• 100 Gal. Air Tank Build (Offset)

[Phrasty]

Hey guys... So I'v had this tank in my yard for about 6 months now meaning to make some time to get to it... Well it finally looks like this is round 2 for an offset build. It's about a 100 gal. (approx. 20"x50") air compressor tank made out of 3/8ths steel.

I don't have as much time on my hands this time around so the process might take a bit longer. I'm more than likely only gonna get to have time on the weekends for it. I'm also still looking for a couple parts and whatnot. Hopefully it wont drag on too long.

I'm planning on making this an offset smoker with the ability to be used as a grill (chicken cooker). This should be interesting... Hopefully it will go as smooth as my 120 gal. build. (http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=88599)

I've already started to play a bit so the process has started and I'm planning on doing some more work on it this weekend.

Well... here's what I have so far:

I have cut the doors, welded on some hinges and started removing & grinding the unneeded parts on the exterior.
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a84/phrasty/62727212.jpg

Made a single opening with double doors so it could fit a whole hog/lamb/goat... whatever. :thumb:
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a84/phrasty/a63b0970.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a84/phrasty/c14d869a.jpg

And some steel decided to come along for the ride...
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a84/phrasty/f6ead9f4.jpg

Thanks for looking... This should be fun. :becky:
Cheers.

[SmokinAussie]

Ooooooh Gooody

I'm looking forward to this one!

Cheers!

Bill

[buccaneer]

Me too.:bow:

[gharriger]

How heavy are the doors on a 3/8" tank that size? Are they manageable without counterweight?

[SmokeOCD]

You mention whole animals...... rotisserie?

[smokingj]

pulls up a seat to watch this one. popcorn anyone?

[trekmstr]

wow. good luck. do you plan on a seam overlap in hte center on one of the doors?

[BBQ PD]

Oh boy, another fun build. Keep the updated pics coming :thumb:.

[bluetang]

Loves me a Phrasty build:-D

[Sammy_Shuford]

Loves me a Phrasty build:-D

Yeah, what bluetang said.

[tish]

This does look like a Phrasty build! Happy to be able to watch this one from the beginning. Pass the popcorn, smokingj! :-D

[thirtydaZe]

Following.

[el_matt]

Just subscribed. Maybe this will finally be the motivation I need to start my build!

Matt

[BigBobBQ]

I am sitting here with my feet propped up waiting for the next installment!

[Phrasty]

How heavy are the doors on a 3/8" tank that size? Are they manageable without counterweight?

It's borderline... I can manage it but it would be nice. Odds are I'll counterweight it but I'm not gonna hold off lighting her up and cooking if it's not installed yet. :wink:

You mention whole animals...... rotisserie?

If I get the parts at a decent price why not but for now It'll just be on the bottom shelf. Gonna make the bottom shelf reversible for easy rotation.

wow. good luck. do you plan on a seam overlap in hte center on one of the doors?

Thanks a lot. Yeah I installed it today. :thumb: Check!

Cheers

[Phrasty]

So I got a little done today. Was on the road for most of the morning so I didn't get through everything planned. I managed to clean up the edges of the doors and cut and weld on the seals. Started marking and planning out the grate slides.

Here's a couple pics of today's activities:

Cleaning up:
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a84/phrasty/fb7ca834.jpg

You can see how thick this tank is...
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a84/phrasty/ff490cfd.jpg

Cutting the steel (just think this was a cool shot. :thumb:)
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a84/phrasty/44b2e6c8.jpg

Took a little break with some pepper shrimps and a beer:
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a84/phrasty/ae103d30.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a84/phrasty/db7c1d20.jpg

Back to work grinding:
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a84/phrasty/71b897c0.jpg

All clamped up for tacking:
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a84/phrasty/c8aaaa27.jpg

And this is what we ended up with today. Not a bad start...
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a84/phrasty/0ac44594.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a84/phrasty/17191999.jpg

Hopefully I get a chance to get a little more done tomorrow. :thumb:

Thanks for looking.
Cheers.

[RevZiLLa]

You're moving fast

[captndan]

I made one out of that same tank. Took some tweaking here and there. It's trailer mounted now.

