New reverse Flow build

[Joe D]

Hi guys, well after months of reading & a tank falling in my lap basically, im ready to start my build.I've filled with soap & water & dumped. Then I filled with TSP & water & let it sit. Im laying out the doors & firebox cut out & according to the calculator I need a 10"×5" half moon cut out for firebox to cook chamber. For the door im planning on going with one door incase I wana do a hog. Im thinking of cutting the doors @ 12 o'clock & 3 o'clock. That'll make my door 1/4 of the tank.I thought the tank was bigger but turned out to be a 250 gallon. Any input would be appreciated before I cut the door. Here's the tank.I got it on a job I did for a guy for free.

[Blazer]

Joe D, If it were me I would come off 12oclk 6'' or so and 1'' below 3oclk. Hope this help's.

[Rodcrafter]

I like 1 in toward 11 from the 12 o clock mark and 1 in below 3 o clock so my main grate top will be dead center of the cooker chamber. The top one, I just like it a bit bigger and rain runs off better. Your going to need to counter wieght the door, cause it will be very heavy.

my $0.02

[Joe D]

Blazer when you say come off 12 oclk 6" im assuming your saying towards the 11 oclock mark or towards the 1 oclock. U both agree on 1" below the 3 oclock . I plan on a counter weight & im doing 1 door incase a hog comes up

[TuscaloosaQ]

I come down 4 to 6 inches from 12 oclock to start my cut and depending how far I want my grate from the baffle plate will determine my next cut. Generally my first rack is 3 to 4 inches off the baffle plate

[Joe D]

Ok. I gotcha. I also made a mistake on my firebox to cook chamber opening. It'll be 22"×10 1/2". I was @ work when I typed my 1stpost earlier & for some reason those measurements were in my head.lol.hopefully I'll drain the tank tomorrow & make the 1st cut.

[Joe D]

I found this on craigslist today & I've heard good things about them plus I think the price was right. Hobart 187 with a cart & 40' extension cord. $300.00. Not quite the duty cycle I was hoping to get but it should be able to build my smoker.

[TuscaloosaQ]

Snag it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[The Czar]

Dude....if TQ says get it...you should heed it!!

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[Joe D]

Lol. Yup. I got it. I figured it would build my smoker & be a good 230v machine that wont take up a lot of space. Its hard squeezing tools in a 2 car garage.

[Smokeone]

Nice snag. I got me a Hobart 140 in my shop. It takes care of the stuff I do here!

[Frank_Cox]

awesome! looks like you got a good start and a great welder!

[Joe D]

Smokeone I have a Lincoln 135HD but I needed something a lil beefy. I hope the duty cycle on this holds up.

[Smokeone]

It should be an improvement. I just use this to play with, my smoker is coming together in a shop with a more suitable unit.

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[Joe D]

I meant to say Lincoln weldpak 3200 HD. Idk where 135 came from. I guess thats the results of sneaking & typing while on the clock. Lol

[Joe D]

We have some left over 1/8' plate @ work my boss said I can have for free. Im using 1/4" for my firebox & reverse flow plate but Will 1/8" work for a warmer? Will the heat from the fb warp it? I was gonna add a warmer anyway but if this will work I'll use it.

[TuscaloosaQ]

Minimum 3/16 in my opinion

[Joe D]

Thanks. I was gonna give it a try since it was free but oh well. Im sure I'll find some use for it.

[alleyrat58]

AR Senior had that welder, got it cheap too. Great welder, nice snag!

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[Joe D]

I followed all the directions in Franks video & did a lot of researching the web. I'd probably be the 1st in the forum to say it but I have my tank filled & I cant muster up the nerves to cut it lol. Im not ashamed to admit it & I paid close attention to the part of the video where Frank said " if your scared dont do it, take it to a professional" so I believe thats what im gonna do. Problem is that every fabrication or shop I call doesn't wana touch it. I'd hate to lug it 2 hours to Frank's but that maybe my only option unless either there someone closer or knows someone in the St. Louis area who does cut tanks.

[The Czar]

Once it's full of water just make that first cut ...it's full of water....it can't go Kaboom...

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[Tom_Heath]

Where ya at Joe.

HEHEHE Dc said KaaBoom. LOL

[Smokeone]

May e a road trip in the future.

[Joe D]

St.Louis. I tried to post a pic but somethings wrong. This tank had the valve on the end so I'd have to stand it on the end & make sure its level to fill it completely. There's no hole in the top. Its hard to do in a garage. I may take it to work so I can use the bobcat to help me make sure its level & full.

[Smokeone]

It might be a good choice to not do it if the neighbors are close. You may offend them a little. I would check with frank, it would be a nice drive.
I am between the two of ya, but I don't have all the toys.