First Ever Build/Never Welded Before

[Barrion2018]

The title speaks for itself.

Like I mentioned in my introduction, I'm not a welder, never welded before in my life until I started this project/build Approx 3 weeks ago. And, I know nothing about working with metal, but that's not going to stop me.

After seeing how much a good offset cost, I decided that I finally have a reason to learn how to weld.

When I posted my introduction, I was asked to upate on how my build is going. I'll do my best.

To start with, please keep in mind that I never worked with metal berfore or welded, so my build may be a little cured. The smokers I have seen you guys have built are amazing! Mine, not so much.

My build is a traditional pipe offset 20" x 46" x 3/8" cc, 20" x 24" x 3/8" fb. I got the pipe and the flat metal for free, just have to clean it up a bit.

Pictures to follow.

[Big T]

You aren't the first guy on the forum that learned to weld on your first build so don't let that hold you back. Just get you some scrap material the same thickness as your build and make some practice welds.

[SheffSmoker]

When I built my first it had been 20 years since I last welded, and all I had to hand was my 30 year old stick welder. It wasn't pretty but I wanted to know if I could do it and if it would work.

Now on build number 3 and slowly upgraded tools, welder and skills to match. Just remember it's not a race, take your time, ask loads of questions, measure measure and re-check before cutting.

Most of all, enjoy it!

[Barrion2018]

Thank you both for your encouragement, I greatly appreciate it.

I did do some pratice on scrap before starting on my build. It helped, but have a LONG WAY to go.

And yes, I have been taking my time, and enjoying every minute.

Don't laugh, I'm going to try and post some pictures of my journey.

And remember, this is the first time I have ever welded or worked with metal.

The first few pictures are of the pipe that was given to me, before and after I cut it and cleaned it.
I do not have a shop, so everything I do is outside in the snow and mud,

Smoker 1 .PNG (174.06 KiB) Viewed 2873 times

Smoker 2 .PNG (187.14 KiB) Viewed 2873 times

Smoker 4 .PNG (224.5 KiB) Viewed 2873 times

The legs are just over 2" OD, and approx 1/4" thick wall. I made a templet, and cut them with cutoff disc.

Smoker 5 .PNG (167.78 KiB) Viewed 2873 times

Smoker 6 .PNG (119.78 KiB) Viewed 2873 times

Smoker 8 .PNG (222.4 KiB) Viewed 2873 times

Smoker 9 .PNG (151.34 KiB) Viewed 2873 times

The picture above, and the next few to follow were from yesterday.

Smoker 10 .PNG (198.82 KiB) Viewed 2873 times

Smoker 11 .PNG (207.6 KiB) Viewed 2873 times

[Barrion2018]

Here are a few more pictures, the first picture was from yesterday, the rest are from today.

Smoker 12 .PNG (171.62 KiB) Viewed 2873 times

Today, I installed the FB. Please don't laugh at my metal splater that I call welding

Smoker 13 .PNG (144.04 KiB) Viewed 2873 times

Smoker 14 .PNG (183.65 KiB) Viewed 2873 times

Smoker 15 .PNG (199.33 KiB) Viewed 2873 times

Smoker 16 .PNG (198.02 KiB) Viewed 2873 times

Before starting on this, I watched a ton of YouTube videos and did a lot of searching and reading on the web before starting.

And that's how I found this site, and I'm so glad I did. The calculator on this site is awsome, it helped me tons.

I do have tons of questions, but I'm tiered from playing all day with my new toy and can't think of any at this time.

Weather permiting, I'll be back out there tomorrow. I have tomorrow off from work.

[towtruck]

Looking good so far! You are going to have a lifetime smoker when its done!!!

[Pete Mazz]

Is there a reason you blocked off the top of the throat? Typically on a standard offset you'd have a grease dam on the bottom of the throat to stop any fat rolling back into the FB.

[Barrion2018]

Is there a reason you blocked off the top of the throat? Typically on a standard offset you'd have a grease dam on the bottom of the throat to stop any fat rolling back into the FB.

Thanks Pete for the question.
The only reason I have, is that I don't have a clue on what I'm doing.

I used a couple pit calculators, one of them gave me two options: "Round" (football shape) or "Half Moon."
Before deciding on which shape to use, I searched form post and YouTube. I even looked at how the companies that build custom pits do their throats.

The one company that stood out to me most, was Workhorse Pits. I'm trying to model my pit like one of them. I don't have plans, just doing it by what I see.

While serching for info on what size and how to do the throat, I couldn't find any clear detailed information. I could get square inches, but nothing else.

All my notes and plans where made, and the build started, before joining Smoker Builder's. I wish now that I found this site earlier. I hope I didn't screw up.

Before I start on the stack and smoke collector, I will need help on the height and depth of the smoke collector, and the height of the stack. Calculator say's that the stack should be 6" X 13.34" from the top of the smoker. Can I go taller?

I'm going to use 6" OD pipe. I haven't measured the ID yet. I'll do that today.

Thanks again Pete

[Dirtytires]

Follow the calculator on the exhaust length. I've had best results from exhaust mounted top-dead center.

You might re-examine your throat and bring it up to calculator specs as well. A mis-sized throat makes a pit a headache to run.

Looks like you are making some great progress...keep it up!

[Barrion2018]

You might re-examine your throat and bring it up to calculator specs as well. A mis-sized throat makes a pit a headache to run.

Thank you for the info!

