Gonna start a 60 Gal RF.

pit 4 brains · Jan 3, 2016

Hello all!

I've been away from the SMF for a while but I'm getting back into the game. I picked up a 60 gal compressor tank from my brother and I'm chomping at the bit to do a brisket by the 4th of July. I've been browsing around and seeing all kinds of ideas and such. I have a few questions that I may need to ask as I go along. These tanks don't fall out of the sky so I want to do this right the first time. I want to make this mobile enough to go through a walk-in gate but also look good on a trailer for local competitions. I started to day by cutting off the compressor mount and removing the bungs. I then started to remove the paint with a mild paint stripper. So far it seems like its working.

Pull up a chair, pour a coffee and enjoy the build.. All inputs are welcomed for sure!

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pit 4 brains
Jan 3, 2016

pit 4 brains · Jan 9, 2016

Here's the "elevation" of my fire box.

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pit 4 brains
Jan 9, 2016

pit 4 brains · Jan 9, 2016

Sorry. I have no idea why my phone or the site rotates my images. Up is to the right.

The box is 18x18x20 deep. This is the door end view. The dampers are shown in the open position and are 1" dia. top and 2" dia bottom. The dampers will slide to the left. The fire grate will ride on angle iron for easy removal. I did not add it to the drawing, but I am planning on a 1 1/2" deep ash pan to go under the grate for easy cleaning.

The grate will be made out of 1/2 inch square stock with only a few angle pieces for log control. The dimensions don't add up because I measured my drawing. I forgot I added space between the grate and supporting angle for clarity. I have some calks to do but I think this will fit Dave Omaks calculator.. Thanks Dave

IMG_0311-2.JPG

pit 4 brains
Jan 9, 2016

daveomak · Jan 10, 2016

Your numbers look good.... Nice drawing.....

pit 4 brains · Jan 10, 2016

Thanks Dave.

Your calculator was a big help. I should be getting some plate cut tomorrow.

Are these compressor tanks known to warp or spring out of shape when the lid is cut?

Is there any problem with grinding down the seam and having the door span it?

The latter would allow me to make a "right handed" smoker. Otherwise, my firebox will be on the left side. It may be original, but I think it would be awkward..

I'll probably be using an O/A torch to cut it open. I know to cut under hinges, weld them on then cut the rest. I plan on mounting my handle/rib/ counterweight combo on before I go all around. Then Ill apply my flange to the outside of the lid.. At least thats my plan.

pit 4 brains · Jan 18, 2016

I've made some good progress in the past week,

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pit 4 brains
Jan 18, 2016

I got my inlet cut, all seams ground off, and I am now starting to plan where my door will be. I plan on making my lower grate 3" above the RF plate (top of grate to plate). Does that sound about right?

IMG_0357.JPG

pit 4 brains
Jan 18, 2016

I had my FB sheared and tacked up at work. I used the back of the FB to tack down my door while I added the dampers to keep it from warping. That worked well! The rebar handles are temporary until I think of something cool to use..

Does anybody have any good latch designs that would be easy to fab in a garage with minimal tools ( horizontal band saw, O/A torch, 4 1/4 grinder and a 110 FCAW are in my arsenal)?

vdub66 · Jan 25, 2016

I did this latch with similar equipment recently.

image.jpg

vdub66
Jan 25, 2016

pit 4 brains · Jan 25, 2016

Very nice, thank you for the pic. I see this is your first post. Welcome to the SMF! Hit the roll call section and get a proper welcome.

I guess I should have posted a pic of my firebox with the door welded on the hinges before I asked the question..

pit 4 brains · Jan 25, 2016

I just got this idea to turn my FB 90 degrees so I can tend the fire on the same side as my CC door. Any problem with this? I'm thinking if I trailer mount this or have it at a comp, I may be limited on space and not want to have the FB door open in a way to make the smoker length longer...

My dampers are already welded to the door and the door is on the long end of the 18x18x20 FB so that ship has already sailed. I haven't cut the opening for the CC so I could do that on the 20" side..

weedeater · Jan 25, 2016

Pit 4 Brains said:
I just got this idea to turn my FB 90 degrees so I can tend the fire on the same side as my CC door. Any problem with this? I'm thinking if I trailer mount this or have it at a comp, I may be limited on space and not want to have the FB door open in a way to make the smoker length longer...
My dampers are already welded to the door and the door is on the long end of the 18x18x20 FB so that ship has already sailed. I haven't cut the opening for the CC so I could do that on the 20" side..

I think it would work. I am not sure that it would be ideal to have the vents at a 90 degree angle to the CC. Your top vents in particular help to move air through the smoker and this will be restricted some by not being a direct straight path. If it ends up being a problem you could in the future add a vent on the end of the firebox for this purpose. Perhaps others will have opinions and chime in. Bottom line I think it will work and if needed you could always add a vent later.

pit 4 brains · Jan 26, 2016

VDUB66 said:
I did this latch with similar equipment recently.

image.jpg

vdub66

Jan 25, 2016

Looking at this gave me an idea. I could leave my 18x18 door on the end with the dampers and open it only when cleaning out. All I would have to do is add a service door for adding wood on the side facing the CC door. This will keep my 20 " length inline with the smoker and I can have more area above my FB for preheating wood and/or a dutch oven..

j06eq · Feb 1, 2016

Nice build Pit 4 Brains. Quick question, how thick is that compressor tank?

pit 4 brains · Feb 9, 2016

J06EQ said:
Nice build Pit 4 Brains. Quick question, how thick is that compressor tank?

On a dial caliper, it reads .110"

Its a 60 gal Husky tank.

I need to get some new photos, she's coming along nicely.

boykjo · Feb 9, 2016

Looking good so far...............

pit 4 brains · Jul 15, 2016

Finally got this thing to where I can cook with it. I know I'm short on Q-view so I apologize up front!

I have plenty of improvements / modifications to make but they're going to have to wait until it cools down outside. Right now I have a respectable mesquite fire going to season it a bit and the temps look ok. I do have a 15-20 degree split between my top rack (hotter) and my lower. I'm assuming this is due to the door gap at the bottom. A little seal should do the trick.

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pit 4 brains
Jul 15, 2016

Gonna start a 60 Gal RF.

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