i built mine out of a 55-gallon drum. that is the food chamber. i bought a side firebox from lowe's (the one for the char-griller), and made a cover for the hole that is in it to connect to the char-griller grill it was made for. i welded (2) 3" diameter x 4" long pipes to it, and cut out inside them. then they were welded to the end of the drum, and cut out inside them again. then the firebox was welded to the bracing for it coming off the legs of the smoker. the legs are bolted to the drum. i used 4" diameter vent ducting for my smokestack. i used a 90° elbow coming out of the smoker, then a 24" piece of duct, topped with a rain shanty. when the wind id acting right (eg. not changing direction every 5 seconds) i pull off the shanty and put on another 90° elbow, turning it away from the wind, so it has a vacuum effect on it. i have added insulation to the drum, on the side opposite the door, and both ends. that helped alot in temp control, and charcoal & wood useage.