[vhram]

Looks great! Thats one door I wouldnt want to get my finger caught in.

[colonel00]

Looking good. Love your build threads.

[Porky Joes]

With this type of tank, do you still need to do a burn out first?

[captndan]

Can't speak about Phrasty's tank but mine was full of crud. Oil, rust, dirt, you name it. Not a pleasant cleaning job.

[tish]

Lovin' the build photos so far... and the pepper shrimp and beer snack. :thumb:

[Shawn1382]

Looks sweet. Makes me want to brush up on my welding skill and tackle a project like this myself.

[martyleach]

I loved watching the last build! This should be fun. Can't wait for more.

[Ole Man Dan]

I think about a similar build every time I see a Propane tank or Air tank.
My problem is it's just too big just to use on my patio...
I'd have to build mine on a trailer to carry to parties.

[inv3ctiv3]

I'd love to have something like that!

[Phrasty]

Looks great! Thats one door I wouldnt want to get my finger caught in.

No.. it doesn't feel good at all! :doh:

With this type of tank, do you still need to do a burn out first?

Yea I'm gonna burn it out... Even if it's just to try burn off some of the paint.

I loved watching the last build! This should be fun. Can't wait for more.

Thanks Marty... Hopefully it all goes smooth, then it will be fun for sure. :thumb:

Cheers

[Phrasty]

Hey guys... Got through what I wanted to today :boxing:. I managed to cut and install the grate slides and make the racks... The racks were a bit labor intensive... :doh: Wanted to go a little above and beyond the regular expanded metal grates. I made these out of 1/4" bar stock! Came out nice. Really liking where this is going. :thumb: This is what happened today.

First thing I did was to install the slides:
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a84/phrasty/6d18ff81.jpg

Cleaned up the welds:
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a84/phrasty/b845def1.jpg

Then cut the 3/4" sq bar for the grates and tested fitted them before the next step:
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a84/phrasty/3e5cf006.jpg

Here's where all the work really came in. First I marked out the long rails to start drilling the holes for the 1/4 bars and center punched them:
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a84/phrasty/a468173b.jpg

Then started drilling:
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a84/phrasty/f2059c57.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a84/phrasty/370f98a9.jpg

Then came the time to cut the 84 1/4 bars for the grate and welded the frame together and installed the bars. Still have to tack them in, I'm guessing I can do that sometime in the week:
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a84/phrasty/c4be698a.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a84/phrasty/cfa46749.jpg

A close up of the grates:
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a84/phrasty/dfde3084.jpg

And here's where we are now...
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a84/phrasty/a1f8a79b.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a84/phrasty/ee3cc912.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a84/phrasty/9c3d380e.jpg

So far so good guys! :thumb: Thanks for looking! Hopefully some more updates soon!

Cheers

[Lazybones]

Very impressed with the grates. This build is coming along fast!

[42BBQ]

thread subscribed. That is all.

[steve6402]

skills

[SmokinAussie]

Very farkin' impressive.:hail::hail::hail:

[tamadrummer]

thread subscribed. That is all.


me too :clap2:

[Midnight Smoke]

You do very nice work, wish I had 1/2 your skill. That is going to an awesome cooker. Will be watching from the sidelines. :eusa_clap

[colonel00]

Nice progress! I do wonder if the gaps in the grates are a bit large. For large cuts of meat I am sure they will be fine but do you think it might be an issue with smaller stuff?

[Phrasty]

Nice progress! I do wonder if the gaps in the grates are a bit large. For large cuts of meat I am sure they will be fine but do you think it might be an issue with smaller stuff?

The spacing is 3/4". I have another grill I've made with the same spacing and I had the same feeling at first but it works out quite fine actually. Haven't had a problem so far. It's only when I'm doing things like shrimp where it becomes an issue but I usually use a separate tray for those kinda foods anyway. Thanks for the heads up though brother! :thumb:

Cheers

[colonel00]

The spacing is 3/4". I have another grill I've made with the same spacing and I had the same feeling at first but it works out quite fine actually. Haven't had a problem so far. It's only when I'm doing things like shrimp where it becomes an issue but I usually use a separate tray for those kinda foods anyway. Thanks for the heads up though brother! :thumb:

Cheers

Ain't no thang, brutha :becky: I just want you to get your method down pat before you build one for me :thumb: Granted, shipping might be an issue :crazy:

[tish]

I'm having the best time watching this build. Phrasty, you sure do put on one heck of a show! :-D Now where's smokingj with that popcorn? :pop2:

[Kack]

Just a question because your work looks great.

