Door won’t close

[thirdeye]

Any updates on the door issue?

 

[TheBeardedPig]

Any updates on the door issue?

I’ll have to take it to the fabricator in town. The manufacturer said they have no control of how the door warps after plasma cutting it. I find that to be bullsh** but what can I do. I’m the type that puts a lot of pride into my work so it kind of hurts my heart that the guy who did this let it go out. I could try the clamps I guess but I want it to be perfect.

 

[TheBeardedPig]

The purpose of the flat stock is to improve the seal of the door. But I doubt the fabricator let it get out of the shop with that much gap. Is there anything going on around the hinges? Could you have sprung the door? How about a photo showing the door and hinges.

 

[thirdeye]

I’ll have to take it to the fabricator in town. The manufacturer said they have no control of how the door warps after plasma cutting it. I find that to be bullsh** but what can I do. I’m the type that puts a lot of pride into my work so it kind of hurts my heart that the guy who did this let it go out. I could try the clamps I guess but I want it to be perfect.

Stresses in the pipe can cause distortion on something like these doors, but generally the fabricator has enough experience when cutting, or when fitting up the strap to minimize distortion. Hopefully the local fabricator can solve this.

 

[TheBeardedPig]

Stresses in the pipe can cause distortion on something like these doors, but generally the fabricator has enough experience when cutting, or when fitting up the strap to minimize distortion. Hopefully the local fabricator can solve this.

I added pictures to one of the other threads. Of the door, the hinges and also the inside of door when closed.

 

[boykjo]

I’ll have to take it to the fabricator in town. The manufacturer said they have no control of how the door warps after plasma cutting it. I find that to be bullsh** but what can I do. I’m the type that puts a lot of pride into my work so it kind of hurts my heart that the guy who did this let it go out. I could try the clamps I guess but I want it to be perfect.

That's a crock...... The manufacturure should have control of how the smoker is built like "quality control". If that's what customers are getting then there probably arent any QC. Who built it?

 

[Newglide]

I agree that is bulls***. That last picture really shows how bad it is.

 

[Smokin Okie]

What @crazymoon said.
Also are you sure it's catching on something and not just the door springing out during the manufacturing process?
A lot of times when you cut a steel cylinder it will spring out. If that's the case you may be out of luck for an easy fix other than the clamps

That was the case on my 1/4" Old Country Brazos. The door had sprung. I used clamps on the lower corner along with RTV sealant.

The sealant helped most of the lid except the bottom edge, but the gap was too large. That's where the clamps helped.

And I hear its possible that over time and high heat, the clamps could partially cure the problem

 

[Smokin Okie]

Sonny Moberg explains how a door is " sprung " in this vid, that I have set to start with him talking about it

 

[TheBeardedPig]

Sonny Moberg explains how a door is " sprung " in this vid, that I have set to start with him talking about it

That was the case on my 1/4" Old Country Brazos. The door had sprung. I used clamps on the lower corner along with RTV sealant.

The sealant helped most of the lid except the bottom edge, but the gap was too large. That's where the clamps helped.

And I hear its possible that over time and high heat, the clamps could partially cure the problem

Sonny Moberg explains how a door is " sprung " in this vid, that I have set to start with him talking about it

Update: took it to the local fabricator and he was able to fix it!!!! I can’t wait to season this beauty and get some meat smokin.

 

[TheBeardedPig]

Any updates on the door issue?

Update: local fabricator was able to fix the problem. Now I’m itching to get a good season on this beauty and get some smoke rolling through on some meat!!!

 

[Smokin Okie]

Update: took it to the local fabricator and he was able to fix it!!!! I can’t wait to season this beauty and get some meat smokin.

I'm really curious how ?

 

[TheBeardedPig]

I'm really curious how

I'm really curious how ?

The door was getting hung up from the grate slot(where the grate slides in and out) and also somewhat on the door and chamber itself. It looks like a simple grinding job.

 

[gmc2003]

Glad it was an easy fix. Now get that baby fired up

 

[TheBeardedPig]

Glad it was an easy fix. Now get that baby fired up

Me too!!! I’m itching to get her fired up and smokin!!!

 

[seattlepitboss]

One way to put a bit more bend into one end of a door that doesn't close fully (i.e. isn't bent enough or sprung out when cut) is to tack a turnbuckle to the top and bottom edges, and then tighten it up to bend more. It will spring back some so overdo it just a bit. You can also loosen the turnbuckle to "unbend" the door a little if you go too far.

Another way to make the bend is a lot easier if the door is off. Get a short chain with hooks on both ends. Hook them over the top and bottom edges of the door. Put a small hydraulic bottle jack between the center of the door and the center of the door, and jack to increase the bend.

I described my battle with sprung doors on a 3/16" wall tank in this build log:
http://nwnative.us/Grant/shop articles/24x70

 

[fxsales1959]

So I have a problem. My door for my chamber won’t close all the way. I know I’ll get a little smoke leak but I think this isn’t right. Wondering how to fix it.View attachment 658539View attachment 658540

not sure of what u got, but I bought doorlatches for my Chinese OK Joe. Can get economyones at harbor fight. i also have lava lock gaskets

 

[bill1]

...turnbuckle...chain...bottle jack...

I like the way you think. Amazing how strong we can be when we use our brain.
Scissor jacks are another great way to outpower youth. You can sometimes get them for a song at a junk yard...that's the standard tire-changing jack now for both imports and Motown.