Atama's vertical cabinet build

Atama · Post by **Atama** » September 20th, 2015, 3:37 pm

I have been meaning to do this for quite some time, just keep on getting busy. So, I wanted to do a retrospective build thread on my cabinet smoker. I guess that it is more a "clone" of a lonestargrillz than anything else, but was mainly meant as a fun project for my Dad and I. And, to tell the truth, he has put in a bunch more work on it than I have, and that makes this smoker worth more to me than ANY smoker I could go out and buy at ANY price. It will undoubtedly last the rest of my life (and probably be with my son throughout his). We still have a lot of work to do, and still have the ability to make any changes, so if you fine folks see something that needs attention, please speak up and let me know! So, without further ado, here is my build thus far:

Atama · Post by **Atama** » September 20th, 2015, 3:40 pm

Originally, I intended for the smoker to be 30 inches deep on the outside corners, and 36 inches wide. That way it would only take one sheet of 12 ga. mild steel to skin the outside, not counting the top, bottom and doors. I wound up thinking that it was going to be way bigger than I planned and not as pleasing to my eye, so I cut the fram back down to 30 inches wide along the back, making the outside dementions 30 x 29.5".

Started out with some square tubing:

So here is the frame built out of 2 inch square tubing tacked together:

Test fitting the inner skin of 3/16 plate:

More if the interior panels test fitted. Realized I didn't need the horizontal braces, all they were is extra weight, so out they came:

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Atama · Post by **Atama** » September 20th, 2015, 3:58 pm

Working on a firebox and a rail system so that it always lines up right:

I am thinking this beast should easily hold a 20 lb. bagof lump or briquettes!

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Atama · Post by **Atama** » September 20th, 2015, 4:05 pm

Starting to get some racks in there. There are 4 in total made if 1 inch square tubing and expanded metal.

The fitting is a 1.5 incher that is the drain for my waterpan/heat deflector (more on that one later

)

You can also see the ashpan that is also on rails so that it is always under the firebox to catch the ash!

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Atama · Post by **Atama** » September 20th, 2015, 4:15 pm

Being that I am also a real welding novice, I chose to keep all of the seam welds on the inside of the insulated panels, which can be seen in the last pic if you look closely on the far right hand side. We did it that way completely around all five sides. It was a good opportunity for me to get some practice in!

Atama · Post by **Atama** » September 20th, 2015, 4:26 pm

Door frames put together and the inner skins tacked on:

Air inlets plumbed in. Will be using two 2 inch ball valves to control the air flow. I will be adding a Stoker down the road.

I don't think I will ever have to worry about this thing getting stolen! It is H-E-A-V-Y!!!! Will probably end up somewhere in the 800-1000 pound range.

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Atama · Post by **Atama** » September 20th, 2015, 4:34 pm

Getting the stack on. It is made from a piece of 5 inch square tubing we got from the scrap yard. 5 inch square tubing should be big enough, right?

In this pic, you can just see how it comes out of the back of the smoker. I didn't put it in the roof because I didn't want any drippings on the meat.

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Atama · Post by **Atama** » September 20th, 2015, 4:45 pm

I said earlier that there would be more on the waterpan/heat defelctor later. The bottom of the waterpan is a piece of 1/2 inch plate that my Dad had laying in his shop. Basically, it was cut to the inner dimensions of the smoker, then several 1.5 inch notches were cut out of itaround the perimeter to allow heat and smoke to rise through the chamber. The teeth that were left effectively formed tabs that were then welded to the walls of the smoker. I should make for one heck of a heat sink since I don't generally prefer to cook with water. Once that piece of plate gets up to temp, it should really help regulate the internal temp of the CC. On top of this plate, my Dad welded in 3.5 inch tall walls to contain water (if I ever use any) but also to form a drippings pan that can just be hosed out after a cook to clean the interior. Sorry, didn't get any pics of this part of the build.

Post by **Rodcrafter** » September 20th, 2015, 7:50 pm

You guys are making one very heavy cooker. I like heavy! Yes it will out last you!

Making memories.

Puff · Post by **Puff** » September 20th, 2015, 7:57 pm

Ouch! I can see trying to move it all ready

Very nice job. !

Puff · Post by **Puff** » September 20th, 2015, 8:03 pm

Ouch! I can see trying to move it all ready

Very nice job. !

Post by **Big T** » September 20th, 2015, 8:44 pm

That things going to be a Beast !!

Post by **Pete Mazz** » September 21st, 2015, 4:24 am

Atama · Post by **Atama** » September 21st, 2015, 4:27 pm

Puff wrote:Ouch! I can see trying to move it all ready

Very nice job. !

Very true sir. That is why there are 4 of these going under her. Rated for 1050 pounds EACH.

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Puff · Post by **Puff** » September 21st, 2015, 7:23 pm

Atama · Post by **Atama** » September 27th, 2015, 8:57 am

Well, got the wheels on the bottom, and all sides insulated. I am thinking about pushing the wheels out to the far corners for more stability. The only down side will be the the wheels will stick out some from the cooker when I roll it around. Thoughts or advice?

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CaliforniaSmoke · Post by **CaliforniaSmoke** » September 27th, 2015, 9:36 am

I'd push the casters out personally.

Also, it looks like you have four swivel casters -- that's going to be harder to steer than if two of the were rigid. I did that once on a router table I built and it was a pain. You could push it in and direction, which was handy at times but awkward too. Maybe with as heavy as this thing likely is it will be just fine.

Great looking smoker, by the way! I'm assuming there is a water pan just above the firebox?

Atama · Post by **Atama** » September 27th, 2015, 9:45 am

Yes, the waterpan is just above the fire box, tucked in behind the two horizontal pieces of 2x2. Here is the best pic I have right now of it:

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Post by **Rodcrafter** » September 27th, 2015, 11:20 am

I would have them all the way out for best stability.

Making memories.

forty_creek · Post by **forty_creek** » September 27th, 2015, 11:48 am

I think wide as possible.
jm2
Looks good

Drankin, Smokin and Dreamin

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pawatch · Post by **pawatch** » September 27th, 2015, 1:30 pm

Nice build! :LG:

Atama · Post by **Atama** » September 30th, 2015, 9:12 pm

I was talking about the outside with Dad, and I think I am going to have the outside powder coated. Out of curiosity, what would happen if I had the INSIDE powder coated? Is there any type of off gassing associated with powder coating? Just curious.

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Post by **Big T** » September 30th, 2015, 10:56 pm

I leave the inside of all my builds raw metal and season them with cooking oil(spray type) and fire it up and let it burn hot for a while. I wouldn't risk any type of coating in the CC and it will get covered in grease anyway. jm2cw

Post by **Rodcrafter** » October 1st, 2015, 5:57 am

After a couple of uses the inside will be coated just fine naturally.

Atama · Post by **Atama** » October 4th, 2015, 8:38 pm

Getting some more done. Starting to skin the out side!

Also got the firebox door on her ( just tacked to test for fit). Hoping to smoke Thanksgiving turkey(s)!

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