Good luck in your build...i'm no pro at this...lotta mis-matched uneven seams, etc....but I offer these things/tips that I have found after hours of searching for the best deals on best products
the hinges,
thermometers,(I got the 5" 2-1/2" stem)
latches, dont skimp on latches...these are over-kill but have the only right length in the throats i've found and it does take some pull to seal the rope gaskets off good...
rope gasket for the doors ..
it's 65' long and you will only use about 20' but have plenty for future use...
1" kao wool insulation...I got mine off ebay....
18 ga flat is plenty heavy enough
use all thinwall tubing...stout enough for anything...this thing will weigh 300# ++ when finished even using thin wall metal
the colored aluminum should be available locally if you want to use colors...I got mine in Memphis at OH Hendricks Metal...$65 a 10'x4' .040 thick sheet (1 sheet is enough for outer skin) and the shiny aluminum for doors was $55 a sheet..you will have more than enough to fold you a water pan outa the shiny aluminum.....if all else fails ask someone in your area that races stock cars...they use the aluminum for their skin on the cars...
on 1st build i built a water pan and plumbed it outside for auto-watering...not necessary IMHO...amount of extra work isnt worth the trouble...fold a 23"x23" water pan with 5" sides and it will hold enough water to last 4-5 hrs..
wheels, if you want it portable, are available from Harbor Freight for about $5 each
be sure to fold you an ash pan for under charcoal/wood tray...whole lot easier to pull ash pan out n dump it rather than trying to scoop it out or wash it out
I got 2 boxes of 100 3/16th rivets from Harbor Freight for about $4 ea...I riveted the outer skin, the rope gasket around doors and the trim...
RUHHHH ROHHHHHH
<~~~ this was the only thing in my post
Jack, sorry I had to delete the offsite links...... Policy now.... DaveOmak
