New build, 16x36 grill

[QueTex]

Started the build yesterday hoping to finish by weekend but highly unlikely. Curious if you guys weld the sides closed before cutting out the doors with a torch or do you do the doors first then weld the sides? Pipe is 3/8 thick btw but just wondering about warpage during the welding of the side plates.

[QueTex]

Anybody use a cutoff wheel for doors on a pipe that thick before?

[Rodcrafter]

I like to at least stitch weld the ends on first to keep the pipe from changing shape cutting the door(s). It seems that if can cut say 6" on opposite sides then let cool before cutting more it will help to not warp the door. I never have cut 3/8" with a wheel but it could happen.

[Puff]

Man, I hate cutoff wheels. I have to use 'em but I hate to. Don't make a YouTube video of those cuts...the Internet Doesn't have that much space!

[QueTex]

lol Puff I feel your pain have tried them and wonder if it's me? Gonna just use the torch tomarrow, trying to finish it in time for the weekend cook off. Thanks Rod will try that, been since 2011 that I have not built a cooker so cant even remember how I did the doors then.