Ugly Drum Smoker

Oldbob · Jun 1, 2007

biffleg said:
Thanks for the quick reply. Which leads to another question - I assume there is some type of cap that screws to the pipe nipple to close off the pipe? And - can you get 1/2 inch pipe nipples at Lowes or Home Depot?

Either place will have the Pipe Nipples,and pipe caps....just be sure to get Black Nipples...Not the Galvanized ones!!...and I would get a few 1/2" conduit lock Nuts also...they will thread right on the nipples ...you could put on on the inside and one on the outside just in case the nipples were fitting to loose,when you tighten the locknuts they will hold the nipple tightly against the barrel.

biffleg · Jun 1, 2007

Smokin Gator said:
I did get the PM and sent you the doc via email. I sent it at 8:24 AM. Let me know if you don't get it and I will send it again.

Brent

Just checked and it came through - thanks for that! Think I'll have to go do a little shopping today on my lunch break :wink:

biffleg · Jun 1, 2007

Smokin Gator said:
While you are there, make sure to check the electrician's nuts (now that could make a heck of an out of context) to see if they will go onto the pipe nipples.

Brent

I can see the wife's face now when I tell her this weekend I'm going out in the garage to play with my nuts and nipples :lol:

biffleg · Jun 1, 2007

Oldbob said:
Either place will have the Pipe Nipples,and pipe caps....just be sure to get Black Nipples...Not the Galvanized ones!!...and I would get a few 1/2" conduit lock Nuts also...they will thread right on the nipples ...you could put on on the inside and one on the outside just in case the nipples were fitting to loose,when you tighten the locknuts they will hold the nipple tightly against the barrel.

That helps ... thanks Bob!

Bigmista · Jun 1, 2007

Smokin Gator said:
While you are there, make sure to check the electrician's nuts

If only this were woodpile...

Oldbob · Jun 1, 2007

Smokin Gator said:
While you are there, make sure to check the electrician's nuts

Brent

biffleg said:
I can see the wife's face now when I tell her this weekend I'm going out in the garage to play with my nuts and nipples :lol:

Bigmista said:
If only this were woodpile...

LMAO:biggrin: :biggrin:

biffleg · Jun 1, 2007

Went by Lowes at lunch and picked up everything that was on the shopping list (derived from Smokin Gator's document he sent). To ensure airflow won't be a problem though ... I went with 3/4" pipe nipples and accessories. My thought was I would rather have 2 or 3 3/4" pipes capped and available instead of all (3) 1/2" wide open.

Given that ... does anyone have a rough idea of the size hole that needs to be drilled for a 3/4" pipe nipple?

Smokin Gator · Jun 1, 2007

I originally bought 3/4 inch nipples but couldn't find a step bit that would go that large. Somewhere back in this thread other's have suggested other tools that would cut nice clean round holes, but I don't remember what they were.... sorry!

You will be able to get close to the outside diameter of the pipe nipple by just putting in one a tape measure or ruler.

If you can't figure out a tool for the job, don't hesitate to go with the 1/2 nipples. I usually have 1 open and the one with the ball valve about half open to keep 220-230. If I want to do some chickens a bit higher I open a third. Rarely have I had to open all 4. I have done it a couple of times just to see what kind of temps I could get and 300-325 was a piece of cake.

keale · Jun 1, 2007

for a 3/4 inch nipple, ......ummmm 3/4 inch drill bit?? :-D You gotta understand whos talking here, I'm "mechanically" disabled"!
I actually had all 4 1/2 inchers, but now I have one 3/4 inch nipple, why? cause the hole I drilled became too big after I filed it down!!

