2nd Build - Tank Offset Trailer Build

andysmoked · Post by **andysmoked** » July 10th, 2020, 1:14 am

This is epic! I hope your buddy appreciates it.

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dacolson · Post by **dacolson** » July 10th, 2020, 7:47 am

Thx tinspark

dacolson · Post by **dacolson** » July 10th, 2020, 12:43 pm

andysmoked wrote: ↑
July 10th, 2020, 1:14 am
This is epic! I hope your buddy appreciates it.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks Andy. He’s pretty excited. I had to cut him off on updates. Some things need to be a surprise, right?

andysmoked · Post by **andysmoked** » July 10th, 2020, 3:31 pm

dacolson wrote:
andysmoked wrote: ↑
July 10th, 2020, 1:14 am
This is epic! I hope your buddy appreciates it.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Thanks Andy. He’s pretty excited. I had to cut him off on updates. Some things need to be a surprise, right?

Absolutely!!

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dacolson · Post by **dacolson** » July 18th, 2020, 8:43 am

I was able to get a few more details done on the grill. I finished the door flanges/gasket, hinges and handles and added the stack. The stack is probably a little overkill and placed a little low but I wanted to keep the style similar to the cook chamber. I used 1/2 in. rod and drilled out holes in the bung plugs for the handles.

I also matched these handles to the handles on the cook chamber.

I had to add a bing and plug to the right side of the door as there was only the one on the left. I had to make sure and preheat the cast iron plugs before welding. Worked out well and no cracks.

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hogaboomer · Post by **hogaboomer** » July 18th, 2020, 9:22 am

That there contraption is purty dang cool!!!

dacolson · Post by **dacolson** » July 18th, 2020, 10:18 am

hogaboomer wrote: ↑
July 18th, 2020, 9:22 am
That there contraption is purty dang cool!!!

Thank you sir

SheffSmoker · Post by **SheffSmoker** » July 18th, 2020, 12:40 pm

Looks ace, Dave. Which bit was cast? I've only welded cast one many years ago but found slow and steady worked for me. Almost like brazing, using the weld more like a glue than trying to melt the cast.

dacolson · Post by **dacolson** » July 18th, 2020, 1:34 pm

SheffSmoker wrote: ↑
July 18th, 2020, 12:40 pm
Looks ace, Dave. Which bit was cast? I've only welded cast one many years ago but found slow and steady worked for me. Almost like brazing, using the weld more like a glue than trying to melt the cast.

The bung plugs on the main cook chamber were cast. The plugs on the smaller grill were mild steel. I did those first. As soon as I started drilling the half inch holes for the handle bars I knew they were cast. Nothing but dust coming out of the holes as I drilled.

tinspark · Post by **tinspark** » July 18th, 2020, 7:12 pm

I love it, its awesome!!

andysmoked · Post by **andysmoked** » July 18th, 2020, 7:17 pm

This is great. It’s starting to take on a real Steampunk style. Bravo [emoji1319][emoji1319][emoji1319]

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tinspark · Post by **tinspark** » July 18th, 2020, 8:11 pm

Love that thing. Looks awesome man!

dacolson · Post by **dacolson** » July 18th, 2020, 9:47 pm

Thanks tinspark and Andy. So close. Hate to project but I’m aiming to be done and doing a test burn by Wednesday. Fingers crossed

Post by **Big T** » July 19th, 2020, 1:06 am

That was another cool idea on the handles!

dacolson · Post by **dacolson** » July 19th, 2020, 6:50 am

Big T wrote: ↑
July 19th, 2020, 1:06 am
That was another cool idea on the handles!

Thx BigT. Been eyeballing how to use those bungs since I got the tanks. Glad you like it.

dacolson · Post by **dacolson** » July 23rd, 2020, 9:39 am

Well, my first test fire turned into a first cook last night. Fired it up around 5PM and seasoned everything. Kids wanted burgers so I grilled some up on the grill. Then I figured what the hell - I have a brisket in the fridge that needed to get cooked or frozen so I quick picked up a couple pork butts and threw everything on around 11:30pm. Very please with the draw and how it holds temp. I have it set up as standard offset w/ tuning plates.

With the vents wide open and the FB door cracked, it wants to sit around 250. With the door shut, it wants to go out. Either I’ll add another vent or just use the door.

The WC sits at about 190 with the CC to WC vent open. It drops to about 175 with it closed. Perfect for a longer sausage smoke.

Glad I tested the cook b/c I see a few leaks where seasoning oil seeped out of some of the thicker welds I did to close some big gaps in the WC/FB miters. Easy to correct now.

Here’s the punch list:
1. Touch up left hand weld on grill hinge
2. Folding prep shelf for smoker
3. Prep table for grill
4. Leaks in WC welds
5. Temp gauges
6. Peen grill vent pin
7. Hooks!!
8. Temp gauge shelf
9. Re-wire trailer lights
10. Wheel for hitch
11. New wheels?
12. Clear coat
13. Smoker door latches

I thought I was close to finished ...

Qview:

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mp4 · Post by **mp4** » July 23rd, 2020, 10:12 am

Very cool!

andysmoked · Post by **andysmoked** » July 23rd, 2020, 10:19 am

You should be proud of that. Damn good job.

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dacolson · Post by **dacolson** » July 23rd, 2020, 11:03 am

Thx Andy/mp4 - coming along.

hogaboomer · Post by **hogaboomer** » July 23rd, 2020, 1:48 pm

Excellent!!!

Post by **Big T** » July 23rd, 2020, 5:59 pm

I've found that it's better to give them a test run before making them look pretty so I can correct any issues. How did the food turn out ?

BurnBern · Post by **BurnBern** » July 23rd, 2020, 8:31 pm

Awesome build and mind blowing ingenuity!!!

dacolson · Post by **dacolson** » July 23rd, 2020, 9:50 pm

Thx BurnBern. Been a fun build. Gotta keep at it and finish that punch list!

dacolson · Post by **dacolson** » July 31st, 2020, 8:53 pm

Well today is the day. I finished the build. After the burn in and first cook I made a few adjustments. Heat held fine on all fronts although I didn’t test the reverse flow config. Just the traditional offset mode w tuning plates and the warming chamber. I did find the handles on the CC door were awkward to grab when it was wide open so I removed them and put them at an angle so you can grab them when the door is up. I also added a folding prep shelf on the CC side and a small, opening table on the grill side. After a lot of clean up of weld spatter, crud and heat marks, I went with the high temp clear paint today. I used my weed burner to heat it up to bake the paint on. I’ll be dropping her off at my buddy’s house on Sunday. I miss her already ...

I absolutely had a blast building this and appreciate everyone’s comments and suggestions. You guys are awesome.

Dave C - Smoking meat - Offset RF Smoker. Big Green Egg. Homemade mailbox cold smoker.
Novice welder - Everlast PowerMTS 252STi
Farmington, MN

towtruck · Post by **towtruck** » August 1st, 2020, 1:10 am

Nice!

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