120 gallon RF build....UPDATE patio to the trailer

throttlejunkie1 · Feb 11, 2013

So after thinking about what I should do with my 125 gal tank I have purging in the back yard for the past 2 months, I decided that I am having a local professional build it for me. Yes, I am paying $$$ to get this thing done....but I'm getting what I pay for! This guy is worth bragging about. I should have it by the end of next weekend and I'm going with a patio style RF smoker with all the bells and whistles....

Here is the tank I got on the cheap:

one.jpg

throttlejunkie1
Feb 11, 2013

two.jpg

throttlejunkie1
Feb 11, 2013

Here is a sample of his work:

3E83Gf3F75N25Kc5J9d2a085c0c634a7a113a.jpg

throttlejunkie1
Feb 11, 2013

Dutch · Feb 11, 2013

Well tj, as much as we love watching a build come together, we understand about not having a lot of free time on hand to do what we want or love~shoot, I haven't been fly fishing in five years because of my work schedules. So if you gotta pay to get what you want, I hope the builder will let you take pictures of the build as it progresses.

Enjoy~

throttlejunkie1 · Feb 11, 2013

Dutch, Thanks for the response. I've been active duty Navy for 12 years so my free time is very valuable to my family and I. To be able to enjoy it with a smoker of my liking from time to time will definatley be worth while! The builder is very open minded and actually told me to stop by through out the week to snap a few pics. I just can't believe it is projected to be complete in 7 days! Thats just amazing! He is a local that has been doing this for years and sells quality over quanity. I can't wait!

gent · Feb 12, 2013

The way I see it. As long as YOU are happy with it in the end. That's what it's all about. After all It's your smoker and your the one that has to cook on the thing. So while I built my own myself. It did take me 3 months to do so. In all honesty I just wanted a Reverse flow smoker to cook on. However I came to that final conclusion would have fit the bill for me. And if I had a professional build it for me I'm pretty positive that certain facets would have turned out better. I do get a little extra pride out of building it myself, but the end result in either situation is you have a good well built smoker. And that my friends is what it's all about!

jarjarchef · Feb 12, 2013

Thank you for your service!

Looks like he does great work.

For every project I do I will factor my time against how much will be saved. My family time is a very big factor as well....

Enjoy your time with your new smoker and family.....

05sprcrw · Feb 13, 2013

Sounds like you have a very good fabricator doing the work so it should turn out great, can't wait to see what he kicks out for you.

jabbo · Feb 13, 2013

If you have the means to have something done legally and morally, then it is not cheating. We all have different abilities, finances, and schedules. I hired a laser cutter to cut my steel for me and am paying Lex to weld it up for me. Sure I help where I can, but don't have the skills needed to do what I wanted. Some may see it as unfair (and I suppose it may be), but according to my dictionary, there are a lot of pages between unfair and cheating! Enjoy it with a clear conscience. I can't wait to see it!

coronaca92879 · Feb 13, 2013

Can't wait to see finished product.

throttlejunkie1 · Feb 13, 2013

gent said:
The way I see it. As long as YOU are happy with it in the end. That's what it's all about. After all It's your smoker and your the one that has to cook on the thing. So while I built my own myself. It did take me 3 months to do so. In all honesty I just wanted a Reverse flow smoker to cook on. However I came to that final conclusion would have fit the bill for me. And if I had a professional build it for me I'm pretty positive that certain facets would have turned out better. I do get a little extra pride out of building it myself, but the end result in either situation is you have a good well built smoker. And that my friends is what it's all about!

Got it...I 100% agree. A sense of satisfaction goes a long way. I enjoy turning wrenches on Naval aircraft, cars, trucks (anything auto) and even my own damn lawn mower lol! But the timing and the funds to get it done by someone I trust just happen to be the better option at this point. I will definatly tackle this similar project again in the future all on my own until I end up with a end result...wether it be good, awesome, average bla bla bla. But the experience of using it vs. building it is the decision I have to make at this time. I can't wait to use it and brag about it to my friends/co-workers on a well made piece of craftsmanship!

I hope to post some progress pics tomorrow!!!

jarjarchef said:
Thank you for your service!

Looks like he does great work.

For every project I do I will factor my time against how much will be saved. My family time is a very big factor as well....

Enjoy your time with your new smoker and family.....

I'm a realist and not too proud to say You're Welcome and Thank You for the recognition! My family time is valuable as mentioned earlier I know that we are all looking foward to great get togethers/memories that include this soon-to-be well built piece of art!

05sprcrw said:
Sounds like you have a very good fabricator doing the work so it should turn out great, can't wait to see what he kicks out for you.

I'm working 14-16 hour days and still losing sleep over the thought of what this bad boy is going to end up like lol!

Jabbo said:
If you have the means to have something done legally and morally, then it is not cheating. We all have different abilities, finances, and schedules. I hired a laser cutter to cut my steel for me and am paying Lex to weld it up for me. Sure I help where I can, but don't have the skills needed to do what I wanted. Some may see it as unfair (and I suppose it may be), but according to my dictionary, there are a lot of pages between unfair and cheating! Enjoy it with a clear conscience. I can't wait to see it!

