firebox

[hank1965]

So I have searched all over the forum looking at fireboxes..I have not bee lucky enought to locate a good tutorial on them
so I have a few questions.
Is 1/4 steel ok
will I need to reinforce the door
should I double wall it(at a much greater expense)
im lost on building a door for the fire box whats the best way....

you all get the drift.....
I can use some ideas and some photo's

[Squiggle]

It's not as hard as it looks, you just build a box & put a door on it. 1/4 will be ok. You don't need to reinforce the door, but it will help stop the chance of warping. You can insulate the FB, it will save on fuel & have a more effective use of the heat. The door is pretty simple, make the rest of the box & make the door out of a piece of plate, put hinges on one side of the door & a latch on the other.

[ajfoxy]

Don't over think it. Sometimes when I'm stumped how to build something I use CAD (carboard aided design). I build it out of cardboard, sometimes not even to scale, just to see where the bends go and what to watch out for. For a firebox, probably best to build it to scale. Once you it it all taped together and are happy with the shape, size etc, cut the tape and all your pieces should be ready to use as a template on your steel.

[Frank_Cox]

Haha cardboard aided design!
Check out the thread called MACK.
I went into a lot of detail about that

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[Big T]

[Rodcrafter]

I have to agree the "CAD" thing was great advice. I also would agree with Squiggle about the 1/4" being a safe thickness. The only time you would get into warped parts of the FB is if the FB is going to be on the large side.


Making memories!

[hank1965]

DO any of you put any sort of insulator around the firebox door....

[Big T]

I don't but some guys use the self adhesive flat nomex gasket and I have seen a few guys use fiberglass rope gasket. If you decide to use a gasket be sure to space your hinges so it doesn't bind and seals tight.

[hank1965]

whats the best way to drill holes in 1/4 plate

[Big T]

A drill press is the easiest but if it's something that you can't get on there then you'll need a good sharp bit,some oil to keep the bit lubricated and a low speed drill. Keep good steady pressure, slow speed and don't over heat the bit.

[ajfoxy]

slow and steady

[Squiggle]

Definitely agree, slow & lubricated.(yes DC, I know that's what she said. )

[Dirtytires]

My 2 cents...make sure you size the door properly. Make sure it is big enough to get your wood and any charcoal baskets thru. fighting to feed a fire cause the door is undersized is no fun.

What are you drilling a hole for?

[hank1965]

Dirtytires its for the drain and valve

[Rodcrafter]

For a hole that big I use a hole saw, it has the small bit in the center and the size you want on the outside. If you don't have any drill chill, lube for the differential of a car works great to keep the saw cool. Turn it very slow so not to ruin it. I drill them through thicker than 1/2" so you can too.

[Dirtytires]

Drain makes sense...I was hoping you were not going to drill holes for the hinge screws!

Slow on the drill with steady pressure like rodcrafter said.

[AndrewPalmer71]

What brand hole saw do you guys use? Do you use the ones made for wood, or wood and steel?


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[ajfoxy]

Steel...

[mp4]

I've had good luck with Milwaukee. Lenox is good too...

[Rodcrafter]

Yes, what MP4 said


Making memories!

[Welder10]

Here is how I built my fb door. I put rope gasket on the door also. It sealed up tight and works good for me.

[Rodcrafter]

Very good plan


Making memories!

[Squiggle]

[ajfoxy]

That'll work well.

[Big T]