Stump's Clone

[KarateDoc]

Hello Everyone,

Sorry for the long first post but I promise that I will fill this with lots of pictures and show the progress of my build. It will be slow since I own two businesses and work about 60-70 hours a week.

I have been BBQing for awhile now if you want to call it that in California. I have watched videos and read a million articles on the subject of smoking meat and have had an old Hibachi, Webers and using a couple modified Traeger's at the present time. What I like about the Traegers are I can set it up at night and smoke brisket and have it the next day. I just monitor my wireless thermometers. You know if you are lookin' you ain't cookin'. People love my BBQ but I am still not satisfied.

I found and bought a 100 gallon compressor tank and was going to build a RF stick burner and begun the calculations for the firebox etc. Based on the final size I don't have much room for it in my yard. After reading through all 5 pages of the Smoker Clones Thread I have changed my mind and looking to build a GF Stump's Clone. I usually just cook for the wife and I but like leftovers and want to bring some into the office to share. I can't really cook a lot on the setup I have now so looking for more cooking surface in a small footprint.

The mini would be great as it is light enough to load up and go but I think I would run out of space if I were to entertain a small party. The Stump's Clone is probably overkill but I figure so many people want my BBQ enough that I could have them drop off meat to me and I could cook it for them or charge a small fee for my supplies.

So going to sell the compressor tank and my large Traeger and keep the small Traeger and this will fund my project. I figure if the Stump's Clone is too big in the long run I could sell it and build me 2 Mini's and I could use one most of the time and if I decide later on to build a trailer they would be much easier to transport.

Looking at the plans I see a few mods I would like to make like not making the doors inset like on the mini.

18 gauge seems awfully thin and I hate welding thin sheet metal. The difference between 18g and 14g for the interior and exterior would be around 72 lbs. based off using 2 full 4x8 sheets of 14 gauge.

So what are your thoughts for my modifications?

Any other suggestions you can make before I begin?

[Big T]

I don't see anything wrong with your proposed mods. The big GF's are pretty darn heavy (so I've heard) so what's another 75lbs.

[Squiggle]

I'm using 14g on the inside skin of my mini GF & it's made it pretty heavy. The main reason I did it was because I got it cheap but also because I figured that it would retain heat better in the CC too.

[KarateDoc]

So far I have ordered some latches, wheels, stainless grab bars and bullet hinges.

Just to make my job easier I went out and purchased a milwaukee metal cutting saw with a cold cut blade. I already have a welder, various grinders, sanders and plasma.

I will be building in stages. Next week it is off to the steel supply to buy tubing and flat plate for the firebox.

Quick question - What would a Traeger Texas Pro - Bronze with a cover and shelf be worth on the used market. I have few people I know who are interested. Going to sell it to fund my project.
http://www.traegergrills.com/shop/grill ... RZ#start=5

[KarateDoc]

Hope everyone had a great 4th of July. Wife asked me what I wanted for my birthday coming up in a couple weeks. I said you know that smoker I want to build? She said go out and buy the materials. You know what hat means? I get to build it faster!

Headed out to get the materials and also buy more shielding gas.

[Pete Mazz]

SWEEEEET!!!

[KarateDoc]

I just got back and unloaded about 300 lbs of steel for now. I have enough to do the frame, firebox and inner panels. I am building it out of .063 2x2 for the frame and 14 gauge inner and outer panels. Had them shear some of the sheet to rough size so I would just have to make the shorter cuts. This will make maneuvering much easier.

Steel is more expensive in California and so far I paid $412.78 only $30.00 was the shearing fee. Still need the rest for the outer panels and the shelves. Figure roughly about another $250.00.

Already have most of the hardware - slam latch, ball valves, stainless grab bars, hinges, caster wheels.

[SmokinHawgBBQ]

That's Definatly a Wife who understands the need to create!!
Mike

[Squiggle]

Awesome stuff!

[KarateDoc]

Today was the start of the building of the main frame. I decided to make a few more changes adding a couple more inches in width and decreasing the depth a couple inches. This will allow me to put in two full size pans side by side or front to back. Only had time to make the font and rear frames and tomorrow I will finish boxing it out. I will post up pictures after I complete the frame.

[Rodcrafter]

Don't forget to put the insulation in the tubes before you weld them together. You don't want it to transfer heat through to the outside skin.


Making memories.

[Big T]

[Squiggle]

Totally

[KarateDoc]

Thanks for the advice all! I did fill the frame work with insulation. The frame is nearly finished, just need to add a few more cross pieces. I decided to pick up a 10lb roll of ER70S-6 .023 wire. The .035 wire I was using was blowing through some of my welds. I went back and redid some and will do a few more as I start to put the panels on.

Had to use a ratchet strap to keep the frame square prior to welding. Measured cross each corner to keep it from racking. After welding it was within 1/16" of an inch.


I thought I had some 1/2" plate for the firebox but only have 3/8", now debating if I should use it or go purchase some plate. Any thoughts?

So here is where I stopped today.

[Rodcrafter]

I don't think that I'm the person to ask about steel thickness. I like things on the heavy side. But for the sake of input I would go with 1/2"


Making memories.

[Frank_Cox]

Awesome job so far!!
3/8 will work fine on the burn chamber


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[Frank_Cox]

1/2 is better tho. If ya can't find scrap then use some 3/8


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[KarateDoc]

Thanks Frank. I figure since this will probably be my go to BBQ and will be passed down I should build it to last a long time. I went out and purchased the steel.

Stay tuned for the next installment. Hopefully this weekend I will have more pics.

[Pete Mazz]

That's RC's motto: "When in doubt use thicker steel."

[Squiggle]

[Rodcrafter]

That's RC's motto: "When in doubt use thicker steel."

I wish that were true, I just go straight to heavy as I can lift anyway.

[KarateDoc]

This weekend had time to add the additional internal bracing and begin to work on the fire box assembly. I modified the plans so had to rework the dimensions slightly. Middle, Lower and Transfer Tube all assembled and added a removable grate on the bottom that can be pulled in case of a runaway fire.

Still need to make an insert for the Transfer Tube, planning on making it a friction fit so when it wears out a new one can be installed. Drill a hole for the schedule 40 2" pipe for the temperature control.

Future plans are to also add an ash dump tray.

Next fabrication day the plans are to assemble the Top Fire Box Assembly and get that installed

Here are the pics.

Middle and Lower Fire Box Assembly with Transfer Tube


Removeable Grate


Looking down at the Removeable Grate from the top of the fire box assembly

[Pete Mazz]

Nice!!

[Squiggle]

Nice work dude, very cool!

[Countryboy72]