Firebox air inlet dampers

[Brewery]

On my smoker I used some C-clamps for the dampers (see pic) but I've found after a long winter of sitting around they rust and are but of a pain. I'm wishing I would have gone with the "normal" sliding damper. I no longer have that option with the way my fb is mounted to trailer. Anyone have any ideas that would let me get rid of current dampers for something better? The clamps are far from rusted to the point I can't use them but I'm growing less and less fond of them

[CrazyD]

Antiseize is your best friend on things like these.

Nifty idea using them like that.

[SmokinFF]

Cut the clamps off. Weld a nut in the center of that opening and a bolt to a flat round plate. Threads will then be outta the weather when they're closed.
Did I lose ya?

[Brewery]

Gotcha!