It's time for my 250 build

[flyfishjeep]

I'm really into this build.  I have  250 gal tank coming soon.  The only problem will be moving it.  I guess an engine hoist will have to do...

Can't wait to see more pics of the truck *cough, cough*  I mean smoker!  I don't doubt that the powerstroke will have any trouble.  I have a 94 dually that will be pulling mine.  But yes, your drop hitch will be about 3 ft tall! 

 

[raptor700]

WOW! thats a pile of wood.

With a fire like that a person could have roasted 4 or 5 hundred bags of marshmallows.

That's the idea right? It will never get hotter than that again!!

 

 

[raptor700]

It's about time I update my build! I got the RF plate installed, Finally have the racks in place! 25sq ft of cookin area! The white color is the Ospho I brushed on the metal.

 

[tom37]

Its looking good raptor, ur in the home stretch. At first I didn't like the two door deal but I think now its growing on me.

Nice Work.

 

[raptor700]

Its looking good raptor, ur in the home stretch. At first I didn't like the two door deal but I think now its growing on me.

Nice Work.

Thanks Tom, I wanted a rack I could access from either side that I could slide out. Very glad I did, In the long run I think it will be beneficial!

 

[deannc]

Great looking rig you're building raptor!  I'd give anything to have the skill and equipment to build these incredible rigs you guys are building!  Can't wait to see her all finished up pumping out some Qview.  

 

[smoke_chef]

Very cool. I love the access from both sides. Can't wait to see this finished. You got some crazy mad skills there Raptor!!

 

[crawfishslayer]

Raptor,

Great job so far. Thanks for all of the pics. I am in the middle of a similar build and I have a question about the door handles. Your tank looks like it is mounted higher off the ground than mine and i am anticipating some trouble when I try to mount my handles. When the doors are propped open. It looks like the handle will almost be out of my reach (I'm 5'10") unless I mount them very low, which might get in the way of a shelf. So my question is, can you reach your handles easily or is the handle mounted on the side of the door to help you close it? I can't tell if that is a latch to keep the door closed or if it is another handle.

Thanks for your help. 

 

[raptor700]

Raptor,

Great job so far. Thanks for all of the pics. I am in the middle of a similar build and I have a question about the door handles. Your tank looks like it is mounted higher off the ground than mine and i am anticipating some trouble when I try to mount my handles. When the doors are propped open. It looks like the handle will almost be out of my reach (I'm 5'10") unless I mount them very low, which might get in the way of a shelf. So my question is, can you reach your handles easily or is the handle mounted on the side of the door to help you close it? I can't tell if that is a latch to keep the door closed or if it is another handle.

Thanks for your help. 

Thanks Crawfishslayer, I will have some better pics coming soon but yes I can reach the handles and stand flat footed and I'm 5' 8" That is why they are angled down, if not I couldn't reach them to close the door! The handles on each end are door latches to help seal the doors tight. My shelves are going to be well below the door opening so it's not a problem. Good Luck on your build

 

 

[raptor700]

Here is RibZilla   I'M still working on the warmin' box, Didn't have quite enough steel to finish it! But It's going to be added soon.I couldn't take it any longer so I fired it up with 4 sticks of hickory, in 1and 1/2 hrs she was settled at 250* so I sprayed the inside with cookin spray added 1 stick every 30-45 mins and let it run for about 5hrs! This thing was unbelievably stable from end to end and side to side, It holds 250* with very little effort! I had 10# of leg quarters in the fridge

 so on they went, More Qview to follow soon but what better way to season a smoker? There are a few more bells and whistles I want to add but this is the basic rig! Anyway on to some pics!!!

 

[tom37]

I know pictures don't show everything but from what I can see it looks alot like the store bought rigs. it sure cleaned up and painted nice.

Nice Job

 

[matts]

That looks great.  Very well done.

 

[raptor700]

Thanks Guys, I also wanted to add that the price tag was $1,514.28 Not counting the 145 hrs of my time it took to build! But now that it's almost complete, it was well worth the effort! Also the paint was 1000* rust-o-leum in the quart can, and has still not peeled of the fire box! So far it is doing very well even after keeping a fire in it for 12 hrs.

 

[Bearcarver]

Rap,

I've been following this since Day 1.

It looks beautiful! And sounds like it works great too!

Really Nice !!!!!

Thanks for taking us on this ride,

Bear

 

[tom37]

Wow, I would have never guessed that you had that much tied up in it. I was gonna guess not even 700 not counting time in it.

Did the paint you used from the quart can offer a unique finish. Mine is not a surface texture that I have ever seen from paint in the past. Its hard to describe but I want to say it dries out really smooth and fills great. Its sitting in the drive and every time I walk by the light comes on and I just want to slide my hand across it. Its just a different look, its hard to explain.

 

[Bearcarver]

If I remember correctly, that sheet of 1/4" steel was $300 alone.

Then that F350 had to be at least another $200.

Wow, it sure adds up!

Bear

 

[brud]

I love it.

 

[flyfishjeep]

Raptor- that whole set up is sweet.  I really like how you have it sitting low on the trailer with the work countertop and everything.  The wood storage box up front is ideal. My favorite part is the two sided slide outs! 

If you lived closer you would probably have to come get that smoker out of my yard a few times after I "tried it out" for you.

GREAT JOB!

 

[raptor700]

 Did the paint you used from the quart can offer a unique finish

 I am very pleased with it Tom, I't looks very good almost like a powder coat (kinda). What amazes me is that it is sticking to the FB very well! But I don't know if that's because I brushed Ospho on it first to help etch the metal before painting or if it's just that good!

 

[cdldriver]

What type of paint did you use? and really nice build.