1st build, 64 gallon lp tank RF vertical design ?

[mag1]

Making a little progress on small stuff, welded up my FB grate today at lunch. For now, I am going to leave side off it. Due to the round tank in the back of the FB, I don't ahve enough expanded metal to make a complete basket, so this way will work. I also made up the rack rails for the CC, and cut some supports for the FB grate as well. I pretty much have everything ready for when I borrow a welder to finish it up. Then, time for a burn to clean off all the oils, ect..., then paint time. Still a little ways off.

[Big T]

Slow progress is better than No progress

[mag1]

Finished welding the cooking grate supports in last night. Now for the departure in plans. I wraped the FB with the outer skin to see how it would fit, didn't look to bad, but I had some gaps that i wasn't sure about, so I put the insulation on, then re-installed the outer skin. one side looked ok, but as the skin wraped around the FB on the right side, I ended up with some gaps that I don't feel comfortable trying to fill with weld, 1/4" or so for about 15-20" of lenght. So, as of right now, I pulled the insualtion off, and I'm thinking of just leaving it as an uninsulated centerfeed reverse flow. My welding skills are not good enough to fill the gaps. Any suggestions? try to fix and use as a designed, or just leave it. I should have taken some pictures. I'm not sure if the insulation would help that much or not. just trying to keep it fuel efficeint. Thanks

[bbroper]

My welding skills are also not the best. When I come across the situation of a gap I feel is to large to fill, I try to split the gap on both sides so I only have to fill 1/2 as much. Also if you have room you can lay some backing metal under the gap that makes filling it easier… JM2CW

[mag1]

Thanks for the input, I might give that a try. I really would like to see how it works with the insulation, also, covers up some of the structure I put on to hold the skin off. I'll see what I can come up with. Thanks

[Big T]

If you could get a couple of pictures someone might be able to help you out.

[Rodcrafter]

I would say that a center feed (CF) FB doesn't get all that hot anyway so insulation may not make much difference if it is only on the FB.

jm2cw

[mag1]

Sorry for not posting pic's yet. Been busy, had to get out in the woods on Sat. afternoon, Our bow season opener. after about 1/2 mile walk into marsh, found a guy in the tree i was headed to, went to another spot not to far away, got eaten alive by mosqutoes, and right at dark, had a nice buck at 80yds, just a little to far to shot. another day.

Anyways, I think I will be leaving the smoker without the insulation. I have one more rack to finish, then I can do a 1st burn to clean out the oil's, etc..... Then off to paint.

[Clover Ridge Smokers]

Yep it's that time of the year. I spend a ton of time in the wood in the fall and just love it.

[mag1]

Wish I could spend more time out in the woods, but to many things going on. I probably won't get out again till Oct, and hit it heavy the 1st week of Nov. I got to get this smoker done so I can have some tenderloin and make some Summer Sausage. (got to get a deer 1st)

[Clover Ridge Smokers]

[Rodcrafter]

[mag1]

I just did.my 1st burn. Got to get rid of all the mfg. Oils etc.... seems to work. I need to tweak my fire box door latch, then paint and season. I. Had it up to 350 or so and let it burn for about 3-4 hours. I'll post a pic once I download it.

[Big T]

[mag1]

Here are 2 pics. I need to do some tweaks yet.

[Clover Ridge Smokers]

Nice looking little cooker

[Big T]

[Rodcrafter]

I bet your going to be very happy with that rascal.

[bluecatfish]

[onesquin]

Looks good. Are the eyelets for tiedown only or something else?

[mag1]

They r for tie down. I have some on the base as well, and I thought some on the tank would work nice. They did. You can see them being used in the pics when I brought it home from my buddies.

[mag1]

I spent some time yesterday looking at my skin for the insulation on the firebox. I figured out what I need to do, so hopefully in the next couple of weeks I will be able to finish up all the welding. I think I will end up waiting till spring to paint as we are running out of warm days. Just not enough time to do everything I need to do.

[mag1]

I finally got the outside skin tacked in place, I need to spend some time sat. finishing up the welding. Insulation is in place, though i had to pull about about 1/2" off part of it to get the skin to fit right. Now if I can get the MIG welder to weld right. ok, it's me, still learning. Did some work on my pipe burner for the firebox. Got all the holes drilled, the Ventury is all set, just have to put it together and give it a test fire.

[mag1]

Spent last sat afternoon finish welding the skin in place (my mig welding sucks, though it is getting better). I'm going to have to do some grinding. I ran out of wire with about 10" left to go. I got the gaskets set on the doors last night. Now just to get some more wire in the next week or 3. Going to get out hunting in the next couple of weeks, so all my free time is being spent on some honey do things/playing with the kids, etc......

[mag1]

finally finished the welding Sat. afternoon. coated the entire outside in a spray on rust prevenative. It's getting to cold to paint. It will have to wait till spring when I can blast it again and paint it. Now to just finish up a couple of details on the pipe burner that will be going into the firebox, and to season up the inside. Then, time to learn how to use it. It actually looks pretty good. I wasn't sure exactly how it would finish up. I will need to get some pictures and post them sometime this week or so.