Greetings / Compressor Tank Build

[daveomak]

Usually, posts from other forums are not allowed...   You should ask someone from management...

 

[kam59]

I will do that thank you Dave.

 

[brnhornt]

Finished cutting off the door last night.  Forgot to snap a picture...but two of the corners moved almost 3/16" so it looks like I'll be trying the chain and bottle jack method of trying to pull it back in.

Am I right in my thought about fitting the door back into place?  Not only to permanently weld in the hinges, but even to test the progress/fit of the bending.  I'm thinking of spot welding little tabs on the inside of the CC that extend into the door's opening.  Then with the smoker positioned so the middle of the opening is pointing straight up, I would be able to set and rest the door on those tabs.

Is there an easier/more preferred method for accomplishing what I'm proposing?

Thanks gents!

Kevin

 

[kam59]

Tack two tabs on the top and bottom then set the door on the chamber to see what your up against.
Then measure the arc distance and write it down once this is done draw the door in and measure your progress trying to go slightly more than needed. While still under pressure stitch weld the side door straps on starting at the top and bottom moving inward to the center. Starting out and working in will help from the heat trying to draw the door out more.
I hope this helps. :)

 

[brnhornt]

Makes complete sense, thanks!  Just found out I won't have access to a welder for a little over a week...so I guess this will have to paused for a bit...

 

[brnhornt]

Was able to get my hands on a welder and made some progress this weekend.  Using the bottle jack and chains I was able to get the door good on the left side, and only >1/16" on the right before my jack surrendered it's life. :)  Got the left and right door seals in place.  Sure do have a whole lot to learn about welding (this being my first time) and glad this is just a smoker and nothing structural ;)

20170708_154831_resized.jpg

• brnhornt
• Jul 10, 2017

20170708_154911_resized.jpg

• brnhornt
• Jul 10, 2017

Next up is the top and bottom seals along with the hinges.

Question about hinges...since I have the 1/8" thickness of the seals to contend with and will need to add that under the areas of the hinge that are not directly ON the seals...please check my thought.  I'll weld some 1/8" material where it is needed, maybe slightly oversized.  Then grind the areas flat (mainly just the welds themselves where I didn't control the puddle well enough)...then weld the hinge to the filler material.

Thanks again!

 

[kam59]

Nice work on your straps. :)

What type hinges are you using?

 

[brnhornt]

Thank you sir....

Nothing fancy, just a pair of 4" butt hinges

 

[brnhornt]

General question...anyone have a preferred method for marking where the back of the cooking grate supports should be?  I was thinking I would try and level the tank as best as I can and then simply use a straight-edge with a level on it to to extend to the rear-wall of the tank and mark/mount there....

 

[kam59]

I reference mark my cookers with center punch marks on each end 12,3,6 and 9. These are very handy throughout the build. Making sure the chamber is level on 3 and 9 to set the bottom rails I then take a piece of angle iron with the vertical cut back about a 1/2" so it does not touch the chamber and lay it on my bottom door cut going to the back of the cooker lay a torpedo level on the angle iron and once I find level make a mark on the back of the chamber. I do this on both sides then fit my bottom rails tacking them in place. If you are doing an upper grate say 6" higher get a piece of 2" x 6" and add a piece of plywood to it and set it on your bottom rail so the top rail rests on it for welding.

I hope this helps.

Note: You can use a water level to reference the back mark as well. All you need is some clear tubing and some corks to fit it.

 

[brnhornt]

Makes sense and right along what I was thinking.  Good idea with the 2x6 spacer...that'll save a lot of measurement marking/time :)

 

[brnhornt]

Happy to say I made some good progress today.  Man my back hurts.  After this project..immediately following is going to need to be a welding table ;)

Got the two sets of cooking grates with anti-tippers fabricated and then mounted:

20170715_183718_resized.jpg

• brnhornt
• Jul 15, 2017

Close up of the bottom left weld: (liking this stick welder much more than the flux wire.  Nowhere near professional...but for this application it'll be fine)

20170715_183729_HDR_resized.jpg

• brnhornt
• Jul 15, 2017

Also got the top and bottom door straps mounted:

20170715_184048_resized.jpg

• brnhornt
• Jul 15, 2017

Next up...cooking grate assembly and then door hinges...

Thanks all!

 

[kam59]

Very nice work brnhornt. :) Looks like you are becoming one with the stick. :)

 

[brnhornt]

Thanks!  but you might not say that if you saw some of the welds I'm NOT showing pictures of ;)

 

[kam59]

LOL your'e doing fine it takes time and patience. :)

 

[brnhornt]

More progress...got the base/cart fabricated:

20170718_165514_resized.jpg

• brnhornt
• Jul 19, 2017

Getting the cook chamber set:

20170718_185756_resized.jpg

• brnhornt
• Jul 19, 2017

All done:

20170718_194149_resized.jpg

• brnhornt
• Jul 19, 2017

Pretty heavy to lift the front end and move.  Hoping that the massive weight of the firebox hanging off her butt will prove my thoughts/location of the wheels to be correct.

Made one glaring mistake...I was in a bit of a rush to get done for the day (which is always a recipe for disaster) but didn't consider how difficult it will be to attach the front legs with the CC attached.  I simply got tunnel vision and painted myself into a corner....it happens...but it's annoying :)

Thanks for following along!

 

[kam59]

Looks like you are doing a fine job. :) 

 

[brnhornt]

Thanks Kam...one thing I didn't consider is the weight of the stack and plenum...it won't weigh as much as the firebox, but it's weight I didn't consider.

 

[kam59]

It would not be too difficult to move your wheels forward a bit after the exhaust and firebox are on.  If you do choose this route be careful not to go too far or when you lift the exhaust side she will want to flip up on you.

 

[brnhornt]

Ehhhhh....I dunno....cutting the welds...sure...but trying to weld them back on?