Starting my 250 gallon build

[streetsmoker75]

Hey everyone FNG here starting my build or actually the tear down began..

First I wanna say thanks to Frank for helping me with which plans would best suit me on my goals and would like to thank everyone else who has helped as well..

We got the stacks cut off and all the trim off from around the previous doors so we can weld it back solid.. Also got all the previous racks and guides cut out and grinded down... Hopefully get the ends cut off and cut the rest of the smoker off the trailer and start the build..

I've got a couple of questions.. Of course.. My brother is the welder /fabricator so when it comes to the build I'll be listening to him.
1st... The plans call for 1/4 plate for everything and was wondering cause of the weight if I could get by with 3/16 plate for BP cc wb or is it essential to use what's recommended...
2nd...how can I tell what weight my axle is rated at.. It don't have breaks but has 5 lug 15 inch wheels...

Thanks again everyone

At the brothers shop

The shop

The starting

At the brothers shop

So far

[ajfoxy]

I'd be going with 1/4". Of course RC might advise heavier

But you can bet none of his pits ever fall apart or wear out.

[Squiggle]

Yeah, thicker is better, helps with heat retention & evening out the radiant heat to preventing hot spots.

[Rodcrafter]

yep, what they said, 1/4" is really the smallest I'd go for any of it. And even with that on the BP i would put a shadow plate between the heat source and the BP if I have room.

[Stewart]

I agree 1/4 is the smallest I'd go. I used 1/4 for everything but my wc. I've yet to see any warping or cause fir concern. Once the pit comes to temp it will hold and radiates for a long time.

[streetsmoker75]

And even with that on the BP i would put a shadow plate between the heat source and the BP if I have room...


Rodcrafter could you please explain a little more about the shadow plate.. Where it goes and the benefits of it.. Thanks

[streetsmoker75]

1/4 it will be.. Thanks everyone

[Rodcrafter]

I guess I'm jumping the gun a bit, let me ask where your heat source is going to be?


Making memories!

[streetsmoker75]

Hi Rodcrafter I purchased a set of plans from Frank for a 72x30 pipe.. It'll have a fire box and warming cabinet with racks and all the gadgets... We sealed the doors today that was previously cut and my brother will be cutting the sides off the tank and cutting the tank off the trailer so we can reconstruct the back of the trailer and get it sandblasted then we'll get the pipe fb and wc all put together we'll put it on the trailer..

I guess to answer your question the heat source will be at the back of the trailer

[streetsmoker75]

The doors tacked in and old hinges removed and grinded down

[Rodcrafter]

Ok now I have the right thing in mind. The shadow plate in my similar build is the same as the top of the FB like a BP but in this case it only goes 12-18" away from the FB. This is below the BP by at least an inch. It works well for offset and center feed. I thought you were building a center feed (CF) because of the position of the tank on the trailer.


Making memories!

[streetsmoker75]

Thanks Rodcrafter for the info but I'm still a little confused lol.. So the shadow plate goes below the BP in the cc an inch below the BP but above the throat opening about 18 inches from the fb to the end of the shadow plate... Does the shadow plate purpose just keep the cc heat next to the fb at a lower temperature...

Sorry for all the questions but very grateful for all the help

[Rodcrafter]

Ok, so I see I have confused you nicely. The shadow plate looks like the BP but it is shorter, beginning at the FB side and only running 12-18". It is located below the BP an inch if you can do it and it should be easy with a 250. The purpose is to help not to have such a hot spot on your BP right out of the FB.


Making memories!

[streetsmoker75]

Thanks so much Rodcrafter that's what I was thinking but couldn't get the words out lol.. I much appreciate the info... I gotta go truckin for a couple of weeks then I'll be back at it[