I tell all my buddies its all in the design plan, and its critical to have that one 3/4 inch nipple!:-D

Smokin Gator · Jun 1, 2007

keale said:
for a 3/4 inch nipple, ......ummmm 3/4 inch drill bit?? :-D You gotta understand whos talking here, I'm "mechanically" disabled"!
I actually had all 4 1/2 inchers, but now I have one 3/4 inch nipple, why? cause the hole I drilled became too big after I filed it down!! I tell all my buddies its all in the design plan, and its critical to have that one 3/4 inch nipple!:-D

LOL... that is one big arse drill bit!!!!

And Keale... doesn't it feel good to fess up and get it off your chest that your drum is designed to have uneven airflow...

You know I am j/k bro....

biffleg · Jun 1, 2007

Thanks for the responses. My dad says he has the needed bits, etc. - so I'll see what he comes up with and if needed - we go back for the 1/2 inch size!

If you're not tired of seeing another UDS being built ... but I'll try to keep everyone updated as we progress!

ipls3355 · Jun 1, 2007

biffleg said:
Thanks for the responses. My dad says he has the needed bits, etc. - so I'll see what he comes up with and if needed - we go back for the 1/2 inch size!

If you're not tired of seeing another UDS being built ... but I'll try to keep everyone updated as we progress!

Yes please, I'm planning on doing one myself

swamprb · Jun 2, 2007

FYI!

While you guy are checking the Electrician's nuts and tightening your nipples, Greenlee makes a step drill bit that I believe will cut to 1 1/2" holes. Both Lowes and HD have them ( @ $50+ ) along with a 7/8" bit ( $35 ) They are kind of hidden near the wiring and conduits.

I'd like to see the progress!

Brian

Norcoredneck · Jun 2, 2007

I used a 1" hole saw to make a hole where 3/4" pipe nipples screw into

Here is a 3/4" X 1/2" bushing threaded in hole. I welded mine but as I suggested eariler you could lock in with conduit nuts.

Here is 3/4" nipple welded.

And valve installed

outside ed · Jun 2, 2007

Nice job there, I stand in awe of you guys that have that mechanical ability. Ed.

Beerwolf · Jun 10, 2007

OK.,,, you really got my curiousity going now.... where can I find a good pictorial on building one of these things??

qman · Jun 10, 2007

Beerwolf said:
OK.,,, you really got my curiousity going now.... where can I find a good pictorial on building one of these things??

Beerwolf, your question makes it sound like you may not have started at the begining of this thread. If not, that would be a very good place to start.

bman · Jun 10, 2007

yeah, plenty of info and pics....now all I need to find is some good barrels....Any ideas what type business I could bug for cheap or free barrels?

bman

thirdeye · Jun 10, 2007

Beerwolf said:
OK.,,, you really got my curiousity going now.... where can I find a good pictorial on building one of these things??

Yeah, what qman said. Hey, nice avatar. :mrgreen:

JW · Jun 10, 2007

Here's a photo of one of my drum smokers, as you can see it is a little different. I used a section of 2 inch steel/aluminum exhaust tubing to make a fresh air intake tube. I welded it in the drum about 2 inches from the bottom. On top of the air intake tube I have an adjustable slide to regulate the amount of air entering the drum and to also act as a rain guard. I used a piece of 3 inch steel/aluminum exhaust tubing to make an exhaust stack, it also has an adjustable slide to act as a rain guard. There is no bending over to adjust the air intake ballvalves. (This makes it alot easier on the 'ol back, not alot of bending and easy to see if cooking at night in areas that don't have good light) Construction is open to the imagination. :idea:

I placed 5th in both pork shoulder and chicken using this smoker design at the 1st comp I carried it too.:-D

Ugly Drum Smoker

Oldbob

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is Blowin Smoke!

is Blowin Smoke!

is Blowin Smoke!

somebody shut me the fark up.

Oldbob

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is Blowin Smoke!

Babbling Farker

Babbling Farker

Babbling Farker

is Blowin Smoke!

is one Smokin' Farker

somebody shut me the fark up.

somebody shut me the fark up.

Full Fledged Farker

Take a breath!

Babbling Farker

bman

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somebody shut me the fark up.

JW

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