My First UDS Build...

CraftWerks-RC · 07-20-2012, 10:41 AM

I have been wanting to build a UDS for awhile now but just never had the time as other projects kept getting in the way. after collecting all the parts and supplies I needed, I finally made the time to start my build. I wanted to keep it simple and not stray from the basics that I learned from the great UDS threads here. Although I did (as I always do) ended up doing a few things different along the way as the work started, I think it turned out pretty good....

This is what I started with:

Then picked up this weber with some extras from CL for CHEAP!

The drum was bought new and painted before I got it, So I had to get busy with the wire wheel on the inside.

I Ended up scoring another Weber Kettle (freebie!) and decided to use that one for this project as it was blue and I wanted to keep the black Weber. My kettle lid did not fit my barrel very well so I had to figure out how to mount it. Well one thing led to another and I tried using the bottom to the weber kettle and liked the way it looked with the extra headroom, and the vents being dead center on the top.

I decided this was going to be my lid and this is how I made it work:

I cut the nubz off the dome and went a little deep to get rid of some rust, so I used some JB weld to smooth/fill the area.

The bottom of the lid is damm heavy, so I had the idea of hinging it....In the end it turned out awesome and was totally worth it, but it added A LOT of time to my build.

I started by using the handle already on the kettle and welding on a 4" metal hinge...

It took on a life of its own after this as I continued to build as needed.

I call it "FrankenHinge".

I built in a stop to hold the lid open as well.

Time to burn it out!

Smoker Build :: 80e806f5.mp4 video by CRAFTWERKS-RC - Photobucket

After the burn the outside got sanded and then a good cleaning.

Then I painted her with some Duplicolor gloss black engine paint.

There was a 3/8" gap that need to be sealed between the ring for the lid and the drum so I used some stove gasket to keep it leak free. I finished this with black high temp RTV, oiled up the rim of the lid and closed it tight for a couple days so the RTV would form a nice tight seal around the lid. The outcome was better then I expected before I started... The lid closes and seals perfectly!

DONE!!!

Thanks for looking!

charrederhead · 07-20-2012, 10:48 AM

Pure genius and it's gorgeous! Well done.

I am jealous of all welders.

MisterChrister · 07-20-2012, 10:51 AM

Wow, you took the ugly out of UDS, nice fab work, it looks great!

jasonjax · 07-20-2012, 10:55 AM

Awesome dude. I wish I had any kind of fabrication skillz like you!

cowgirl · 07-20-2012, 11:09 AM

Great job! That's a beautiful smoker.

CraftWerks-RC · 07-20-2012, 02:09 PM

Thanks for all the comments.... I hope to season it this weekend and get to learning what a UDS is all about!

yakdung · 07-20-2012, 02:22 PM

Sweet!

ricknct · 07-20-2012, 02:29 PM

great fabrication skills. good job!

Mattman · 07-20-2012, 02:32 PM

I do not think it is applicable to keep the "U", because that is definately not ugly.

Absolutely wonderful job. Thank you for posting. I hope to utilize your ideas when I finally get around to my own UDS.

jalon · 07-20-2012, 04:09 PM

Very nice job on your PDS (pretty drum smoker)

Seriously though, nice work!!

BillywannaQ · 07-20-2012, 05:44 PM

Meh... Can it cook or is it just yard art?
Just kidding bro. That thing is a piece of work. I'm sure you (and all your buddies, remember that) are gonna enjoy some fine Q out of it. Just think about what you're gonna say when they ask you: "Can you make me one?"

InTheRedZoneBBQ · 07-20-2012, 06:11 PM

Very nice job! I may have to incorporate a few of your ideas in a future build...very nice.

heatseeker · 07-20-2012, 07:32 PM

You're pushing me over the edge there with that ADS (Awesome Drum Smoker)

now enough of all this build pr0n.....let's see some meat on that bad boy!

juslearning · 07-20-2012, 08:58 PM

I kinda liked the the leg holders on it. Nice job!!!

Napper · 07-20-2012, 09:04 PM

Love that LID! Best one I have seen!

