Mini GF Son's HS Project

[Sand Hiller]

In an earlier thread I was looking for ideas for a project for my son's High School welding class. There was a policy stating "NO SMOKERS". This story has a happy ending or beginning, if you will. I purchased the Mini GF plans and argued my case. Thanks to the detailed plans and the promise of support (it says something when there is a phone number and a name right on the plans!) the build begins. It'll be a slow one...only 1+ hr a day 3 days a week (on a good week!) but I'll try to post pics as he gets going.
I'm sure there will be Q's along the way!

[Tom_Heath]

Shoot me a message and I will reply with my number also. That way if they have questions they will have a better chance to talk to one of us. We all have other jobs as well as the plans. So if one of us is busy maybe one won't be.


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[KarateDoc]

That is awesome!

[Squiggle]

Very cool, can't wait for pics!

[Big T]

[Dirtytires]

You have more support than you know. Congrats on the project....now ask away.

[Rodcrafter]

Great project


Making memories.

[Sand Hiller]

My son is ordering steel this week. I helped him with a rough BOM and came up with approx. 65 ft of square tubing and roughly 50 square feet of 16 ga. Keep in mind this was "dirty math"! Does that sound close?
A more accurate BOM is in the works (unless someone has already has one for a mini...hint hint)
Where did you guys source your insulation?
Probably have alot of questions as we get rolling!

[Tom_Heath]

BBQ smoker supply has the insulation. It is the exact same thing that we use at smokerbuilder HQ. back in the day I found some a little closer and a little cheaper but it wasn't worth it. It was a real pain in my tail.


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[Sand Hiller]

Thanks Tom! I was looking at the kit they have with hinges, latches, etc...I take a look at the insulation.

[Sand Hiller]

back in the day I found some a little closer and a little cheaper but it wasn't worth it. It was a real pain in my tail.

Tom this is ringing in my head as I have the local lumberyard (smalltown mom and pop...not the big box!) looking for insulation. They found 1.5x24x48 mineral wool with a 1200 deg rating. I realize that the Roxul that SmokerParts has is rated to 2000.
Will this lower rating work?
Not old fashioned or afraid to order....Just trying to keep the local yard open...he's gotten me out of too many pickles!

BTW---have fun in SE KS! was trying to squeeze the trip in but too much goin' on! Next time!

[Dirtytires]

1200 degree is fine.

[Sand Hiller]

Thanks DT.
There is a big delta sometimes between what feels good and what is right. Would much rather have the latter!

[Sand Hiller]

I apologize updates aren't as frequent. Getting a progress report out of a teenage boy other than "yeah...been workin' on it" or "hey, they need more money for steel" is a little tough! PT conferences were this week. Instructor said all the frame is cut and the insulation is going in. Sorry no pics. I put a bug in the instructors ear about that too!
There's a fine line between wanting to know what's going on and not being "one of those" helicopter parents! I'm a firm believer in "you expect what you inspect". Try to explain that to a teenager!

[Rodcrafter]

That is a great report! You must be feeling a little powerless.


Making memories!

[Sand Hiller]

Just want him to have success with this thing. It is a little hard for me not to physically see progress but If he follows the plans he'll be just fine. I've shared links to the build threads here so he can see examples. I know that helped me build the RF! I'll just keep the money rollin'!
I'm anticipating about $650 out the door. Is that comparable to what the other mini builders have seen?

[Rodcrafter]

That is cheap for a Gravity Feed smoker. I don't know how much others are spending but a baby stumps is about $4000.00


Making memories!

[Squiggle]

I spent about $1200AUD on mine, so about $40USD hahaha(stoopid Aussie dollar!!)

Seriously though, about $850USD but stuff here is a bit more expensive than in the US.

I know it must be hard & teenagers are useless communicators, I have a 17yr old daughter who's main vocabulary consists of yeah, nah, yeah but nah & meow!

[Big T]

Good to hear that there's progress being made, small steps are better than no steps.

[Tom_Heath]

The stuff from a local yard rated at 1200 ish is about what I used. The main difference I found was the box store yard product will be more like batt insulation vs a more ridged product that we use. What we use is more like a very dense foam board. It cuts easy with a good knife and holds the cut shape well.


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[Sand Hiller]

Thanks guys. I'll check into cost a little closer. I may just have the first bill for steel.....More to come I bet. Even so not paying for consumables will make a difference.
Tom, The insulation my guy found is solid/dense. Almost looked like a thick suspended ceiling tile (without the finish). I was expecting a bat type like you described. Maybe got lucky? Guess its better to lucky than good! Ha!

[Rodcrafter]

Yes more often than not


Making memories!

[Tom_Heath]

Sounds like you got the good stuff. That's awesome.


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[Dirtytires]

If you come anywhere close to $400 I'd put it into production! Don't forget you will tack on another hundred for a few temp gauges and a bit more for sandblast and paint. Still, great budget.

[Sand Hiller]

My son and I have his Mini home from school. From what I saw when we went to pick it up it was one of the more complex projects. I'm proud of what he did as a first time welder! There's a few details left to finish but it'll be smoking soon!

Father/ son pic