Cal Smoke's Mini Gravity Fed Build

CaliforniaSmoke · Post by **CaliforniaSmoke** » October 10th, 2015, 10:56 pm

Puff wrote:My gasket process is as follows . I wiped the frame surface to to stuck to with acetone. Peel of the backing and place it on the door. Once all for side are good, I'd strap or clamp the doo in place, let it lie under clamp for an hour an then recheck alignment. Then tack the hinges in place. Place the gasket material to the door so that it is less exposed to rubs and sauces that my pass closely to the edge and smear a wad on ti it. the door, it is out of the way for the most part. It has been a good technique on 5 smokers already so I have confidence with it.

Makes sense -- although I was thinking that I'd paint the gasket surfaces (well, the whole smoker) before putting the gasket on them.

Post by **Rodcrafter** » October 11th, 2015, 6:47 am

I have been told that taping off the area where the gasket goes is best so that is what I do.

Making memories.

Puff · Post by **Puff** » October 11th, 2015, 8:12 am

I don't paint the inside of the door, it turns black very quickly

Post by **Big T** » October 11th, 2015, 9:28 am

CaliforniaSmoke · Post by **CaliforniaSmoke** » October 16th, 2015, 3:35 pm

I added the insulation around the firebox just now. Bent up some sheetmetal scraps to wrap around some insulation scraps. Mission accomplished.

I guess I'll start on skinning the whole thing in sheetmetal now. The hinges and latches came in the mail today so it seems like I should be on the downhill side of this project. Still loads to do, lotsa welding and grinding on the skin.

Post by **Rodcrafter** » October 16th, 2015, 9:48 pm

Nice work

Making memories.

pawatch · Post by **pawatch** » October 17th, 2015, 5:03 pm

Definitely a great build! Like all the thought and detail you put into it.

CaliforniaSmoke · Post by **CaliforniaSmoke** » October 17th, 2015, 11:05 pm

I worked on some details today, adding in the small bits of tubing on the main frame. I also cut the sheetmetal skins for the cook chamber door and assembled the door. The skins are just tacked in place, but it's fitting dead flush against the smoker frame at this point. Hopefully I can maintain that as I weld the skins solid.

I added a 4" x 1/4" flat bar inside the door to drill and tap into for the slam latch. Probably overkill, the door weight a lot now!

More welding tomorrow, and I'll start adding the outer skin onto the main part of the smoker.

Puff · Post by **Puff** » October 18th, 2015, 8:23 am

Nice job wrapping the insulation around the firebox with a metal skin...

CaliforniaSmoke · Post by **CaliforniaSmoke** » October 25th, 2015, 12:16 pm

I'm still plodding along fitting the outer skin to the smoker. Hopefully I'll finish that today. Then it's a lot of welding and grinding to get that all finish welded and cleaner up. Drilling the holes for the smokestack was a workout for my hand drill, but drilling through both pieces of sheetmetal in place was a great way to make sure the holes were exactly lined up.

Post by **Big T** » October 25th, 2015, 10:23 pm

It'll all be worth it in the end

scottyk · Post by **scottyk** » October 26th, 2015, 11:32 am

I was wondering if you were going to weld up all the seams or not. Curious how this will turn out, looking very nice! Going to be TIG welding all the skins as well?

crpngdth2001 · Post by **crpngdth2001** » November 27th, 2015, 9:41 pm

Any updates?

Cousinsteve · Post by **Cousinsteve** » December 4th, 2015, 9:33 pm

How's that smoker coming along??

lucid4folli4 · Post by **lucid4folli4** » January 11th, 2016, 11:56 am

Updates ?

CaliforniaSmoke · Post by **CaliforniaSmoke** » February 27th, 2018, 11:23 am

Got distracted with other projects for a while, and also hurt my back (probably lifting this thing) and was out of commission for a while. I got back to work on it recently, and it's *almost* finished. Need to make the legs, shelves and attach the main door, I think everything else is pretty much done.

Big project. It's designed so it can be built by a guy in a home shop with just cutting/welding capabilities, but that makes it a bigger project.

I deviated from the plans in a couple of spots. I made the firebox door out of 1/4" plate with 1.5" x 1/4" strapping for the edges. Faster than mitered tubing skinned with sheetmetal, and it should help hold heat. I'm going to put longer legs on it too, that's the next step.

ajfoxy · Post by **ajfoxy** » February 27th, 2018, 4:36 pm

Looking good.

Post by **Big T** » February 27th, 2018, 5:48 pm

CaliforniaSmoke · Post by **CaliforniaSmoke** » February 27th, 2018, 8:32 pm

Legs almost done.

Dirtytires · Post by **Dirtytires** » February 27th, 2018, 11:11 pm

Welcome back...don’t you just hate it when a project gets pushed to the back corner of the garage? Then the kids bike gets in front of it....and the bod of donations that the mrs said to put someplace and then we never get back to it.

Glad to have you back...let’s remember to get a buddy over for lifting this time, or better yet, use that hoist!

Project looks great. Can’t wait to see it finished.

Cole · Post by **Cole** » February 28th, 2018, 5:55 am

I like what you did with the interior, don't get any weld splatter on the other project in the garage!

Post by **Rodcrafter** » February 28th, 2018, 11:12 am

CaliforniaSmoke · Post by **CaliforniaSmoke** » March 2nd, 2018, 11:22 am

OK, legs are done and ready to weld to the box. I'm going to hang the door first, then weld the legs on...and then I think I can paint it. Still need to make the shelves and ash pan. Might be BBQ soon.

I'm going to use rattle cans to paint it (Rustoleum Hammered Red), but I'm thinking about trying to letter the door.

Post by **Big T** » March 2nd, 2018, 3:00 pm

Nice work!

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Cal Smoke's Mini Gravity Fed Build

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