18" smoker build with 5/8" firebox?

bigsal51

Smoke Blower

Original poster

Jul 6, 2008

132

10

• Feb 6, 2013

• #1

Just finished a smoker for my buddy and he cringed when I told him 650$. As I'm making it I keep telling myself man this is a lot of work for a couple hundred bucks. The iron itself was expensive. The two end caps for the firebox alone were 48$ a piece. Sometimes I think I shouldn't make any for my friends cause I end up breaking even almost and not making any profit. Was this price not fare?
Oh and what's the deal not finding high temp gloss paint anymore. Guy at Walmart said they discontinued it?

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• bigsal51
• Feb 6, 2013

 

bigsal51

Smoke Blower

Original poster

Thread starter

Jul 6, 2008

132

10

• Feb 6, 2013

• #2

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• bigsal51
• Feb 6, 2013

 

bigsal51

Smoke Blower

Original poster

Thread starter

Jul 6, 2008

132

10

• Feb 6, 2013

• #3

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• bigsal51
• Feb 6, 2013

 

wes w

Master of the Pit

OTBS Member

Jul 31, 2012

1,175

82

NW North Carolina

• Feb 7, 2013

• #4

The build looks awesome!   I have no clue what metal cost.  I've learned the hard way, you get what you pay for.   Tell your friend to go buy a char-griller and keep it for yourself!   

I think when I repaint my frames and doors in the spring,  I'm just going to get a brush on paint.    Once the grease starts running down them, it really won't matter.  :-)

Wes

 

smokin-aces

Meat Mopper

Dec 28, 2012

194

12

Normandy, TN

• Feb 9, 2013

• #5

You can use high heat engine paint which is sold at nearly every auto parts store. ~$5 a can and up to 500-800 degrees F. As far as the price goes I do not know... I know that I see a lot of trailer smokers on craigslist for ~$1000 so $650 to me is a little high for this one. I would feel more comfortable buying this one for somewhere around $400. 

 

tequilero

Newbie

Dec 8, 2012

18

12

Rio Grande Valley Texas Border wars in my backyar

• Feb 9, 2013

• #6

Hey bigsal51 I purchased this for 1000.00 last father's day at a retail grocery store. I had had my eyes on it for 4 years before I finally got a PO from the boss to buy it.

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/g/a/126929/16-x-32-single-lid-lyfe-tyme-smoker-w-firebox/

I think your price is reasonable and that your buddy should not be complaining. If he does not like the price he can buy some of the commercial junk that is out there. His loss if you ask me.

 

Last edited: Feb 10, 2013

daveomak

SMF Hall of Fame Pitmaster

OTBS Member

★ Lifetime Premier ★

Nov 12, 2010

27,123

4,979

Omak,Washington,U.S.A.

• Feb 9, 2013

• #7

That was a fair price.....  I love it when "acquaintances" stop in and want something repaired and welded... I give an estimate for time and materials... $45/hr....  they think it's highway robbery.....   the shop down the road wants $90/hr...   

    What is material these days  $1.20 /#

 

bigsal51

Smoke Blower

Original poster

Thread starter

Jul 6, 2008

132

10

• Feb 10, 2013

• #8

That's a good point on weight and hrs

 

05sprcrw

Smoking Fanatic

Feb 7, 2012

324

18

Rural NE

• Feb 12, 2013

• #9

DaveOmak said:

That was a fair price.....  I love it when "acquaintances" stop in and want something repaired and welded... I give an estimate for time and materials... $45/hr....  they think it's highway robbery.....   the shop down the road wants $90/hr...   

    What is material these days  $1.20 /#

Click to expand...

That is exactly why I generally don't even bother quoting building jobs for friends.  I have done it but I explain it pretty much like you laid out and told them my time is worth something. I could have been doing something else I enjoy like cooking instead of a build for them.  I don't mind helping them out if they aren't just trying to get it cheap because they know me type of deal.