I've been lurking for a month or so; finally decided to let y'all know I'm really enjoying this forum and watching the progress of some awesome looking smokers as they're being built.
I live in the Texas Hill Country as far away from Austin as possible, while at the same time close enough to visit for a few hours if need arises.
After spending 20yrs as an EMT/paramedic, I've decided a career change is needed, because riding on an ambulance pulling 24/48hr shifts is a younger persons gig (and I'd rather be sleeping at 3am rather than running the roads).
While I contemplate what's next, I've always wanted to build a BBQ smoker and learn the art of the blue smoke, so that's what brought me here to you fine folks.
I also have a few years of industrial welding & fabrication experience building bulk liquid storage tanks for the oil/petrochemical industry (ranging from a tiny 80gal up to a massive 15,000gal) so building a smoker shouldn't be too terribly hard. I just wish I had built at least one back then, when I had all the welding equipment, forklifts, overhead hoists/cranes and other equipment at my disposal.
My awesome wife bought me a Hobart 210MVP mig/flux welder for Christmas which is pretty awesome and just the right size for my needs, and I'm almost ready to draw up a design and get started on my first RF smoker. I was thinking of something similar to Squiggle's Wombat, but just a smidgen larger.
In closing, I'm sure I'll have plenty of questions along the way as I build, and I look forward to hearing the valuable input/advice/expertise you guys can provide!
-TM
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Howdy folks!
-
ajfoxy
- Expert
- Posts: 2364
- Joined: April 12th, 2016, 8:07 pm
- Title: Neophyte Smoker Bldr
- BBQ Comp Team Name: Not competing yet...
- Location: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Re: Howdy folks!
And if you need info from Squiggle just ask. He is a very helpful feller.
Learning generally boils down to "Repetition or the avoidance of pain", some people learn by doing, some by watching and some just have to pee on the electric fence.
Whether you think that you can, or that you can't, you are usually right. Henry Ford
Whether you think that you can, or that you can't, you are usually right. Henry Ford
-
Squiggle
- Expert
- Posts: 2611
- Joined: December 19th, 2015, 5:04 pm
- Title: Reformed non-smoker!
- BBQ Comp Team Name: Not competing yet...
- Location: Mole Creek, Tasmania
Re: Howdy folks!
& yeah, what he said! I've heard he's a bit of a nutter though. 
Formerly known as "Hey you there in the bushes!"
-
Pete Mazz
- Administrator
- Posts: 3399
- Joined: February 16th, 2013, 8:19 am
- Title: Meathead
- Location: Bucks County, PA
Re: Howdy folks!
Welcome!!
If it's tourist season, how come I can't shoot 'em?
Don't speak the language? Try this: Smoker Terminology
Try my SmokerBuilder Calculators
Don't speak the language? Try this: Smoker Terminology
Try my SmokerBuilder Calculators
-
Rodcrafter
- Moderator
- Posts: 8488
- Joined: July 21st, 2012, 5:46 pm
- Title: Member
- BBQ Comp Team Name: Not competing yet...
- Location: Orlando, Florida
Re: Howdy folks!
Welcome to the crew!
Since you want something like Squiggle made maybe search for the Mack I bet it would fit the ticket.
Making memories!
Since you want something like Squiggle made maybe search for the Mack I bet it would fit the ticket.
Making memories!
Current Smokers: Backyard RF Offset and Hybrid RF Offset trailer rig with Cowboy cooker and fish fryer, always room for more........
-
ajfoxy
- Expert
- Posts: 2364
- Joined: April 12th, 2016, 8:07 pm
- Title: Neophyte Smoker Bldr
- BBQ Comp Team Name: Not competing yet...
- Location: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Re: Howdy folks!
There you go RC... setting me off again with talk of the Mack...
Plans for the Mack ready / nearly ready / almost ready / not in your lifetime?
Plans for the Mack ready / nearly ready / almost ready / not in your lifetime? Learning generally boils down to "Repetition or the avoidance of pain", some people learn by doing, some by watching and some just have to pee on the electric fence.
Whether you think that you can, or that you can't, you are usually right. Henry Ford
Whether you think that you can, or that you can't, you are usually right. Henry Ford
-
temurf
- Expert
- Posts: 916
- Joined: May 12th, 2016, 7:37 pm
- Title: Train Driver
- BBQ Comp Team Name: Rednecks con Fuego
- Location: El Paso, Texas
Re: Howdy folks!
Good to have you around.
The Hill Country sure is beautiful. I plan to retire around there in about 10 years or so.
And this "Mack" they speak of is definitely more than a smidge bigger than Squiggle's Wombat.
Yer gonna like what we've been smokin'.