First Build

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rotor head

Fire Starter
Original poster
Apr 3, 2015
55
13
Melbourne, FL
I've been viewing this site for months and just got to say you all corrupted me. Starting searching craigslist and found this 80 gallon compressor for a 100 buck they said the pump was sized no big deal just wanted the tank well I pick it up and end up selling the pump  and the motor for 200 so I'm up 100 can't beat that. So the build is on. Just one problem regular flow with tuning or reverse flow? The Feldon calculator is great. Here is the progress so far started around the end of Feb. goal is to complete by end of April. Firebox is 20x20x20 and the FB Tto CC is right around 66sqin. Plan is for a slide out ash pan and the fire grate right above the intake holes which are 2.5" total of 6. I would like to thank everyone who has posted their builds alot of great builds to get ideas from.








 
What an amazing first build! That looks great so far. I smoke on a mini WSM, so I'm not going to be much for advice, but sure do love watching smoker builds. Great job. Keep it up!
- Ryan
 
Legs and wheels mounted. Temp guages installed and started the wood rack or lower shelf and one of the intake slides on. Making forward progress. Will be cuting the holes for the other side of the intakes 3 2.5" holes in 1/4" plate with a drill and holesaw fun fun fun. 

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Thank you very much it feels good to fabricate again. Made a little more progress today after work got the lower shelf framed out and worked on the exhaust decided to go with a 5" square tube for the exhaust its 4 3/4"ID a square hole is eaiser to cut with a cutoff wheel. What is the recommended distance from the bottom cooking surface for the tube is 3" to 4" good.   
 
Lookin good Rotorhead, I envy anyone who has the skills and stamina to do their own build. It's nice to buy one from a fabricator, but there is a huge amount of pride in making your own. Good smoking, Joe
 
Thank you.

Its really fun doing your own build I bet I made 10 trips to Bass Pro looking at the Horizons they sell and I just could not see spending a grand on one that wasn'r the size I wanted to have. So I found this fourm then spent months viewing past builds and that was i said i can do this so here we are. Spent some time today wire wheeling and sanding disc to the inside of the CC set the 5" exhaust back in and laid the angle for the cooking rack in. right now ita sitting 3 inches from the top of the cooking rack. I'm also thinking I may need to cut the door opening another 2" lower. I want to put a top rack in 12" to 14" wide. Need to know if 3" is good distance from the lower rack and how much space you need between the top and lower track. right now if I leave as is I'll have about 6 1/2" betwwen racks.




 
That's coming out great. In my UDS I have 7 inches between racks. Not sure on a reverse flow setup though. I Agree building is half the fun. Just about done with my latest build and starting to decide on my next project. Might be a different hobby though. Maybe a new remote control plane.
 
Thank you sir.

I got a little more done today firebox grate made used 1/2" solid square bar. I think it will hold up to the heat. Got the firebox plate for the door and ash pan all cut out just got to frame out the the door weld the hinges on weld up the ash pan then I can weld the frame to the box. I'm still thinking of andding two inches to the CC door and cut two inches out of the CC. that will give me 4 1/2" from the reverse flow plate and the exhaust will be 5" from the bottom cooking surface.  


 
Thanks,gunkle,RMMurray and inkjunkie. Ash pan all the handles and the cooking racks,weld in the reverse flow plate and the smoke stack and it will be time for a test fire.

I still need advise on if I should lower my CC door opening 2"
That will give me 4 1/2" to the RF plate I have a 5" x36" square stack 4 3/4" ID. I was going to leave 29" sticking out and 7" inside do I need to do an angle cut on the tube inside?
 
Ok you want a good laugh. So I just finish up the ash pan go to roll the smoker and it starts to tip over. It was really funny I just looked at it and then started to kick myself in the ass. I never calculated the weight of the firebox and my wheel location so as you know the firebox is real heavy 3/8" plate. So option 1. move wheels farther out on the firebox or option 2. fill the farther out wheel legs with lead. I'm leaning to option #2.  
 
I think that I have heard that sometimes on shorter units, Shirley uses some sort of counterweight. I have also read that Paul Shirley will answer questions and give suggestions to folks that are building their own smokers. Might be worth a phone call.
 
Ok you want a good laugh. So I just finish up the ash pan go to roll the smoker and it starts to tip over. It was really funny I just looked at it and then started to kick myself in the ass. I never calculated the weight of the firebox and my wheel location so as you know the firebox is real heavy 3/8" plate. So option 1. move wheels farther out on the firebox or option 2. fill the farther out wheel legs with lead. I'm leaning to option #2.  
I tipped my log splitter over today. It has platforms on both sides to put logs on. Some chowder head only loaded one side....and thanks to it being on jack stands to get it at a more comfortable level over it went...
 
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