New build..oil tank question

[Puff]

Did this on my own but I do lack the confidence of forging ahead without one of the recognized experts confirming these numbers

Earlier in another post I had asked about the length of the plate and the gap for smoke flow at the opposit end. The plan is calling for what appears to be about 5". Using my 8th grade memory skills in math and a little help form Jeopardy, here is my answer.

Throat radius is 9.9"
Square that and get 98.75
Multiply that by 3.1416 and divide by 2...

Answer is 155.12 sq in

Since my tank is about 26 or so inches deep, I will need to keep a gap of almost 6" at the opposition end of the fire box?

Can someone confirm this ? Would that mean that any raging out of control heat can be dampened down at the firebox dampers? Or conversely, will a lack of heat be increased by opening up the dampers for a bigger fire passing thru the tank?

Additionally, is there any benefit to a slight down hill lean with a small V to help with drainage from the baffle plate to the tank below? Or shut up and follow the plan!

Thanks...Al

[Rodcrafter]

It may help if you check out this thread;

http://www.smokerbuilder.com/forums/vie ... f=4&t=2930

[Puff]

Thanks for the guidance on this...sad part is I have read that section at least 6 other times...referred to the calculator, went back to Franks plan, then back to the calculator...

I have some discrepancy in the calculator and the prints. So before I make a mistake I can't undo... I am trying to get a correct or close to it....answer.

[Gizmo]

I'm reminded of the now-famous words of my engineering instructor who said; "round up a little bit and quit worrying about it….

"Or as I always say sometimes;
"Round up a little then quit. The dang thing will still cook fine and I still have to tune it anyway …"

[Puff]

Ok ,I think I got it

[Rodcrafter]

call Frank

[Puff]

Starting to construct the firebox....the hard way !

[Clover Ridge Smokers]

[Puff]

Making progress ...when they say " slow but sure", I gotta lotta slow...but I have discovered a few things. I don't come from anything that should have provided me some knowledge about metal but learned it along the way. Not having any cutting equipment means I am using what I have and finally cut thru the door and ash tray for the front of the firebox . The door is framed out with 2" flat so i can keep a close fit on the firebox door.

Cutting it with a 3" cutoff is a chore so I tried the sawzall. I discovered that by changing the blade to a 14tooth and scoring the lines just a little bit with the cutoff ...the sawzall cuts through rather quickly. So here is another piece of progress

[bluecatfish]

When I did my cooker I had better luck making the cuts with a 4" angle grinder with a 4" cutoff blade. It cut faster for me than the 3" cutoff. jm2cw

[Puff]

Went to Lowe's...found a 4 1/2" angle grinder with a few dewalt cutoff wheels..used it for the last 12"of the door will admit it is better

[bluecatfish]

Great to hear it is cutting better for you.

[Rev.Mike]

[Puff]

Made a little progress this morning but had a ton of other stuff to take care of. Anyway, here are a few pictures

Of the last 30 feet of welding material I have run, this is my best 6-7 inches

.

.

[Big T]

It's looking good ! just keep chipping away at it.

[SmokinFF]

You're gettin there, keep up the good work.

[Smokeone]

Sent from my iPhone using Forum Runner

[bluecatfish]

Fine looking weld bead. Practice makes perfect.

[Clover Ridge Smokers]

[dwwantasmoker]