07-20-2012, 10:48 AM	#2
charrederhead is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 06-29-12 Location: Thomaston, CT Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Pure genius and it's gorgeous! Well done. I am jealous of all welders. __________________ Weber kettle farmer, rotis., 18.5 WSM, WGA, Brinkmann (nee OK Joe) Cimarron stickburner

07-20-2012, 10:51 AM	#3
MisterChrister is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 04-28-12 Location: Richland Center, WI Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Wow, you took the ugly out of UDS, nice fab work, it looks great! __________________ '69 Redhead 2X Stainless Performers TS Performer Mystery Blue OTG Simpsons SJ SJG WGA A "few" others

07-20-2012, 11:09 AM	#5
cowgirl somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 07-18-07 Location: Oklahoma Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Great job! That's a beautiful smoker. __________________ jeanie sittin' by the campfire with my Brethren friends. Lifetime member of the Society for the Preservation of Authentic Royal Magical Rare Kaskaskian Peppers (Thanks Ash :)) http://cowgirlscountry.blogspot.com/

07-20-2012, 02:29 PM	#8
ricknct Knows what a fatty is. Join Date: 12-25-04 Location: connecticut Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	great fabrication skills. good job! __________________ Homemade smoker from fridge Weber kettle (jr.) Turkey fryer Gas grill - Charbroil 4 burner Charcoal grill -old Coleman gasser Brinkman smoke n grill- charcoal pig pit-275 gal. fuel tank conversion Charbroil electric smoker- bullet style coleman 2 burner camp stove homemade propane burner roadside found charcoaler feels like perfect drinkin' weather

07-20-2012, 02:32 PM	#9
Mattman Is lookin for wood to cook with. Join Date: 04-13-12 Location: Buffalo, NY Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I do not think it is applicable to keep the "U", because that is definately not ugly. Absolutely wonderful job. Thank you for posting. I hope to utilize your ideas when I finally get around to my own UDS. __________________ CG Duo w/ side smoker, MF propane/charcoal combo cabinet, Weber Kettle, Weber Little Smokey Joe

07-20-2012, 10:55 AM	#4
jasonjax is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 12-20-07 Location: Jax, Fl. Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Awesome dude. I wish I had any kind of fabrication skillz like you!

07-20-2012, 02:09 PM	#6
CraftWerks-RC Got Wood. Join Date: 01-26-10 Location: Ca. Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Thanks for all the comments.... I hope to season it this weekend and get to learning what a UDS is all about!

07-20-2012, 02:22 PM	#7
yakdung is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 04-12-10 Location: Houston, Texas Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Sweet!

07-20-2012, 04:09 PM	#10
jalon On the road to being a farker Join Date: 05-08-11 Location: Hanahan, SC Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Very nice job on your PDS (pretty drum smoker) Seriously though, nice work!!

07-20-2012, 05:44 PM	#11
BillywannaQ Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 02-08-08 Location: El Paso, Texas Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Meh... Can it cook or is it just yard art? Just kidding bro. That thing is a piece of work. I'm sure you (and all your buddies, remember that) are gonna enjoy some fine Q out of it. Just think about what you're gonna say when they ask you: "Can you make me one?"

07-20-2012, 06:11 PM	#12
InTheRedZoneBBQ Knows what a fatty is. Join Date: 09-28-10 Location: Wildwood, MO Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Very nice job! I may have to incorporate a few of your ideas in a future build...very nice.

07-20-2012, 07:32 PM	#13
heatseeker Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 04-13-12 Location: Dallas, GA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	You're pushing me over the edge there with that ADS (Awesome Drum Smoker) now enough of all this build pr0n.....let's see some meat on that bad boy!

07-20-2012, 08:58 PM	#14
juslearning Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 01-30-11 Location: McCormick, SC Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I kinda liked the the leg holders on it. Nice job!!! __________________ Proud supporter of BKBBQ as a sponsor Mister Sparky

07-20-2012, 09:04 PM	#15
Napper On the road to being a farker Join Date: 01-17-07 Location: Mobile, Alabama Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Love that LID! Best one I have seen! __________________ Bill Napper. Team Cook "JoeJo's BBQ" Custom offset stickburner Gas assisted cabinet smoker (400 lb. capacity!) 55 gal. drum smokers galore! (All custom built)