250gal Reverse Flow Trailer Build

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Okay, so for those of you wondering I work weekends and am off every Tuesday and Wednesday. That being said, I'm going to be cutting the hole in the tank for the exhaust pipe on Tuesday and I'm wondering what is the easiest way to layout the hole and cut it seeing as I dont have access to anything to cut metal with other than a 4 1/2" & 7" grinder, and an assortment of hole saws but none big enough for the 6" exhaust pipe.
So any tips to get me started on Tuesday?
I will return the favor with more smoker p#%& (aka. pics) thats what my wife jokes about cause I spend THAT MUCH TIME reading buld forums. I think I have a problem, and this is how I'm currently seeking help.
It can be done with some cutting disks for your 4 1/2 grinder. Lay out your hole with a pre-fit exhaust stack. Then cut small pieces out up to the line you marked. Finish with a grinding wheel.
 
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You could use jig saw with bi-metal blades if you drill a pilot hole, if you don't have access to oxy-acetylene setup.
 
Hey.... JW.....  when I was young, I could sit like that and weld.... Not anymore....  Jeezzzz, to have the body of a younger me....  WOW.... I forgot what it looked like.....    

Dave
 
Don't feel too bad Dave, I am only 26 and I couldn't have gotten my body in there like that.  Looks like it's coming along nicely.
 
I'm not exactly small, I'm 6'2 and 180lbs while I definitely aint the biggest guy around I think my ability to do the welding from within the firebox has ALOT to do with the size.
You know just thinking aloud here, and comletely off topic, but am I the only one that anytime I post something about the size of anything, I try to rephrase what I'm about to say just to avoid the whole "that's what she said" response?
 
You know just thinking aloud here, and comletely off topic, but am I the only one that anytime I post something about the size of anything, I try to rephrase what I'm about to say just to avoid the whole "that's what she said" response?
           
yeahthat.gif
   

You make me laugh....
 
I'm not exactly small, I'm 6'2 and 180lbs while I definitely aint the biggest guy around I think my ability to do the welding from within the firebox has ALOT to do with the size.
You know just thinking aloud here, and comletely off topic, but am I the only one that anytime I post something about the size of anything, I try to rephrase what I'm about to say just to avoid the whole "that's what she said" response?
I have caught myself rephrasing a couple times as well. And we are about the same build I am just not very flexible, I couldn't get in a good position to weld like that. Instead I just generally end up tipping it on it's side and then welding as much as I can laying down over head or on my side or leaning into it to get them.
 
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I'm not exactly small, I'm 6'2 and 180lbs while I definitely aint the biggest guy around I think my ability to do the welding from within the firebox has ALOT to do with the size.

JW.... Holy Cow..... From the pic, I thought you were 5'4" and 110#'s....  The picture does not  put stuff in perspective very well... Or the firebox is HUGE....    I still couldn't fit in it....  Too old, joints don't flex like they used to.... stomach muscles still flex....  not 6 pack type flex... the other flex...  Oh, maybe a little 6 pack flex, the other kind of 6 pack....the real one.....Dave
 
I payed a 16 yr old just out of Voc. school to do the tig welding on my alumunum tower I built for my boat.  That boy wove himself inside that thing and would run one solid weld around every tube with out stopping......looked like a snake in there.   People at marinas will take pictures of that tower just becouse of the quality and fit and finish. There was no way I could have ever run those welds in tight quaters like that. even when I was 16
 
You've got a nice build going JW,As you said "[color= rgb(24, 24, 24)]THIS THING WEIGHS A TON."[/color]

[font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]The FB is going to be around 1/3 of the weight of the rig.(if it's ¼")[/font]

[font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]Just make sure you have an axle rated for 2000lb's[/font]

[font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]It might sit well on the trailer but you need to be ready for that pot-hole that will test the weight and [/font]

[font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]integrity of the trailer.[/font]

[font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]Good Luck[/font]

[font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]Rap[/font]
 
Hey I know what you mean JW. I had to get inside to weld mine. And I built it on the tank. The bottom is 3/8" plate so it is HEAVY.

The trick is to make it look simple like you belong in there ha ha
 
JW, evening.... She's a thing of beauty.... Sanitary install... Looks good...... BTW, what are the little starlites in the cook chamber ??  Holes from the door seal that need some weld applied ??? Reflection from the flash ??  The trailer design using the smoker as support for the frame is cool....   I like it... That baby will hold up forever.....  good job....   Dave
 
I have a few questions for those of you that have done this once or twice before.
How do you get the trailer to sit level? (Side to side)
And
How much ground clearance is sufficient under the firebox to avoid damage in parking lots?
The reason I ask is, on the right side of the Firebox I have 8" of clearance and on the left I have just over 7" of clearance. Can/should this be fixed, or am I just over concerned?
 
Carry 1" x 6" scraps to put under the tires to level it...  As far as FB clearance, build a drop hitch that leaves enough clearance at the truck and raises the FB for more clearance when traveling in and out of parking lot ramps... if you need it....  You could put a skid plate on the FB so it will drag instead of the box.... Make the skid plate(s) out of 1/2 x 2 flat bar and weld to the bottom of the FB.... that way only 4" wide material is dragging on the concrete or asphalt....   Or driving diagonally across the in and out ramps will help with clearance issues also...
 
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