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42" RF Smoker Build

One of the questions that usually comes up in a build thread is cost. So, I thought I would post my costs so far:


Wheels, 4 $31.20
6" Daisy Wheel Vents, 2 $42.00
Expanded Metal, 4'x8' $50.00
Spring Handles, 4 $37.19
2" Square Tube, 14ga, 24' $33.90
4"x 18" Pipe $14.25
20"x42"x3/8" Pipe $61.60
Hinges, 4 $33.00

Total $303.14

I have 1" square tube (for grate), 1.25"x1/8' flat stock (for door edges), 1.5" angle (for shelf), and the drain pipe setup to buy. I am estimating about $500 total cost on this build. Final cost will also depend on how I paint it. I am toying with the idea of letting a local body shop paint it. If so, that will cost much more than a homemade rattle-can job.
 
Eric,

I think you should go ahead and build it! And, if like me, you decide you don't care for the 20" pipe, than build or buy a bigger one! I will be converting my 20" to a grill at some point.

Ryan
 
I had the day off, so I took a trip to the steel yard and came home and started on the smoker. Here is the base. The picture was taken at a weird angle, but I promise it's square:

SmokerBuild1-24-12B.jpg


I also had some time to make the fire grate and ash pan for the firebox:

SmokerBuild1-24-12A.jpg


You can also see the square tube and angle for the remainder of the build in the background. Also, I ran out of time and did not get the sheet metal cut for the bottom of the ash pan. Hopefully, I will have some time this weekend to work on it.
 
BTW, I could only get 36" of good pipe from the section I bought. So, the smoker will now be 20"x36".
 
i will be following this thread. thanks for including the costs. it is greatly appreciated. good luck and thanks for the posts
 
vafish said:
How many folks have made a smoker out of a 55 gal drum? They are what 22" ID?
Click to expand...

Yup, but they have more verticle space for additional grates. If you find a domed lid that fits, you could feasibly have 3 cooking racks in 1 unit.

Still, 20" diameter, 36" long is about the same dimensions that most "beginner" offsets are that Kmart/Walmart/Target sells. They may not even be that big.
 
Finally got to the meat of the build today. The door is cut:

SmokerBuild1-25-12D.jpg


The smokestack is made and the counterweight cut:

SmokerBuild1-25-12B.jpg


And, got the end plates and firebox plates back from the fab shop:

SmokerBuild1-25-12A.jpg


SmokerBuild1-25-12C.jpg


The pipe is rusted pretty badly, so I have decided to take it to the sandblaster tomorrow. Maybe he can get it done before the weekend (fingers crossed.)
 
Sean "Puffy" Coals said:
Yup, but they have more verticle space for additional grates. If you find a domed lid that fits, you could feasibly have 3 cooking racks in 1 unit.

Still, 20" diameter, 36" long is about the same dimensions that most "beginner" offsets
are that Kmart/Walmart/Target sells. They may not even be that big.
Click to expand...

I didn't mean a uds, I've seen several made out of a 55 drum on its side like those beginner off sets you refer to.

No argument that bigger gives you more space. But how much space does he need? If the op is just cooking for small groups he should be fine.
 
pigpen269 said:
This things gettin done in a hurry. Looks good so far.
Click to expand...

It'll slow down now. My sandblaster is usually slow with small projects, cause he works them in between bigger jobs. I wouldn't be surprised if it takes him a week or longer to get it back to me.
 
More progress. I got the firebox built today:

Firebox1-27-12A.jpg


Here is a close up of the handle I made:

Firebox1-27-12B.jpg


Here is a shot with the fire grate in:

Firebox1-27-12C.jpg


I am sort of at a stopping point until I get the main chamber back from the sandblaster :mad:
 
Does anybody know how to rotate the last picture 180*?
 
The sandblaster finished today, but he primed the inside and outside with high temp primer. Should I be concerned about the primed inside?
 
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