Calculator says throat needs to be 60.32 square inches. I don't know how to convert 60.32 square inches into a semicircle.

The distance I have is 5" at center, I'll have to go out and measure the length. I don't remember off hand.

[towtruck]

You might re-examine your throat and bring it up to calculator specs as well. A mis-sized throat makes a pit a headache to run.

Thank you for the info!

Calculator says throat needs to be 60.32 square inches. I don't know how to convert 60.32 square inches into a semicircle.

The distance I have is 5" at center, I'll have to go out and measure the length. I don't remember off hand.

You could always use CAD...(cardboard aided design) and lay out a 1" grid on the cardboard then cut it to match you opening. Count up the squares and estimate the partial one's for a close number. If you're too big ad a grease dam to fill that amount of air. If you are too small add a grease dam and then open up the top of the throat to get your number.

[Barrion2018]

"You could always use CAD...(cardboard aided design) and lay out a 1" grid on the cardboard then cut it to match you opening. Count up the squares and estimate the partial one's for a close number. If you're too big ad a grease dam to fill that amount of air. If you are too small add a grease dam and then open up the top of the throat to get your number."

Thank you towtruck! I never thought of that, what a great idea!

I'll let you know what I come up with.

[Barrion2018]

I made a exact cardboard templet of throat opening, and used some 1/4" per square drafting paper with 1" grids to come up with the square inches of my throat.

The calculator says I need 60.32 sq in.

According to the method that towtruck suggested, I came up with 63.44 sq in on my throat.

If I make a 5/8" X 6" dam, it should put me where the calculators says I need to be. Correct?

I feel much better now. But please correct me if I'm wrong.

That you again towtruck!

[Dirtytires]

That will work perfect! Good to check and adjust now as it's a mess later once you start cooking on it.

[sandro]

«Never welded before», proceeds to do an amazing job

I can only wish I'll be that good at it when I'll try

About the Workhorse style throat and baffles—there's an interesting ongoing discussion in a couple threads below yours

[Olibinoui]

Hi sandro, as a retired welder the best tip is practice.

Fisrt of all, adjust your welder to the same thickness of the materials you want to weld. Get scrap metal of same thickness and weld, weld weld and weld. Get a basket full of water to put in you piece to cold them.

As you feel comfortable then do a beautiful and confident welding on your piece of art!!

Have proper angle, heat and speed is the key. The practice is tour wisdom

Many people want to go to fast and they learn to weld directly on their projects.

Thats my 2 cent’s

Keep the good work with your build!!

[Dirtytires]

Everybody has a way of doing things, but personally, I don't ever try to speed up cooling after welding/cutting. I find it increases weld cracks and warping so just let things cool on the bench. Agree it's kinda a pain to wait...

You will have to find what works for you as different metals and situations are affected diferently.

[Brewmaster]

Fantastic work so far, keep at it you're doing great for having no experience!

[Barrion2018]

Fantastic work so far, keep at it you're doing great for having no experience!

Thanks Brewmaster!

Doesn't look like I'm going to get much done on my build this weekend, the weather kinda altered my plans.

Like I said above, I have no shop, so I have to work on my smoker outside. The past couple days it snowed off and on, and this morning I woke up to ~6" of new snow. Now I have to let it melt and dry up a little, before I can continue. I hate snow!

Snow .PNG (175.94 KiB) Viewed 2792 times

[Barrion2018]

«Never welded before», proceeds to do an amazing job

I can only wish I'll be that good at it when I'll try

About the Workhorse style throat and baffles—there's an interesting ongoing discussion in a couple threads below yours

sandro,

I forgot to thank you for those kind words earlier, and the info on the other thread. Thank you!

[Dirtytires]

Sounds like you need to load everything up on the truck and head south for the winter.....or at least for long enough to get your project built.

[SheffSmoker]

Fantastic work so far, keep at it you're doing great for having no experience!

Thanks Brewmaster!

Doesn't look like I'm going to get much done on my build this weekend, the weather kinda altered my plans.

Like I said above, I have no shop, so I have to work on my smoker outside. The past couple days it snowed off and on, and this morning I woke up to ~6" of new snow. Now I have to let it melt and dry up a little, before I can continue. I hate snow!
Snow .PNG

Feeling your pain, brother. My first 2 I built completely outside, and the UK weather is notoriously cr@p. Having to run around trying to pack tools, welder, steel and your project away when it starts raining gets old very quick.

[Barrion2018]

Well I cleard the snow from around my work area, and gave it sometime to dryout a little, which only delayed me a day and ahalf.

Since then, I was able to get quite a bit doe on my smoker. I got the cc door hinged and installed, fb door cut-out and installed, and the smoke collector and stack. All I have left to do is to make a latch for the fb door, make a dampener for the top of the stack, and finish making the cooking grates. I almost forgot, I need to install the drain. I already installed the grease dam earlier.

Below are some pictures of what I got done since the last time I posted.

Please don't laugh at my welds, as ugly as they are, they are still holding, for now anyway.

I ran out of room to post the last pictures on this post. I'll attach them below on another post.

[Barrion2018]

Here are the last of the pictures

My plan was to finish it this weekend. Unfortunately, it started raining late yesterday afternoon, and turned into snow last night. It's going to rain and snow all weekend, so doesn't look like I'll be finishing it.

I'll keep you posted.

Thank you

[sandro]

It's a wonderful build, wish you had made a video diary of the process as a beginner in welding. Love the Workhorse vibe