My RF Vision

[smokejumper]

Got the grease drain and clean-out drain installed.

Started by opening up a section of pipe and welding on a pipe nipple for each drain.

IMG_0005.JPG

• smokejumper
• Apr 27, 2014

IMG_0006.JPG

• smokejumper
• Apr 27, 2014

Welded onto side of cook chamber.

IMG_0009.JPG

• smokejumper
• Apr 27, 2014

Put in the anti-tip tabs for the cooking grates.

IMG_0010.JPG

• smokejumper
• Apr 27, 2014

IMG_0011.JPG

• smokejumper
• Apr 27, 2014

That is all the progress for this weekend.

Tomorrow gonna go jump out of a perfectly good airplane, so the CC door will have to wait until next weekend.

 

[smokejumper]

More progress over the last couple weekends.

Made the cook chamber door hinge swing arms.

IMG_0062.JPG

• smokejumper
• Jul 4, 2014

Used scratch start TIG to weld in the round tube sections.

Bronze bushings for smooth operation and long life.

IMG_0068.JPG

• smokejumper
• Jul 4, 2014

IMG_0076.JPG

• smokejumper
• Jul 4, 2014

Built and installed the CC Door and counter weight.

IMG_0081.JPG

• smokejumper
• Jul 4, 2014

IMG_0085.JPG

• smokejumper
• Jul 4, 2014

IMG_0088.JPG

• smokejumper
• Jul 4, 2014

IMG_0095.JPG

• smokejumper
• Jul 4, 2014

IMG_0077.JPG

• smokejumper
• Jul 4, 2014

IMG_0080.JPG

• smokejumper
• Jul 4, 2014

Next up is to install the CC door latch.

That is all the progress for now.

As always, comments are welcome and thanks for looking.

 

[elmacho]

Now you are just showing off

That is an awesome door!

 

[tattooed smoker]

Where did u come up with the ideas for your door design ??? That's way cool !!! I love the way the fold back outta the way !!!!! GREAT JOB

 

[smokejumper]

Now you are just showing off 

Thanks Elmacho.

Yeah, sometimes I like to show off.

Where did u come up with the ideas for your door design ???

Thanks Tattooed smoker.

The Cook Chamber door was inspired by commercial kiln doors that I have seen.

The Firebox door was my own invention.

 

[smokejumper]

Did not have the hand wheel for the CC door, so decided to put in the firebox secondary air inlet.

Sawed the holes. Two 2 1/4" holes.

IMG_0097.JPG

• smokejumper
• Jul 7, 2014

Welded on the spacers for the insulation.

IMG_0098.JPG

• smokejumper
• Jul 7, 2014

Made the slider.

IMG_0099.JPG

• smokejumper
• Jul 7, 2014

IMG_0100.JPG

• smokejumper
• Jul 7, 2014

Will finish welding in the slider when I get around to installing the intake air plenum.

As always, thanks for looking and comments are welcome!

 

[smulder nl]

Those doors are very cool!

 

[smokejumper]

Thanks Smulder NL.

 

[smokejumper]

Finished the CC door latch mechanism.

IMG_0108.JPG

• smokejumper
• Aug 10, 2014

IMG_0109.JPG

• smokejumper
• Aug 10, 2014

IMG_0106.JPG

• smokejumper
• Aug 10, 2014

IMG_0107.JPG

• smokejumper
• Aug 10, 2014

The wrench is temporary.
I have a hand wheel for it, but need to drill and tap it.

Still need to mount tapered bosses that the pins will slide into for a tight fit.

Next up was to make a press brake so I can bend the metal for the intake plenum.

IMG_0110.JPG

• smokejumper
• Aug 10, 2014

IMG_0111.JPG

• smokejumper
• Aug 10, 2014

That is all for now.

As always, comments are welcome and thanks for looking!

 

[lendecatural]

I love the twisted metal detail on the door, sweet! You can send that press and brake to Alabama when you are done with the smoker.....Nice job!

 

[smokejumper]

 
... when you are done with the smoker.....