Conscience is definately cleared! Have not problems telling it how it is...part of my success because I promote honesty. I just thru the "cheating" in there to intice the feedback of my situation. I have no problem admitting I lack this...that.....the other... But my specific situation requires lots of time like I'm sure many of you can atest to that. My agenda is pre planned months ahead with little room for adjustments but have to willingly accept changes at any moment (I love military)!!! My family is the most valuable thing in my life and I will sacrifice ANYTHING to ensure that our relationship maintains a consistant growth positively.

coronaca92879 said:
Can't wait to see finished product.

Me too!!!

throttlejunkie1 · Feb 14, 2013

Stopped by the shop to see the progress today after work. The guys lost production yesterday because of the heavy rains and local thunderstorms, but was predicted to still be on track and completed by Sunday morning. Here it is with the door cut and tank burned out:

tank.jpg

throttlejunkie1
Feb 14, 2013

jwsimpleville · Feb 14, 2013

In my opinion there's a HUGE difference between cheating and using your resources.
Also a fine line but a difference non the less.
Keep those pics coming :biggrin:

throttlejunkie1 · Feb 22, 2013

Picked it up today!!!!!!!!!!!

throttlejunkie1 · Feb 22, 2013

Just gotta get a free weekend to oil it up and dry smoke it for a few hours!

I do have a few things that I still one to do to it. I want to add a bottom "rack/tray" to store my fire wood and I want to weld up a big handle so I can have something solid to grab onto to move it to and from the garage....and where ever I need to put it. Steers and rolls great. Lid is heavy as sh!t but the way he mounted it....it stays open if I lift it high enough. I'm super excited about it! The only thing I am disappointed in is the finish. It's not the several coats of high temp paint. It's the corrosion from the tank because it's been outdoors since 1964 lol! If/when there is a next time to do this, I will be more picky about my search for a more suitable tank that I like (because I am so picky). All in all......great product for a great price!!

thechuck · Feb 22, 2013

Looks great man... can't wait to see some Q!! I agree with the additions that you've said. I think a possible other addition to consider would be a counter-weight if you're having issues opening the door. On a side note... I would think the larger wheels should have been on the FB end for a couple reasons... so a handle could be on the non-FB and and also so the FB could off-set some of the weight its going to take to lift a little when needed to move. BUT... I haven't had a chance to start my first build yet so take my opinions with a grain of salt... I just know some smokey goodness when I taste it! So as long as this produces the way you want it.. who can complain right?! And the finish... that's just character!

Now get to smokin' some meat!

gent · Feb 22, 2013

Looks very nice, that stack looks a tad small however (both diameter and height)

Can't wait to see the first cook and how it handles :)

throttlejunkie1 · Feb 23, 2013

TheChuck said:
Looks great man... can't wait to see some Q!! I agree with the additions that you've said. I think a possible other addition to consider would be a counter-weight if you're having issues opening the door. On a side note... I would think the larger wheels should have been on the FB end for a couple reasons... so a handle could be on the non-FB and and also so the FB could off-set some of the weight its going to take to lift a little when needed to move. BUT... I haven't had a chance to start my first build yet so take my opinions with a grain of salt... I just know some smokey goodness when I taste it! So as long as this produces the way you want it.. who can complain right?! And the finish... that's just character!

Now get to smokin' some meat!

Thanks for the response! I google searched an image of the discription you mentioned and I absolutely agree with the idea of having the big wheels on the fire box end and casters on the other side....weld a large handle to the left side of the smoker and wa-la...a better moving smoker! That shouldn't be too hard to accomplish i think.

I'm about 8 days into my 25 days-in-a-row work schedule so I have to deal with the pain and agony of just staring at it lol!

throttlejunkie1 · Feb 23, 2013

gent said:
Looks very nice, that stack looks a tad small however (both diameter and height)

Can't wait to see the first cook and how it handles :)

The builder uses these smaller stacks because he smokes at higher temps (265/285 degrees) and it's easliy regulated....That was the first thing I asked about when I got there to pick it up.

zimmbillie · Feb 23, 2013

Can I ask how much you spent on it? I under stand if you don't want to say. I'm thinking about building one to sell I just have know idea how much I can get out of it and I can't afford to build one and loose money on it. Check out the build I am working on now lots of pics up

throttlejunkie1 · Feb 24, 2013

zimmbillie said:
Can I ask how much you spent on it? I under stand if you don't want to say. I'm thinking about building one to sell I just have know idea how much I can get out of it and I can't afford to build one and loose money on it. Check out the build I am working on now lots of pics up

Just under $500 and that included the seperate purchase of the tank. There is a side fire box at Academy for $999 and it's made of the same thickness of metal...half the size of mine....and twice the cost! That's the way I'm looking at it.

zimmbillie · Feb 24, 2013

Damn. Yeah that is cheap thanks for letting me know. I wouldn't be able to make any money. Thanks again.

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