Rookie Fab Mistake, Help!

morgaj1 · 01-30-2012, 07:19 PM

Okay, I am quite possibly the stupidest welder/fabricator ever

I got the end caps welded on the main chamber of my reverse flow smoker and realized that my heat diffuser (17"x33"x1/4" plate) will not fit through the door opening (28"x15"). My thoughts are to cut the plate in half, get them through the door, and then weld them back together. Before I do this, anybody got a better idea?

BBQ Bandit · 01-30-2012, 07:23 PM

Sounds that way... or knock out the lower 1/3 of the end plate.
Cut out the end plate (lower third), slide in the baffle, weld in the baffle while the end open.
Reweld the end plate patch in place.

Note: If you decide to cut the baffle, it will not be a 'visible' seam... being under the grates.

NorthwestBBQ · 01-30-2012, 08:11 PM

Got a pic?

Randbo · 01-30-2012, 08:18 PM

You might not want it welded back together so you can easily remove to clean out under there. Also are you going to have a drain for grease? The heat diffuser depending on your design might benefit from being even three or more pieces that can be moved to tune the heat by leaving gaps in the right places. Something to think about.

smokeyokie · 01-30-2012, 08:25 PM

I have an RF and love it the only thing I dont have in mine is a grease valve! this would be the perfect time to cut your channel in and make a grease drain and then weld the other piece in place, I would suggest cut it 2/3 to 1/3.. If you arent planning on a grease drain plz take my advice and put one in your diffuser you will be glad you did!!!

morgaj1 · 01-30-2012, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NorthwestBBQ

Got a pic?

Here ya go:

smokeyokie · 01-30-2012, 09:21 PM

War eagle!!!!!!!!!!

morgaj1 · 01-30-2012, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smokeyokie

War eagle!!!!!!!!!!

War Eagle! What's an AU fan doing in Sooner country?

Triple T BBQ · 01-30-2012, 09:35 PM

Cut it down the middle and add in a piece of angle iron for the center section. You should be able to get it in there even if its split lengthwise. Otherwise you could go 1/3 2/3 length like Smokeyokie stated. It won't matter and you can grind it smooth with a small hand grinder and flapper wheel. Looking good!!

chillcoolcold · 01-30-2012, 09:40 PM

To bad you can't hit the back button!

Seriously I wish could weld and try something like that maybe some day

Good luck

Bluehawg · 01-31-2012, 08:38 AM

cutting it straight and then either laying it in and leaving it in two pieces OR welding back together would be fine. Personally, I would clean the cut up so it matched up good and tight and would leave it in two pieces so I could remove it later easier if I needed too. Just remember not to try to weld it up all at one time if you plan on welding it because it will cause it to warp. Short welds maybe an inch or three and then move to another spot and that way the heat won't be so concentrated and you will be less likely to warp it.

Like I said though, I would just make sure the cut was good and clean and matched up tight and would just leave it in two pieces.

AUradar · 01-31-2012, 09:07 AM

As a fellow Auburn fan, I must advise you of the damage you are making to our good name. Please change your avatar pic until this discussion is complete.

thank you

PS: I expect a sampling this year at one of the home games.

War Eagle!!!!!

AUradar · 01-31-2012, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluehawg

Like I said though, I would just make sure the cut was good and clean and matched up tight and would just leave it in two pieces.

couldn't you just weld a overlap piece on top of one of the pieces to cover any gap?

Bluehawg · 01-31-2012, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AUradar

couldn't you just weld a overlap piece on top of one of the pieces to cover any gap?

Yep. That's another good idea. That way they could still be two separate pieces in order to make for easy removal if needed. The overlap piece could just be tacked in a few places too.

Bluehawg · 01-31-2012, 11:51 AM

Oh, and just for the record. I wouldn't by any means consider this a "stupid" mistake. Seems like just an honest mishap that could have several possible remedies. I know how it is to get "hung up" on a detail like this as I've had my share of learning curves on the one I'm building right now. BUT, I just explain what I got, what I want, and what I've thought of and wait for suggestions to rectify problem to roll in and then go with the best idea that funnels in or with something I come up with on my own after listening to how others would solve it. Thank goodness for this site and for the welding forum I'm on because there is no telling how much MONEY I would have WASTED if it wasn't for being able to get suggestions on how to make what I have available work rather than just scrubbing this or that and starting over.

01-30-2012, 07:19 PM	#1
morgaj1 is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 09-06-11 Location: Alabama	Rookie Fab Mistake, Help! Okay, I am quite possibly the stupidest welder/fabricator ever I got the end caps welded on the main chamber of my reverse flow smoker and realized that my heat diffuser (17"x33"x1/4" plate) will not fit through the door opening (28"x15"). My thoughts are to cut the plate in half, get them through the door, and then weld them back together. Before I do this, anybody got a better idea? __________________ Eric Congress is like 2 drunks arguing about the bar tab on the Titanic.

