20" Pipe RF Smoker

  • Some of the links on this forum allow SMF, at no cost to you, to earn a small commission when you click through and make a purchase. Let me know if you have any questions about this.
SMF is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Got a start on the front pivoting wheel hub yesterday after the rain ended. Next I'll drill holes for the 1 1/4" axle rod, and weld it to the bottom front of the CC. The bottom 4" pipe will "Pivot" inside the hub so I can pull it around with my lawn tractor.

 
Think about putting in a zerk fitting in that collar..... maybe.....
Good Idea Dave. I will be able to just lift it off the collar, but that would save having to do that. l won't be moving it around much so a good slathering of grease before I set it on there should last a while.
 
I see the opportunity for a leveling devise here in your collar and pivot but it would only work if the front of the smokere was low not high. You could weld a nut over a hole in the collar and use a bolt to pinch against the pivot after raiseing the smoker level. Did that make any sence.
 
Made some progress attaching the front wheel hub. Starting to come together. Going to the tractor graveyard tomorrow to pick up the fire grate I saw the last time I was there. Not sure what part of an old tractor it was, but I think it will work in the round bottom FB I have. Still need to weld on some bracing where the wheel hub attaches to the CC. Seat and Steering wheel are just wired in place for looks.



 Wheels are temporarily set in place.

 
Last edited:
I see the opportunity for a leveling devise here in your collar and pivot but it would only work if the front of the smokere was low not high. You could weld a nut over a hole in the collar and use a bolt to pinch against the pivot after raiseing the smoker level. Did that make any sence.
Makes sense to me. Good idea Wolfman. It will sit stationary for the most part on some patio bricks in the back yard once I set it in place. But the bolt idea will keep it from "Teetering" as it will have some play in that pivot.

Thanks for the idea.
 
Went to the Tractor Graveyard today. This place is amazing. Picked up the FB grate which is a screen from an old combine.


There were quite a few people pickin' parts today. Great place if you're into restoring old tractors or other farm implements.


Without any modification the screen fits in the FB like it was made for it. And the vents

in the door contour to the shape of the grate. I might weld some left over 1" angle iron for it to sit on.

As is, it's sitting on the weld bead connecting the lower half pipe to the flat steel side walls.

I plan on having a cleanout tray under the grate.

 
Last edited:
If some of those rear fenders were a little older and had more rust, I'm sure a pair would have followed you home! That grate is a perfect fit, is it 1/4" stock? It may be thick enough that it won't sag when it gets hot but it looks like it fits so well it really doesn't have far it could go down. Great find!
 
 
If some of those rear fenders were a little older and had more rust, I'm sure a pair would have followed you home! That grate is a perfect fit, is it 1/4" stock? It may be thick enough that it won't sag when it gets hot but it looks like it fits so well it really doesn't have far it could go down. Great find!
Actually Len, my wife did bring home one fender and some other pieces. She made a really cool wine rack from an old John Deere tractor hood we picked up the last time we were there.

Yes, the grate is 1/4" thick. Hopefully it will hold up under the heat. I remember making a fire so hot in my fireplace one winter it sagged the 1/2" steel fire grate.

Decided to go ahead and weld in the 1" angle iron I had left over for the grate to sit on.

I didn't want it to sag and get so bound up in there that I couldn't get it out if I had to.


Welded one of the braces on from a left over piece of flat steel. I want to put another one in the front.


Got the CC door back on. Once I get the thermometers installed, I'll start the first fire.

Notice the old tractor oil cap on top of the chimne just to keep the rain out. It was so hot

and humid out this morning my camera lenz was fogging up.


The wine rack my wife made. She's got a creative knack for seeing somthing in old junk.

 
Last edited:
Your wife does very nice work, she could market those skills!

I can't wait to see how you rig the steering wheel to open the CC door, this build just keeps getting better!
 
 
Just gotta say WOW!!! Great looking build!
Thank You! It's gettin there. Should be firing it up this weekend to see how the heat holds.

Question for the group: Does anyone on here think the rusty inside of my CC will be a problem? It's not flaking off, just surface rust.

I've been contemplating having it sand blasted but I doubt it woul really affect the meat. Still haven't decided if I will paint the exterior yet.

That Tank building company that bent the RF plate does sandblasting, but I'm sure it's expensive.
 
I know that my sandblaster isn't that expensive. The last thing I had done 55 gallon drum inside and out was $25. You'd probably be fine without sandblasting, but you might run into problems down the road with the "seasoning flaking off and falling onto the food. At a bare minimum I would hit it with an aggressive wire wheel really good. But that's dusty work!

You could always do some bartering, Smoke a few pork butts up in trade...
 
 
Just gotta say WOW!!! Great looking build!
Thanks
 
It's too bad that you live so far away from Oregon. Your smoker would fit right in at the Great Oregon Steam Up Festival!

http://www.antiquepowerland.com/html/steam-up.html


Photos:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/dirtsailor2003/sets/72157646479020039/
That looks like some of the old tractors I googled for inpiration for the build.
 
SmokingMeatForums.com is reader supported and as an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases.

Latest posts

Clicky