Thanks LenDecaturAL,

You might have a long wait for that press brake.

This smoker has only been in work for 3 1/2 years!

But, the designing and building is the hobby, so I don't need to rush it!

 

[smokejumper]

Got some more done the last couple weekends between trips to Texas for work, and vacation in Indiana to visit and go fishing with my Dad.

Used my press brake to bend some 1/8" sheet for the intake plenum:

IMG_0176.JPG

• smokejumper
• Sep 7, 2014

IMG_0178.JPG

• smokejumper
• Sep 7, 2014

The Brake worked Awesome!

Welded up some 4" 90 degree ducts and finished assembling the plenum:

IMG_0181.JPG

• smokejumper
• Sep 7, 2014

IMG_0182.JPG

• smokejumper
• Sep 7, 2014

Installed on the smoker!

IMG_0183.JPG

• smokejumper
• Sep 7, 2014

IMG_0185.JPG

• smokejumper
• Sep 7, 2014

The right side will have a bolt on access panel for clean out purposes.

Ball valve and second 90 degree duct installed:

IMG_0187.JPG

• smokejumper
• Sep 7, 2014

The press brake made a world of difference in pulling this off. I couldn't be more pleased with how this air intake came out.

That is all for now.

As always, comments are welcome and thanks for looking!

 

[smokejumper]

Got some more done. Was sitting around lacking motivation when the wife told me to go work on the smoker. She knows best. At the end of the day I was glad she did; I had a really good day.

The intake plenum is finished. I decided against the removable panel and just enclosed it.

IMG_20150419_170657160.jpg

• smokejumper
• Apr 19, 2015

Also finished the firebox door latch.

IMG_20150419_175533401.jpg

• smokejumper
• Apr 19, 2015

IMG_20150419_175557371.jpg

• smokejumper
• Apr 19, 2015

IMG_20150419_170638578.jpg

• smokejumper
• Apr 19, 2015

IMG_20150419_175610048.jpg

• smokejumper
• Apr 19, 2015

IMG_20150419_175656065.jpg

• smokejumper
• Apr 19, 2015

That is the last of the really technical parts of the build.

Now just need to put on the insulation and the outer skin.

Thinking of adding therms to the CC door.

Also want to add a port for temp probe wires. Anyone have a good design for a wire port?

 

[smokejumper]

My goodness how time flies!

Just realized it had been 6 months since my last post on my own build!

Seriously, I will try to do better.

What with holidays, and hunting, and skydiving, the time just flew by.

Feel free to poke me anytime I seem to be of track.

 

[lendecatural]

Looks great SmokeJumper, it takes extra time to build in all the unique features you are putting in this smoker!

 

[gary s]

Wondering what happened to you ?   Can't wait to see it finished 

Gary

 

[inkjunkie]

SmokeJumper, evening.... One thing to remember.... In pipe, a 4" pipe has 4 times the volume per length as a 2" pipe....  2" , 4 times a 1"..... Volume is very important..... also several small diameter pipes instead of 1 large pipe is not equal.....   Friction loss from the pipe walls comes into play.... 2" = 6.28" circumference......  4" = 19.8" circumference....   4" has 3 times the surface area while it has 4 times the volume... less resistance with reduced surface area....       That's a big deal......    

Dave

Huh? I know this is a couple of years old but.....huh? You math folks make my head hurt lol...

 

[inkjunkie]

Your press brake is awesome. Fellow that did the fab work on my car,had access to a brake that could bend intricate designs into 1/2" plate.

 

[gary s]

 

[smokejumper]

Thanks Len & Gary. I hope I don't make y'all wait too long to see the culmination of my RF vision.

Hey Inkjunkie, I have always enjoyed the math and engineering, which is why my smoker has taken nearly four years to get to this point. But as I like to say the designing and building is the hobby. The smoking is just a nice bonus. My big mistake (or fortuitous decision) was to build a UDS so that I could take my time on the RF.

When you have a 50 ton press sitting around it inspires you to make the best use of it.