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.
I'm all for overkill when making things, but you're going to need the means to cut, bend, and weld that thick of steel. Also, that's going to be one HEAVY smoker. I'd have to agree with kruizer.
If you're gonna be a bear, be a Grizzly...
Build the damned thing and let the rest of us shower you with accolades.
As long as you have the wherewithal to cut the plate (you're not going to bend it) and a welder with enough stones to fill the gaps, I think you're golden.
It might be a smoker we would reference as the sine qua non...