The Big Build

[tom37]

Looking good......its crazy how the trailers loose space when ya start adding stuff.

 

[smokey mo]

This project may have just become much easier. A friend just loaned me his old millermatic 35 mig welder. Needed some TLC, so I gave it some.  Cleaned the feed dogs and re-terminated all the cables so they are all new and clean.

I hope things start to pick up now.  I have much more confidence with a wire welder than with a stick welder. Woo Hoo!

 

[smokingohiobutcher]

You Go MO!!! Looking good...that thing is a Beast!!

SOB

 

[smokey mo]

First vent is done.  Simple vent design.  Large hole with sliding cover.

The tank is in the garage and I am going to start welding the trim and the hinges on tomorrow so I can take the doors off and lighten the load.

Then start looking at attaching the firebox this weekend.

 

[smokey mo]

First door straped hinged and off.  Next door, then line up for the firebox.

 

[smokey mo]

Both doors off and time to start marking for the fire box.

 

[smokey mo]

doors done, tank lifted and firebox in place, next step weld it on the tank.

 I may take Fathers day off to rest from today. been busy.

 

[smokey mo]

And this is what happens when your nephew gets ahold of a piece of chalk...

 

[alelover]

That thing is going to be a beast.

 

[smokey mo]

So after some grinding and scratching my head about legs and wheels to move it out of the garage.  I just decided to build the firebox tray glides. 

Nothing fancy heavy channel front to back.

And the fasteners to pull the doors in tight...

 

[tom37]

Looking good man!!!! 

Looking heavy too. 

Two skate boards and a good floor jack would do wonders for moving that sucker around. On smooth ground anyways.

 

[scarbelly]

WOW what a great looking build.

 

[smokey mo]

Looking good man!!!! 

Looking heavy too. 

Two skate boards and a good floor jack would do wonders for moving that sucker around. On smooth ground anyways.

I used to move furniture and still have the four wheel dollies that make this a lot easier.  The tank is on casters so I can turn it to cut or weld  when it is flat.  Makes a bad welder better....

Thanks for the kudos...

I am still trying to get done before the 4th but I have to work Saturday so that may push me back a bit.

 

[smokey mo]

WOW what a great looking build.

Thanks Gary.

 

[dv8uagain]

Holy hell Smokey I'm thinking forum party when this thing is finished!!!! I think this thing could feed us all in one shot! Great build and good luck with it....

 

[smokey mo]

So I am getting close to building shelves and I am wondering how much room should be between them.  Height wise I mean.

I am thinking first one at the bottom of the door entrance then 8" then 5" above that. Three shelves on each side, maybe the top one just for ABT;s and the like.

when I figured the areas of each shelf based on those distance I came up with 

36" X 30.5" = 1098     sq in. Bottom shelf

33" X 30.5" = 1006.5  sq in. Middle shelf

27" X 30.5" =   823.5  sq in. Top Shelf

                     2928    sq in. cooking area each side

Grand Total    5856    sq in. total cooking space.

I hope someone with a larger lang might help me out with some ideas on the distances between grates.

 

[smokey mo]

Well, I think something has gone very right...I worked on a guys house today that is the chairman of the local rod run group. blah blah blah talk talk talk...and I quote 'you make sure when you get that thing done you come see me...I will guarantee that you have a spot to sell you stuff.'  

This little rod run has about 15,000 people over three days.  There are 75 vendors but only about 6 that do food.  Most of that is carmel corn and hamburgers.  I may need help selling ribs and  pp sammies.   I may need a lot of peppers for ABT's

Things are looking up.  I am very excited.  I am also waiting on some more shielding gas for the welder...arrrg!

 

[alelover]

Sweet deal on the Hot Rod run. A couple gigs like that should pay for that thing.

 

[smokey mo]

Sweet deal on the Hot Rod run. A couple gigs like that should pay for that thing.

Thanks Scott.  

Yup after using the spreadsheet on catering from this site,one of them would pay for it. I am not sure this year I will be ready for it.  I still have a lot of government garbage to pay for and get through.  Don't think I can afford to do that before the deadline.  I have to have a legal requirements and insurance completed 2 weeks before the start of the show.  I still haven't finished the machine and would like to get a cook or two done before hand.  More work tonight. 

I started to cut legs out last night but the rain kicked in.  I don't have enough room to weld and grind inside the shop, unless i want to remodel by fire.

I will just keep plugging away and it will all come together over time.

Thanks for the support.

 

[tom37]

I can measure the racks in my R Flow tomorrow night if you like. 

If I was to tell ya a number tonight I would be just guessing. But I can tell ya that I put in plenty of shelf supports, right now I run a total of 4 shelves, 2 on each side. Perfect for brisket and butts. 

I could add 2 more shelves to each side if I wanted to do ribs only. With a total of 8 racks I can cook 24 slabs of giant untrimed spares. Or 32 slabs of st louis style(trimmed).

I bet the hot rod deal is making you want to hurry but remember good things come to those who wait, sometimes.

Give it time man, get the rig just right. , get happy with it, have all the ins in place and......let the good times roll. That way its not a rush, and you will enjoy it alot more.