01-30-2012, 07:23 PM	#2
BBQ Bandit Babbling Farker Join Date: 02-15-08 Location: Harrisburg, PA	Sounds that way... or knock out the lower 1/3 of the end plate. Cut out the end plate (lower third), slide in the baffle, weld in the baffle while the end open. Reweld the end plate patch in place. Note: If you decide to cut the baffle, it will not be a 'visible' seam... being under the grates. __________________ Custom Klose Backyard Chef... of Snot, and a 22.5 WSM Former smokers; Lang 84 Deluxe kitchen, Lang 60 Mobile - The Damsel II, Lang 48 Patio - The Damsel, Bubba Keg Grill - RIP, Double Barrel Smoker and a BSKD Last edited by BBQ Bandit; 01-30-2012 at 07:51 PM..

01-30-2012, 08:18 PM	#4
Randbo is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 06-06-11 Location: Brookings Oregon	You might not want it welded back together so you can easily remove to clean out under there. Also are you going to have a drain for grease? The heat diffuser depending on your design might benefit from being even three or more pieces that can be moved to tune the heat by leaving gaps in the right places. Something to think about. __________________ 3 UDS, One charcoal eating fire breathing home bulit trailer pit,

01-30-2012, 08:25 PM	#5
smokeyokie is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 04-26-11 Location: Vinita, OK	I have an RF and love it the only thing I dont have in mine is a grease valve! this would be the perfect time to cut your channel in and make a grease drain and then weld the other piece in place, I would suggest cut it 2/3 to 1/3.. If you arent planning on a grease drain plz take my advice and put one in your diffuser you will be glad you did!!! __________________ [FONT=Arial Black][SIZE=3][FONT=Arial]open brick fire pit[/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=3]weber smokey joe with homemade WSM[/SIZE][/FONT] [SIZE=3]2 weber kettle[/SIZE] [SIZE=3]maverick ET 732[/SIZE] [SIZE=3]1 really, I mean really UGLY Drum Smoker[/SIZE] [SIZE=3]super fast RED and BLACK thermapens[/SIZE] [SIZE=3]_____________________[/SIZE] [SIZE=3]Billy:flame:"Smoke on Brothers and Sisters"[/SIZE]

01-30-2012, 09:21 PM	#7
smokeyokie is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 04-26-11 Location: Vinita, OK	War eagle!!!!!!!!!! __________________ [FONT=Arial Black][SIZE=3][FONT=Arial]open brick fire pit[/FONT][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial][SIZE=3]weber smokey joe with homemade WSM[/SIZE][/FONT] [SIZE=3]2 weber kettle[/SIZE] [SIZE=3]maverick ET 732[/SIZE] [SIZE=3]1 really, I mean really UGLY Drum Smoker[/SIZE] [SIZE=3]super fast RED and BLACK thermapens[/SIZE] [SIZE=3]_____________________[/SIZE] [SIZE=3]Billy:flame:"Smoke on Brothers and Sisters"[/SIZE]

01-30-2012, 08:11 PM	#3
NorthwestBBQ somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 06-28-09 Location: Everett, WA	Got a pic?

01-30-2012, 09:35 PM	#9
Triple T BBQ Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 12-20-11 Location: SE, Minnesota	Cut it down the middle and add in a piece of angle iron for the center section. You should be able to get it in there even if its split lengthwise. Otherwise you could go 1/3 2/3 length like Smokeyokie stated. It won't matter and you can grind it smooth with a small hand grinder and flapper wheel. Looking good!! __________________ Triple T BBQ - CBJ 2012-2014 [url]http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123061[/url]

01-30-2012, 09:40 PM	#10
chillcoolcold Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 05-12-10 Location: towaco,nj	To bad you can't hit the back button! Seriously I wish could weld and try something like that maybe some day Good luck __________________ Weber 22.5 Performer / Meadow Creek TS60 Smoker / Weber 26.75 One Touch Gold / Lynx 30" Propane

01-31-2012, 08:38 AM	#11
Bluehawg Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 11-07-11 Location: Richton, MS	cutting it straight and then either laying it in and leaving it in two pieces OR welding back together would be fine. Personally, I would clean the cut up so it matched up good and tight and would leave it in two pieces so I could remove it later easier if I needed too. Just remember not to try to weld it up all at one time if you plan on welding it because it will cause it to warp. Short welds maybe an inch or three and then move to another spot and that way the heat won't be so concentrated and you will be less likely to warp it. Like I said though, I would just make sure the cut was good and clean and matched up tight and would just leave it in two pieces. __________________ BBQ ADDICT and Ag Teacher

01-31-2012, 09:07 AM	#12
AUradar Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 06-02-10 Location: NW Florida	As a fellow Auburn fan, I must advise you of the damage you are making to our good name. Please change your avatar pic until this discussion is complete. thank you PS: I expect a sampling this year at one of the home games. War Eagle!!!!!

01-31-2012, 11:51 AM	#15
Bluehawg Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 11-07-11 Location: Richton, MS	Oh, and just for the record. I wouldn't by any means consider this a "stupid" mistake. Seems like just an honest mishap that could have several possible remedies. I know how it is to get "hung up" on a detail like this as I've had my share of learning curves on the one I'm building right now. BUT, I just explain what I got, what I want, and what I've thought of and wait for suggestions to rectify problem to roll in and then go with the best idea that funnels in or with something I come up with on my own after listening to how others would solve it. Thank goodness for this site and for the welding forum I'm on because there is no telling how much MONEY I would have WASTED if it wasn't for being able to get suggestions on how to make what I have available work rather than just scrubbing this or that and starting over. __________________ BBQ ADDICT and Ag Teacher