Door positioning???

[svaillan]

Hello everyone. I am starting my first build with an 125gal horizontal tank. Actually the tank tag says 124gal.

Anyways I did some searching and I cant find any information on door cutting position. Should the top of the door cut be cut at center or below center of the tank? And if the top of the door cut should be below center, then how far below? Inches?

Also should the bottom of the door cut be lined up with the tank center or below it? And again if below, how far?

Please any advice would be appreciated. The valves have been removed and the tank is now going through its first inner soak.

 

[ribwizzard]

Don't get in a hurry to cut the door opening! I recommend getting your firebox welded in first for two reasons;

Less distortion on the tank.

With the firebox welded on , now you can position the tank at the final height that the cooker will sit at and can determine exactly how big ( actually how small) you can make the door and still have good visual of the cooking surface. The smaller you can make the door and still be able to see the rack surfaces, the better off you will be.

 

[ribwizzard]

 

[svaillan]

Thanks for all the info. The problem is I do need to cut the door first. I am just a hobby welder and will be having a local shop do the work off of my supplied design. But they won't take it without the door cut. They're scared :)

If I do go ahead and cut the firebox notch. How do I determine where across the end cap to cut? I was going to make the other cut just inside the end cap weld. But I want to make the most of my cooking area so how do I determine how deep to go for my end cap cross cut? I guess if I could go to shallow as I can always take more off uh!

Something I noticed is some guys on here are rolling the tank and placing the valve holes on the underside. Is that really much of an advantage other then filling some holes? I'm kinda OCD so they would be filled regardless.

Agian guys thank you for the help. I'm debating now on just borrowing my friends welder and saying screw it. I'll try it myself.

 

[ribwizzard]

Thanks for all the info. The problem is I do need to cut the door first. I am just a hobby welder and will be having a local shop do the work off of my supplied design. But they won't take it without the door cut. They're scared :)===having the firebox notch cut out should end their worries

If I do go ahead and cut the firebox notch. How do I determine where across the end cap to cut? I was going to make the other cut just inside the end cap weld. But I want to make the most of my cooking area so how do I determine how deep to go for my end cap cross cut? I guess if I could go to shallow as I can always take more off uh! ==put your measurements into the pit calculator and it will tell you how many sq. inches of opening you need, then you will know how high to go.

Something I noticed is some guys on here are rolling the tank and placing the valve holes on the underside. Is that really much of an advantage other then filling some holes? I'm kinda OCD so they would be filled regardless. you dont want any seams or patches in the middle of your doors, so putting the holes down keeps that from happening, also, many times at least one hole can be used for your grease drain. putting plugs in the rest instead of welding over them keeps options open for future additions and cleaning out the tank,

Agian guys thank you for the help. I'm debating now on just borrowing my friends welder and saying screw it. I'll try it myself.go for it!

 

[weedeater]

Good advice from Ribwizzard as usual.  Valve holes on the underside worked real well for me on my build.  I would encourage you to also go for it in terms of doing the welding and cutting yourself.  It will truly be your build if you do!  A good grinder can make some really ugly welds look OK. Put all your numbers in Feldon's calculator and post them  for some of the experts on the site to take a look at.   Dave Omak is one of the best at looking at your design and numbers to keep you on track.  Post your numbers and some of the resident experts will provide some good sound advice.  Have fun and enjoy the build.  Take your time and plan it all out first. 

 

[lendecatural]

You may be a hobby welder now, but by the time you finish the pit, you will be able to add a new skill to the arsenal. Like Rib said, go for it!

 

[smokejumper]

A smoker build is a great way to learn to weld.

If it ends up ugly, or with iffy penetration, not a big deal. No one's life is depending on your welds. They will still be plenty strong enough to hold things together.

As you get more practice, your welds will get much better.

Just remember to take it slower than feels natural at first; let the weld puddle develop and coax it along.

Relax, be safe and have fun!

 

[svaillan]

Thanks guys!!! I really appreciate all the help and advice. I'll work up numbers and share them on a new post asking for a "second set of eyes" :)

I think I'll get the numbers figured out, build the firebox and then cut the firebox notch first. Thx all

 

[weedeater]

Thanks guys!!! I really appreciate all the help and advice. I'll work up numbers and share them on a new post asking for a "second set of eyes" :)

I think I'll get the numbers figured out, build the firebox and then cut the firebox notch first. Thx all

Svaillan, 

Takes some pics of your tank and other items and post them on a thread that will be your build thread.  Don't start a new thread with each question just keep a running thread that will show your entire build from start to finish under that thread.  This will help the folks answer questions much easier if all the past info is in one place. As you have questions take pics if possible that show the problem you are facing.  Lot of good knowledgeable folks here who are willing to advise.