoof · Post by **pr0wlunwoof** » June 13th, 2018, 7:39 pm

Looking good. When u start the skinning go slow. Tak weld every 4 inches. Fit inside all together then weld sheets together. Same for outside. Warping of sheets was the worst issue I ran into.

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Post by **Rodcrafter** » June 14th, 2018, 12:11 am

Yeah that! Good job

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BillyR52 · Post by **BillyR52** » June 24th, 2018, 12:01 am

Unexpected circumstances delayed progress. But was able to get back at it today.

After a little surface rust clean up I was able to get her on wheels and the fire box mounted in place. Hopefully tomorrow brings exterior skin and maybe some doors.

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ajfoxy · Post by **ajfoxy** » June 24th, 2018, 2:09 am

Coming along nicely... well done!

Post by **Big T** » June 24th, 2018, 12:21 pm

Dirtytires · Post by **Dirtytires** » June 24th, 2018, 8:52 pm

What is the temp of the helmet? I would cook till 203....

BillyR52 · Post by **BillyR52** » June 24th, 2018, 9:57 pm

Currently it’s stalled around 180. So I wrapped it in foil and am finishing it in the oven. I didn’t want the color to get any darker.

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Post by **Big T** » June 24th, 2018, 10:50 pm

BillyR52 · Post by **BillyR52** » June 24th, 2018, 11:55 pm

Got the bottom, top, and back tacked on. Thinking of using a small fire extinguisher for the smoke stack. Gotta play with that idea a little.

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Dirtytires · Post by **Dirtytires** » June 25th, 2018, 7:16 am

Great progress....looks like the helmet turned out perfect.....I’ll have to try one soon!

Post by **Rodcrafter** » June 27th, 2018, 9:22 am

BillyR52 · Post by **BillyR52** » June 30th, 2018, 9:29 am

Need some pictures of y’all hinges. I watched franks video on installing them, I feel like I understand it, but I can’t seem to get it right. I hate to admit but these things are whooping my @$$.

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JKalchik · Post by **JKalchik** » June 30th, 2018, 10:44 am

I'll admit they can be persnickety.

Make sure the zerk fittings face the right way.
Get them spaced out right.
Make sure the flanges face the right side.

You need a flat surface to mount the hinges on, and use a straight edge to align them. You want to keep the shafts as coaxial as possible so they don't bind.

As far as welding them on, they're awfully healthy, especially on the pin side. Burn 'em on hot. You really don't want the cook chamber door to move, it's only supported by the hinges, the latch provides no support at all. I was pleasantly surprised to find (viewtopic.php?f=149&t=6480&start=100#p100742)) that I managed to get my cook chamber door set up so well.

Dirtytires · Post by **Dirtytires** » June 30th, 2018, 2:52 pm

What part of the hinge install are you having trouble with?

BillyR52 · Post by **BillyR52** » June 30th, 2018, 9:30 pm

The door on top....as I typed this I had one of those ah ha moments. I was trying to weld it on with the smoker upright. I bet if I laid it on its side it would be a whole lot easier.....[emoji848]

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JKalchik · Post by **JKalchik** » June 30th, 2018, 10:14 pm

You're working on the charcoal chute door? I welded both small doors on my fixture table in a horizontal jig.

Brace your hinges up with a horizontal straight edge. Can you clamp it on with a couple of bar clamps to the far side of the door curbs?

Dirtytires · Post by **Dirtytires** » July 1st, 2018, 7:29 am

I would think a welding magnet would be your best friend here. I have also used painters masking tape to hold small things in position till I can tack them.

ajfoxy · Post by **ajfoxy** » July 1st, 2018, 5:40 pm

2nd the painters tape... used lots of times. And if it burns up, no biggie, by that time you have it securely tacked. I've also used Stronghand MagTab for holding small bits on. Works well.

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