UDS #2 Complete - Plenty of Pics

[thunderdome]

Started my second drum awhile back while it was still cool out. I bought the Big Lots kettle for this drum

Here is the post about how I used the bottom of the kettle from big lots as the lid for the UDS, and made a handle for it, along with some of the finished, but rough pics of the UDS.

So...the past coupla weeks I've done a few things to wrap it up. Here's the pics.

Here is a close up of the 5 gallon bucket handle, i modified. The actual handle is a spacer off a cotton planter
 

http://s971.photobucket.com/albums/...DS Number 2/?action=view&current=IMG_3746.jpg​

 

Closeup

http://s971.photobucket.com/albums/...DS Number 2/?action=view&current=IMG_3747.jpg
 

I made a shelf out of a piece of pine from the scrap pile at Home Depot. Used a Harbor Freight cutout tool to make the curve.

Then sprayed with some lacquer.

http://s971.photobucket.com/albums/...DS Number 2/?action=view&current=IMG_3748.jpg
 

Used some Eye Screws and some S-Hooks to hand my grill tools. Used a shlf bracket to mount.

http://s971.photobucket.com/albums/...DS Number 2/?action=view&current=IMG_3749.jpg
 

Here's the fire basket. Just got a nice sized piece of expanded metal, and it was welded together and used the scrap to make the legs.I tried to make this one much wider in diameter than my last. I noticed that the hot spot on my

last one was always about as wide as the drum so things cooked much hotter in the center (if I was doin 3-4 racks of ribs, the ones in the center were always way ahead).

http://s971.photobucket.com/albums/...DS Number 2/?action=view&current=IMG_3753.jpg
 

Used three 3/4 inch intakes on this one. My last one I used 2 1' intakes. Also, my dad found some HD casters on craigslist for next to nothing, so he gave me 4, and they were welded to 2 pieces of strap, that were then crossed and welded as my UDS Dolls.  The lips are bent up, and it fits like a glove

http://s971.photobucket.com/albums/...DS Number 2/?action=view&current=IMG_3754.jpg
 

It originally was a closed oil drum, so when I cut out the bottom, I saved the piece I cut out, and torched some slots around the ends and bent up for my ash catcher. The fire basket stands right inside this

http://s971.photobucket.com/albums/...DS Number 2/?action=view&current=IMG_3757.jpg

Added some red, blue, and white paint, threw on a decal and Voilà!

 
http://s971.photobucket.com/albums/...DS Number 2/?action=view&current=IMG_3772.jpg

 

As far as the paint, I first covered the whole thing in the standard Rustoleum high heat bbq paint, then used cheapo spray paint for color on top of that.  I used a $5 deep fry thermo from wally  world to mount to the drum.  These things aren't as appealing to the eye as the high dollar gauges (you can see one of them in the background UDS), but they stick all the way to the center of the drum, and the reading is so much more accurate for about a 10th of the cost.

http://s971.photobucket.com/albums/...DS Number 2/?action=view&current=IMG_3783.jpg
 

The Thermo shelf is just the right size.I dont recommend this Weber thermo btw, if I go more than 6 feet from the souce, it loses it's signal.

http://s971.photobucket.com/albums/...DS Number 2/?action=view&current=IMG_3785.jpg
​

Thanks for lookin. Go Cats!

 

[chefrob]

nice lookin drum...........'cept for the colors, i'm thinkin maroon and gold!

 i've got the weber thermo and it works fine when i actually do use it.

 

[thunderdome]

Thanks Rob. I think the colors work great

I know something is up with mine, because If I hold it about 2 arms lenths away from that source signal, it comes in and out. Something isn't right on it. I think I'll go Maverick next time. I might have just got a lemon

 

[coffee_junkie]

GO DUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[sqwib]

Awesome Build. Love the s-hooks idea.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[chefrob]

have you pushed the reset button on it...........or do ya got some metal in your noggin that would affect reception?

 

[thunderdome]

have you pushed the reset button on it...........or do ya got some metal in your noggin that would affect reception?

Haha, yes, I've hit the reset.

and no comment on the metal in my noggin..

 

[chefrob]

you might want to call them............i here they are really good with people who have problems with their cookers.

 

[thunderdome]

you might want to call them............i here they are really good with people who have problems with their cookers.

I just put in a contact request

 

[mballi3011]

Now I think you did one fine job on everything but the paint job. It doesn't look anything like Orange and Blue. Go Gators but one nice smoker

 

[tom37]

 Very Very nice work Thunderdome,

I would like to say that you have come up with some very clever ideas with the basket, the wheels and also the ash pan.

 http://s971.photobucket.com/albums/...DS Number 2/?action=view&current=IMG_3753.jpg
 

http://s971.photobucket.com/albums/...DS Number 2/?action=view&current=IMG_3754.jpg

http://s971.photobucket.com/albums/...DS Number 2/?action=view&current=IMG_3757.jpg

 

[dave54]

ditto on the ash pan idea

 great idea!