Tim's gravity feed (mini)

[Tim Schmidt]

Thanks for the response. Your build is coming along nicely.
That would work. I was hoping to avoid emptying the feed tube after each use. I imagine after a while I will figure out how much charcoal it will take for a given amount of smoking time.

[Puff]

That is exactly the method I use on my GF, Tim... Guessing the smaller one will benefit from half the chimney or so.
I usually wait about an hour though for the smoke to really thin out and the temps to rise before even thinking about putting anything in it. Even when I use only lump, if I place a small "split" in the ash box it provides REALLY great flavor. Within 15 minutes it starts burning on its own.

[Tim Schmidt]

I have made some progress over the past few weeks. The build is taking me a bit longer than anticipated. I was able to finish the cook chamber. I welded the firebox/charcoal chute in place. I am now fitting and tacking some of the exterior skins.
I think I finally figured out some of the bugs in my welding technique.. I am actually looking forward to welding the exterior skins together. I also welded the main door, side door, and chute door. They turned out really nice.

[Big T]

[CaliforniaSmoke]

Tim, looking really good!

What did you do at opening where the smoke transfer tube comes into the cook chamber? (your second picture) It looks like you added an inner skin between the cook chamber and the firebox assembly (good idea). How did you weld around the smoke transfer tube where it joins to the cook chamber? That seems like it might be a bit tricky -- especially along the bottom and back of the transfer tube. Did you weld it from the cook chamber side or from the firebox side?

[Tim Schmidt]

CS
There is a skin on the firebox side. I framed the opening where the transfer tube goes through with scrap square tubing. It gave the opening more support, and I was able to get a nice tight fit with the transfer tube. I also found that it was a lot easier welding the transfer tube to the opening. I did not get any weld through. I welded the transfer tube on the cook chamber side. It was actually not that difficult. I was able to position myself in the cook chamber enough to get a real nice weld. As far as the bottom weld, i turned the smoker upside down. It was a bit tight, but again the welds turned out nice. I also insulated between the two skins. I was going to put inner and outer skins on the rest of the firebox cavity, but I think I will just use exterior skins. I plan on filling this chamber with my remaining insulation. I was thinking of putting some sort of heat shield around the firebox, so there is not direct contact with the insulation. I started fitting and tacking the exterior skins together. I purchased a set of metal hole saws by Milwaukee. They cut through the sheet metal without any problem..

[CaliforniaSmoke]

Tim, I just noticed that you welded a coupler to the side of your ash box instead of the pipe nipple itself -- great idea, that probably made it much easier to get the FB in place that if you'd welded the pipe directly to the assembly.

[Tim Schmidt]

CS
There is a short threaded nipple welded to the firebox. Coupler is screwed to the nipple. Your right, I thought is would be easier during the assembly process, not to have a long pipe sticking out of the firebox.

[Tim Schmidt]

Just finished welding all the exterior skins, and ground the outside corners, will post photo's soon.
I do have a question in regards to the legs. Do you all feel that welding the base of leg directly to the bottom skin will be strong enough, or should I cut a small section out of the skin and directly weld it to the frame?
Also I will be ready to paint soon. Other than sandblasting or sanding, is there any chemical application to remove the protective black layer from the metal prior to painting.
Thanks again.
Tim

[Big T]

I haven't built one of these but I prefer to attach my legs to the frame work. I'm not sure about chemicals but if you're worried about the sand causing pitting, you could have it soda blasted.

[Rodcrafter]

I would for sure cut the skin away and weld the legs to the framework.


Making memories.

[Puff]

When I did the legs on the big gf, I had welded 3/16 X 5" squares to the inside frame corners. Then when the bottom skin was attached, the notched corners ( of the same dimensions) made it easy to attach the legs directly to those plates

[Rodcrafter]

Now you're talking


Making memories.

[Puff]

Maybe you can see these in this photo.

[nosc]

Hi, What are the outside dimensions of the mini WxLxH?

And what will it weigh once finished?

[Tim Schmidt]

Dimensions of the smoker are 32" high, 26" wide and 30.5" deep. This does not include the height of the legs. I am making mine about 12" to accommodate a shelf. I have not weighed it yet, but I am assuming it is near 300#.

[scottyk]

Any updated pictures of this one with the welded on sheetmetal?

Very nice looking build!

[Tim Schmidt]

Scotty K
Attached image of an outside corner.
I held the edges back just a bit. Used .035 wire..
Was able to weld both edges to frame in one pass.
Ground edge flat with grinding wheel, then finished up with abrasive fabric wheel.

[Tim Schmidt]

Finished welding today.
I made a wheeled frame that I will attach to smoker with rivnuts.
Welded on all hinges, used pennies for spacers. Set all rivnuts for latches, and hold downs.
I am going to acid wash tomorrow, and hopefully get a coat of primer on..

[Puff]

Tim!

Really nice work you've done. I stretched the pictures to look closely and looking forward to seeing this baby painted...I'll bet it looks beautiful. Any color ideas yet? .what are you using to acid wash the metal?

[Tim Schmidt]

Thanks Puff,
I've learned a lot from this build.
Going to use phosphoric acid. Applied it to bottom, this afternoon. Let it sit for about 15 minutes. After it dried, I was able to remove the black coating on the metal using fine sand paper. I'm going to acid wash the rest tomorrow, I'm hoping I can power wash the coating off. Originally was going to get it sandblasted, but could not find anyone local to do it for less than $250.
Not sure on color yet, will probably go with black and red. Still planning on some sort of folding shelf for the side.
I'm hoping to wrap things up this week. My wife has a long honey due list.

[Tim Schmidt]

So I wanted to share a photo of my smoker after a 15 minute acid wash. The black coating on the metal came off very easy with my power washer. I diluted the acid 50:50 as per the instructions. I used a plastic spray bottle to apply. There were only a few small areas that I needed to reapply the acid. Nice alternative to sand blasting. I am still going to sand the smoker with fine grit sand paper prior to primer.

[scottyk]

Nice work man! Looking very good I cant wait to see it painted. Make sure to post up pictures and let us know how it performs! congrats on it

I ended up going with countersunk rivets and we will be using a reinforced filler for the corners and to fill the rivet holes. We sanded all the panels with 80 grit on a DA before attaching so we shouldnt need to acid etch. Although I can definitely see both sides to the coin on this one! If I was only building a single smoker I would have went with your approach to welding all the edges.

[Tim Schmidt]

Here are some updated photos. Still need to add a few final touches, I hope to fire it up this weekend..
For those of you who have not started your gravity feed yet, I would highly recommend installing extra support inside the frames where the slam latch assembly attaches. I had to improvise after the smoker was already painted. It turned out ok, just a lot of extra work.w
I will post the final pictures after the external shelving is installed..
What is the best way to season the smoker?
Thanks again

[Bmtnbiker128]

That is one Fine looking smoker!! I can't wait to read how it will preform.