Got my 250 tank and My first build begins udate 6/03/09

[3 star redneck]

I got impatient there at the end,

No...not you?!

[bigsal51]

I did some work today and fit the firebox but my welder is not cutting it. I tryed welding the tubing for the hinge but the welds were not penetrating the tank. It was penetrating the tubing. I think I am going to rent a welder with a generator on it. I think my welder can be used for the grating frames and small things like that.

[Southern Pride BBQ]

I'm never impatient !!! lol !!!

[bigsal51]

I got some 3/32 6011 and I couldnt get it to arc to save my life. Then I picked up the rods that the machine came with they looked like 1/8 and it welded and heated up that steel like it should. I tryed to weld tubing on to the smoker and the 6011 just didnt do it for me. The 1/8 didnt trip my braker either. So i might just go with the 1/8 rods. I know The welds look terrible but i had to cover all the 6011 welds with the 1/8 and it even passed the stength test I put a rod and tryed to pull the welded tubing and it held so I guess it 1/8 did it. Here are the pics.
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Not bad for a grinder and a cutting wheel.

[OSD]

Looks like it's coming along good.

[bigsal51]

alright need help with this. I found some tire irons and fit perfect in the tubing. Now I have no tubing bender or torch so any ideas on how i can bend these rods.I have two tire irons

[HIB]

Hello All

I am FR8 Trains buddy we are building the pit together. I am also an ironworker. So I thought I would stop in to answer some of your questions.
You probably will not be able to bend the tire iron very nicely since it heat treated metal thus making it harder. Just go to home depot and buy round rod it is cheap and it bends nice and easy with a oxy/ace torch. If you do not have a torch you could buy a map gas torch at home depot as well they are about 15 bucks. It will work to bend the rod just make sure you get the rod nice and orange before you try to bend it, so it will curve nicely.

HIB

[HIB]

Also turn your welder up as you need more penetration on your welds. Also if you turn it up you will not have those little bb's sticking everywhere= less grinding later.

[bigsal51]

DID some work yesterday and today.

















bent the rod with the trusty torch.

[OSD]

Lookin' good. It's coming right along.

[DJ]

Yup, she's comin along! Lookin Good!
dj

[Bluz]

Now thats a beautiful thing you got going. I am awaiting to see the finished pics, gonna be a hoss!!!

[gonzo100]

when I bilt a smoker I found it if you put your hinges on before you make the last cut the doors hang straight. I bult a reverse smoker out of a 250 gal and a 150 gal propane tank. I added a water tank on the front of my firebox and went with a 2 inch pipe up to the bottom of the tank. then I put a 14 ga flt steel in the bottom of the tank through my stack on the firebox side. And I got to say it is a joy to through on 30 racks of ribs and put some apple juice and beer in my water tank and go to town.