Gravity Feed Rescue

Pitmaster Big D · Post by **Pitmaster Big D** » December 5th, 2019, 5:16 pm

This process started over a year ago with a call to smoker builder with questions about a gravity feed. I went back and forth between plans, a double pan kit, single pan kit but could not decide. Since I live 30 miles from HQ I decided to take a drive and talk to the brains behind the operation ( Frank and Tom). Against their better judgement (lucky for me) they showed me one they had on site that needed some TLC. We all though it still had a lot of potential to be a really good cooker. I jumped at the chance to purchase it, and see what it could be after it was restored. Fast forward 6 months and the restoration has finally begun. With a lot of guidance from Frank and Tom I started ripping into it. Disassembly is almost complete and then to the repair.

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Post by **Big T** » December 5th, 2019, 10:25 pm

I see that you said it's a restoration so what's the plan ? I also have to say that it doesn't look like it has ever been used but it may have been cleaned very well. Either way it should make for and interesting '' build'' and it certainly is nice to be so close to HQ if you have any questions.

Dirtytires · Post by **Dirtytires** » December 6th, 2019, 12:43 am

Seems like almost as much work as building one from scratch.....lol

What was the problem with it?

Pitmaster Big D · Post by **Pitmaster Big D** » December 6th, 2019, 1:11 am

It is not square and welds were not good. It would probably be easier to build a new one, but this one was the right price, and I hated seeing it just sit. It was not ever used, it was attempted to be put together by a welding class that didn’t do so well.

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Post by **Big T** » December 6th, 2019, 5:16 pm

Well it looks like all of the pieces and parts are there and it's definitely hard to turn down a good deal so it sounds like you made the right decision.

ajfoxy · Post by **ajfoxy** » December 6th, 2019, 5:56 pm

So long as the cook chamber is "leak proof" and the charcoal chute and firebox are reasonably sound, the rest is merely cosmetic.

Pitmaster Big D · Post by **Pitmaster Big D** » December 6th, 2019, 10:44 pm

There is a ledge in the coal shoot the we are working on and reinforcing the welds to make sure they are air tight. Then start putting it back together.

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Dirtytires · Post by **Dirtytires** » December 8th, 2019, 1:52 pm

Would agree that it is nice to have everything cut already so all you need to do is tear-down and re-assemble.

Have fun!

Pitmaster Big D · Post by **Pitmaster Big D** » December 9th, 2019, 10:15 am

Got the chimney out. Have to cut it off to fix a ledge by the fire box and then can start leveling everything. A couple more weekends and it should be done.

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Post by **Big T** » December 9th, 2019, 8:45 pm

ajfoxy · Post by **ajfoxy** » December 11th, 2019, 6:02 am

Looking good... nothing like the fabrication dance.... one step forward, two steps back, two steps forward, one step back... yehaa.

pr0wlunwoof · Post by **pr0wlunwoof** » December 11th, 2019, 8:33 am

Nothing better than taking something and making it whole. I would have made the same choice had I had the opportunity. Good luck and keep after it.

Pitmaster Big D · Post by **Pitmaster Big D** » December 11th, 2019, 12:08 pm

I like the challenge to see how much better I can make it as a finished product. I plan on putting a cutout in the side to mount a temp controller to. It would have been easier to start from scratch but I’m learning a lot doing it this way, and the mentors I have are top notch.

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Post by **Tom_Heath** » December 21st, 2019, 5:32 pm

So, just to make sure everyone understands the magnitude of the devastation.

This cooker was originally sold to a guy that had a friend that was a welding teacher. As a teacher, he broke the first rule of school!! He didnt follow the directions that frank gave him. From there I think it was a free for all for the kids.

Gotta give someone credit tho, they filled a 3/4 inch gap and it looked decent. But when D started cutting it off ....... Well he was almost cut thru the weld and SHIT..... the whole bead just fell off. I mean the whole weld bead fell off, with his cut right down the middle.

It looks terrible right now, but D has it under complete and total control. Like he said just a little more work and the CC can be squared up and start moving forward.

And considering where he is doing the work !!! He has some pretty good resources.

tom

Pitmaster Big D · Post by **Pitmaster Big D** » December 21st, 2019, 11:10 pm

Thanks for the kind words Tom. The help and ideas you and frank have given me are priceless, along with the fact of where I’m able to dissect it (Smoker Builder HQ) It’s going to be a great cooker when it’s all done.

Post by **Tom_Heath** » December 26th, 2019, 10:58 pm

Heck yes man, it will be amazing.

Did I mention that we have some new ideas for your egg cooker ideas.

Pitmaster Big D · Post by **Pitmaster Big D** » December 26th, 2019, 11:07 pm

Tom_Heath wrote:Heck yes man, it will be amazing.

Did I mention that we have some new ideas for your egg cooker ideas.

No you didn’t but I can’t wait to hear them. I’ll be back in town Sunday sometime.

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