Metal Price Quotes. 11 Gauge rolled or Sch 10 Pipe - Big Price difference. Advice Please??

[meatsweats86]

Hi All,

I am interested in building an Offset Horizontal from scratch. I live in the Twin Cities, MN and other than searching craigslist for tanks, I have only found two places that offer 20" diameter pipe. Please see the quotes below. Is the 1/4" steel pipe worth the extra money which is double the weight and cost or is 11 Gauge decent enough. Is 11 gauge more heavy duty than the material used on the new Okalahoma Joe or am I going to regret not going with 1/4 or should I keep looking?

I also found a place that sells 20" Standard diameter pipe for $60 a foot, but they only sell it in 21' sections which obviously wont work for me.

1st quote was 11 Gauge metal that will be rolled and welded. He did mention there will be a flat spot where it's welded.

Rolled Metal Price.JPG

• meatsweats86
• Apr 4, 2017

2nd Quote is for 1/4" thick Steel Pipe

Steel Pipe Quote.JPG

• meatsweats86
• Apr 4, 2017

 

[daveomak]

Roll 1/4" sheet steel....

 

[meatsweats86]

 
Roll 1/4" sheet steel....

I'm having a hard time finding anybody in the Twin Cities who can do that. Called multiple steel companies and 1/8" is the thickest they can roll. I would think someone in a city this big can roll 1/4"? Maybe I'm not calling the right people??

 

[daveomak]

You can get a new propane tank...   This tank will make a CC about 30" long and 24" diameter...  it's about $500 delivered to my place..   don't know what delivery would be to your place...      You will have to check with Worthington to see what thickness of steel is in the tank...  3/16" wall would be the very minimum I would go or a smoker...     UNLESS you insulate it...   ROXUL and sheet metal cover...

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200432517_200432517

 

[meatsweats86]

Found a 60 Gallon Husky Air Compressor tank for $100.  Any idea what gauge/thickness that tank would be?

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-60-Gal-Stationary-Electric-Air-Compressor-C602H/205389936

 

[daveomak]

It's a guess but somewhere around 14 gauge...   pretty thin....   It could be insulated as well...   Insulate everything except the door...  leave a gap of a couple inches around the door...    It's a PITA to insulate those things... but if you have time...  try it... 

 

[bruster]

Is there not a propane place within driving distance to get a tank? What about cement companies where you could snag one of the water tanks off a truck?

 

[imafishingfred]

Might be worth checking with a local trucking company and finding out if and how much they would charge to pickup and deliver one.

https://macon.craigslist.org/for/6074290222.html

Could be worth it if the price is right.

 

[meatsweats86]

I got one more quote for $400 for 1/4" thick rolled to 20" diameter and cut to 42" and 14" length. This would also include end plates cut to size. I'm thinking this is probably the best deal I am going to find.

Someone posted an original Oklahoma Joe Ranger on craigslist near me 2 days ago for $225 in great shape. This was when they were made from 1/4" steel and not the cheap stuff.  Before I was able to ask my wife permission it was gone. I told her that was the last time I ask permission on anything smoker related. It was like seeing a unicorn and gone before my eyes.

 

[daveomak]

Click on the tutorial below for a "how to build" description...  Check through the smoker builds to learn the ins and outs and problems and how to solve them... 

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/a/reverse-flow-smoker-how-to-calculate-build-tutorial

 

[flippers]

Roll 1/4" sheet steel....

Roll it!
I've built 4-36"x24" RF smokers. Plus a few others, thanks to the help of Dave and this forum.
Pipe is to expensive!

 

[meatsweats86]

Roll it!
I've built 4-36"x24" RF smokers. Plus a few others, thanks to the help of Dave and this forum.
Pipe is to expensive!

Roll it!
I've built 4-36"x24" RF smokers. Plus a few others, thanks to the help of Dave and this forum.
Pipe is to expensive!

I was quoted $475 to have 2 pieces of 1/4" pipe rolled and welded 42" and 14" long and that was the cheapest I have found. I live in the Twin Cities and literally called/emailed 20+ companies and only a handful have equipment to handle 1/4" thick and only 2 of them offered me quotes.

What's the key to cutting doors on a tank or pipe without having them spring?

 

[flippers]

My guy usually over rolls the cylinder. So for example: If I want a 30' diameter cylinder he will roll it to roughly 28" diameter. $475 seems reasonable. A 6'x10'x1/4" sheet of steel will cost me about $150 or so. Then another $200 to roll and tack.

 

[meatsweats86]

I found this old add on air tank for a compressor made by Henderson Eng Co. Plate says built in 1981, MWP 150 PSI at 350 F. Model HL1120  Serial 245. Measure 5 1/2' tall and roughly 20-22"

diameter. Emailed the company and owner to find out the thickness.

I'm not really wanting something this long as it will be used as backyard smoker. Will I be able to cut this in half and use one piece at the CC and one as the FB?

Looks like one side has multiple ports and caps and side with the welded seam doesn't. If this was thick enough, will this be more work than what it's worth and would I have to cut out and weld the ports/plugs?

IMAG0908.jpg

• meatsweats86
• Apr 7, 2017

IMAG0906.jpg

• meatsweats86
• Apr 7, 2017

 

[meatsweats86]

The owner said he was told it's 1/4" thick and weighs roughly 300lbs. I've got a stick welder capable of welding 1/4" and angle grinder with a lot of cut off wheels or circular saw to cut this. Am I going over my head trying to turn this into a horizontal smoker????

 

[crankybuzzard]

I think that would make a great smoker.

Yes, you can cut it down to size and use a portion of the tank as the FB without any issues.

The MAIN thing I see is this, handling the tank itself, and then the pieces you cut off.  Making a smoker isn't worth hurting yourself.  If you're confident that you can work with it safely, jump on it.