Bkndsdl's Insulated Hybrid

[Rodcrafter]

There is always some pot hole in the road of life coming up it seems. It comes down to the suspension that holds you up. Sounds like you are supported by the best. You will be fine, so get back to work on that smoker before the new job doesn't allow you the time you will need.

I have prayed for you too!

[Bkndsdl]

WOW...........you guys are awesome. Who knew a smoker building website and forum would be the place for prayers and encouragement in keeping things God centered..........This really means a lot, thanks guys.


Well I TRIED to work on it yesterday, went to Lowes and got a few interim cutting discs before I can get to Harbor Freight to get a few packs of them for the same price. of all things to forget, I forgot to get a new hole saw; the new couplings are smaller in diameter.....hey, I got out there and did attempt to do something though!

[Rodcrafter]

Good keep moving forward.

[The Czar]

It'll pan out...just keep up your spirits and smoke on!!!

[Bkndsdl]

Good keep moving forward.

It'll pan out...just keep up your spirits and smoke on!!!

Thanks for the encouragement guys!

Finally got to finish the doors yesterday, and got the second one insulated BEFORE I put the skin on! How's that for progress? I made some doubler plates to go over the holes that were too big. Drilled the new size in the center of the doubler, and welded them on. I did this on both doors.



And here they are welded out. Not the best, but getting the hang of it again. I need to get some weld spatter spray.....



Nipple of pipe installed to protect the threads during welding.



Once that was done, I was able to work on the firebox some. Here's how I plan on making it sliding; I slit two sq tubes down the middle, and slid one inside the other. My plan is to suspend the firebox on this. Here's the slots:





Here's the firebox with the tubes welded on. I will hopefully get the grating in today after work.



Thanks for looking!

[Rodcrafter]

Nice work, that's what I'm talking about.

[Bkndsdl]

Nice work, that's what I'm talking about.

Thanks man!

Got the sliding coal basket built and installed; it slides, not as easy as I wanted but it does what I need it to do. Maybe a bit more grinding on the tube slots will make it slide a bit easier.

Here's the grating installed; I simply cut the side pieces and bent them at a 45 by clamping them between the table and a piece of angle, then pushed it down to the right angle. Then I welded them in place. This should hold all the charcoal I need for anything I cook.......



Next pic is the basket installed.



And here it is slid out. I plan on adding some stops so it can't be pulled all the way out without pulling a pin or something.

[Rodcrafter]

I put a pin on each side for just that reason. The basket full of hot stuff I didn't want it landing on my toe.

[Bkndsdl]

Well I'm back! When I was laid off, I lost my only computer so I haven't been able to update guys. Long time coming, but I have a new computer and am back at it! I have done some work on the smoker, and I will post some updates soon.

Glad to be back!!

[Rodcrafter]

Welcome back!


Making memories.

[Big T]

[forty_creek]

Welcome back!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Bkndsdl]

Thanks for the welcome back, guys!!

My dad passed away while I was laid off. He fought diabetes for 25 years and it finally took its toll. Dad isn't hurting anymore, mom isn't stressed to the max taking care of him, and he's in a much better place.

My mom nor any of my sibs really get into the smoking thing, so mom gave me his MES and his 18" weber kettle. They have been serving as my smokers while I got back on my feet with the new smoker. I really, really like both of these smokers.

While driving by a house in the neighborhood that always has stuff for sale out front, something caught my eye - a 22-1/2" kettle. Got it for $10!! the inside cleaner / damper was rusted completely off, the charcoal grate was missing, the ash catcher was gone, one handle was missing, and one leg kept popping out of place. I ordered the damper and an ash catcher, a thermometer, found a handle at lowes, and I got me a nice grill!

[Rodcrafter]

If I could find one for $10.00 I would use the top on an uds. But then an kettle is cool too.


Making memories.

[Bkndsdl]

New damper.



Here's the new thermometer. This lid didn't have one originally, so I put my step bit to work and made a new hole. Put it as close to the grate as I felt I could.



New handle, I like how it has a utensil hanger built in to the sides. Looks like the PO got some paint on it.......I can live with it!

[Bkndsdl]

Lil bro cut down some trees in his yard, either Bradford pear or ornamental apple, not sure which. He gave it to me, and even had it delivered to the house. I think I can put it to use, what do you guys think? I need to rent a splitter now, and I have to make some kind of rack to store it.......I have no idea how to make one so as to dry the wood properly......any help?

[Bkndsdl]

Here's what I got done sofar. This is the beginning of the firebox to horizontal sliding door. The arm will move the rods which will move the flatbar up and down.



Never throw anything away.......these are the slugs left over from the holes I drilled in the doors for the couplings.



Welded them on the end of some rod.

[Bkndsdl]

Here's the actuating arm that will be on the outside. The arm for the inside will be longer so that the rotation needed is minimal.



Here is the placement. The soapstone marks are where the center of the actuating rod needs to be. I ended up moving it quite a bit from this location.



Open......



Closed.





My actuation arm for the time being......just so I could get it moving without installing everything. I had to mock it up to get the actuation arms the right length, and the rotation right. This took a whole day to get just right.

[Bkndsdl]

New stuff came in! I ordered the tadpole gasket and the adhesive.



3/8" bulb, 1-1/8" length.

[Bkndsdl]

If I could find one for $10.00 I would use the top on an uds. But then an kettle is cool too.

That was my original idea too, but when I found the prices of replacement parts were so cheap I decided to use it instead of building another UDS.

[forty_creek]

Strong Work!


Drankin, Smokin and Dreamin

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Big T]

Glad to see that you're back at it !

[Bkndsdl]

I got the horizontal doors hung.



I used 1/2" sch80 smls pipe and 1/2" rod for the hinges. I cut the pipe into 2" lengths and slid them on a rod long enough to go the entire length of the smoker so I could hang both doors at once.



I cut a few small pieces of gasket to use as shims to get the gap set right.





Both doors on.



Here they are open and done! I mounted the handles too, they aren't welded out yet.



Thanks for looking!

[Big T]

That's going to be a sweet rig when you get finished

[Bkndsdl]

That's going to be a sweet rig when you get finished

Thanks man! Wife gave me a new due date, I have been told she wants turkey for Thanksgiving done in the smoker, so I gotta hurry up!!