My first build - 120 gallon tank

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Nice,    and top notch help Too

Gary
 
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I'm starting a build as we speak and I'm pricing firebox metal now. Is that just a standard circular saw with abrasive wheel or is that a special saw/blade? we have access to a plasma cutter but neither of us have a ton of experience and I feel like a saw is going to be a lot cleaner cut. Esp when fabricating the firebox.
Tykenn,

Yes the saw is a skilsaw, like 10 or so years old with an abrasive blade(s).  You probably can't see but the cord is spliced together in 2 places, when I first got it I was building my deck and accidently cut the cord with the decking twice, lucky I didn't 'cute myself.  It cuts really well and some cuts I used a bit of angle iron to get straight as an arrow cuts.  I was cutting square tubing today, both 90 and 45 degree and started with my dewalt compound mitre saw (not the right tool) and quickly switched to the ole skilsaw.  It is awesome for cutting, at least compared to the other tools I have.  I was browsing through Home Depot today looking at circular saws but see no reason to replace it.

The firebox is 1/4" and I had no problem, I cut about 12 - 14 linear feet on a single blade, only had to change it when I when cutting the square tubing.  Good luck with it.  This is my first project with anything like this and the advice from the folks here and tons of youtube videos (careful some are horrible) plus a little of luck has made this project successful so far and a ton of fun.

Joe
 
Tykenn,
Yes the saw is a skilsaw, like 10 or so years old with an abrasive blade(s).  You probably can't see but the cord is spliced together in 2 places, when I first got it I was building my deck and accidently cut the cord with the decking twice, lucky I didn't 'cute myself.  It cuts really well and some cuts I used a bit of angle iron to get straight as an arrow cuts.  I was cutting square tubing today, both 90 and 45 degree and started with my dewalt compound mitre saw (not the right tool) and quickly switched to the ole skilsaw.  It is awesome for cutting, at least compared to the other tools I have.  I was browsing through Home Depot today looking at circular saws but see no reason to replace it.

The firebox is 1/4" and I had no problem, I cut about 12 - 14 linear feet on a single blade, only had to change it when I when cutting the square tubing.  Good luck with it.  This is my first project with anything like this and the advice from the folks here and tons of youtube videos (careful some are horrible) plus a little of luck has made this project successful so far and a ton of fun.

Joe
awesome! That's good to know. Thanks for the info joe
 
Here is a build I just completed from a very similar tank. Just smoked for the first time this past weekend.

I have more pics if interested.... I found the information on this site helpful from start to finish.

Just decided to add them in case others can benefit.

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Update..... Rather than take over you post I created a new thread and will post more pictures of my build under it.


http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/189730/120-gallon-trailer-build
 
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Here is a build I just completed from a very similar tank. Just smoked for the first time this past weekend.

I have more pics if interested.... I found the information on this site helpful from start to finish.

Just decided to add them in case others can benefit.

Would like to see more pictures please...
 
Man its been along time since I have posted, life getting real crazy.  I have been able to find time here and there to work on the old smoker, actually got quite a bit done. 

Hinges on.



Bending flat stock for the CC door



Building the frame.





Handle on.


Makeshift crane, its a come along in the garage.  Lifted the CC to weld to the FB.  Think I have pics of the FB on my phone, it so I'll post em later.





Little guys bolting the casters to the frame.




It was too heavy on the FB side, got higher weight rated casters next to the FB and put weights on the opposite side to offset the FB weight.
 
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Found some more pics on my phone. 

I have a few questions also.  I need to burn it out, how well do I need to grind the inside rust off, like mirror finish or just get the surface rust off, and can I use a grinder with a grinding/polishing blade?  How long should I burn it for and I live in a suburban neighborhood I think I need to keep the fire down to a gentle fire no blazing infernos.  How long after can I wait to season after the burn out?  I have seen a lot of opinions about what to season with, is there general wisdom on the best oil to use?

Thanks again all for your kind words, suggestions and advice.  Will keep you appraised of farther progress.

Joe


Welding up the FB




Memorial Day beef ribs


Early Father's Day present from my wife.  She really knows me well...


Fabricated the smoke stack tonight.  Thanks to whoever I stole this design from  ;)





Tacked in, needs to be fully welded in.  Also installed the counterweight for the CC door, it is a little too light, need to add like 2 lbs to it (thats why I have that piece of steel hanging from in now.
 
Looks great Joe! I see sparks in the garage still draws your son like a moth to the light, great stuff. 
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You don't have to over do the burnout if it doesn't have much of a gas smell, just a good fire so it will loosen the paint and make it easy for you to get off with a wire brush on your angle grinder. As for the rust inside, once you burn it out, wire brush it down and wipe it off with a rag with cooking oil, when the rag comes up without too much brown dust on it, you should be good. Start a fire and get it up to the 300 degree range and treat it like you would do a cast iron skillet in the oven. I've used canola the most but bacon grease smells better!
 
Thanks for the help and encouragement Len and Smoke. 

Len, there is no gas smell, the tank has been open for years and sitting in front of a firewood and propane lot with the phone number on it.  I am burning it out now and will let it burn for a bunch of hours, probably like 6 just to make sure.  Hopefully get to season it in a week or two.  Still need to finish the FB door, bunch of sanding, complete chimney and build the food racks.  I am using expanded metal for the food racks, I was planning of wire wheeling the rust off to clean metal and seasoning it with oil like the inside of the CC.

Smoke, I have been putting so much thought into it, execution on the other hand has been mostly good.  Couple of little issues here and there.

Joe
 
Your Choice, The first one we built we went flat, we both looked at each other and said Gloss

Gary
 
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