$95, and already assembled, not a bad deal on the CGSP!
I bought mine earlier this week. $129 for the grill and $60 for the side box - from Lowe's. I think it took about 3 (maybe 4) hours for the assembly.
Last night I picked up some items for the mods. I found that 3.5" HVAC duct works nicely for the baffle. It was pre-bent in a 90*, so I figured it would make it easier to screw it the grill. Turns out if you cut it to 18", it sits perfectly over the opening to side box. Lengthwise, it covers half of the grill.
Expanded metal works nicely in the firebox. I had a hard time finding anybody that knew what it was, or where to find it! First store didn't have any, so I bought some metal gutter covers. Cut them to fit and crimped them together, and they work nicely.....IF you have a grate underneath them. I was lucky enough to have a small grate left over from an older grill that fit perfectly over the ash box. That worked fine today, until I have some time to work with the heavier expanded metal.
I left off the dryer vent this time - couldn't fit all the meat in there with it on.
Couldn't find any thermometers - spent the last 3 weeks looking at them everytime I went to the store, and now that I need them, they are sold out!
I don't know if I would sand the grates. The instructions say to season:
Coat all surfaces with vegetable oil and place in grill at 300 for 2 hours. Recoat and return to grill at 200 for 1 hour.
Due to improper care, grids may lose their SEASONING and rust. If so, brush and RE-SEASON as above. (CAPS is theirs, not mine!)
Anyways, congrats on the new smoker. Hope it serves you well!