Why not split those into 4 racks with a support in the middle so you don't have to slide those big racks out every time while also letting all the heat out of the pit?

[Phrasty]

Just a question because your work looks great.

Why not split those into 4 racks with a support in the middle so you don't have to slide those big racks out every time while also letting all the heat out of the pit?

Thought about that... but I needed a pig cooker and with the supports in the middle of the smoker like that it won't allow a hog to be laid across the entire cooking surface because the 2nd shelf support and slides get in the way. I ran into that problem with my last build... well not the build but the design of it... So this build is to make up for those short comings.

As for the heat issue, I figure that the 3/8ths steel of the tank itself will do a pretty good job as a heat buffer to minimize the time the pit takes to get back to temp... Also figure that it's not a pit that I'll be opening too regularly.

Appreciate the concerns, and yes I know it will be a bit more cumbersome at times but you gotta give and take for what you want I guess... Good looking out Brother :thumb:.
Cheers

[RevZiLLa]

Very nice work. I'm subscribing too

[Phrasty]

Didn't do much tonight... Have a bunch of other work to do so I just spent about an hour when I came home tacking up the food grates... They are a little "singy" I think I might run a cross brace along the center of the length of the grates. Should dull it down a bit. They are just a little "loud" when they knock around. Thats it for today... I think progress is gonna be a bit slow until sunday. :cry:

Cheers

[Sammy_Shuford]

Nice cook grates!

[che22879]

:thumb:

[Sly-one]

Hey Tish, did the popcorn stop at your place?
Phrasty, this build looks great! How are you doing a stop for the grates to prevent them from accidentally sliding all the way out?

[tish]

Hey Tish, did the popcorn stop at your place?
Phrasty, this build looks great! How are you doing a stop for the grates to prevent them from accidentally sliding all the way out?

Nah! Smokingj disappeared, but somebody else hooked me up. Want some? :wink: Hey, Phrasty! How's the build coming today??? :-D

[Bluehawg]

Phrasty, got a question. Trying to get accurate measurements on my tank and when I use the math, it comes up to about an inch and a half SHORTER than the measurement I get when I pull a string around the circumference. I'm using the 2*Pi*radius formula where the diameter is 24.5 so the radius is 12.25 when I multiply 2 times pi times radius I'm getting 76.999 (77) HOWEVER my "string" measurement is more like 78.5~78.75....

What do I need to do? I'm trying to cut my door out as 1/4 the circumference so it should go from 1/2 across to the top... the firebox needs to be 1/3 the circumference from the top of the door. Help a brotha out if you can... PLEASE...

[Phrasty]

Phrasty, got a question. Trying to get accurate measurements on my tank and when I use the math, it comes up to about an inch and a half SHORTER than the measurement I get when I pull a string around the circumference. I'm using the 2*Pi*radius formula where the diameter is 24.5 so the radius is 12.25 when I multiply 2 times pi times radius I'm getting 76.999 (77) HOWEVER my "string" measurement is more like 78.5~78.75....

What do I need to do? I'm trying to cut my door out as 1/4 the circumference so it should go from 1/2 across to the top... the firebox needs to be 1/3 the circumference from the top of the door. Help a brotha out if you can... PLEASE...

PM sent Brother!
Cheers

[captndan]

Math will not a good smoker make. Look at it this way, do you want 1 or2 racks? If it's 1 then picture what you will be putting on it. Same thing for 2 racks. That will be the size of the door. If you're doing bacon and brisket then a 20" door does not make sense. If you're doing whole pigs then the 20" does make sense. You can also make a second special purpose one. :-P

[Bluehawg]

Math will not a good smoker make. Look at it this way, do you want 1 or2 racks? If it's 1 then picture what you will be putting on it. Same thing for 2 racks. That will be the size of the door. If you're doing bacon and brisket then a 20" door does not make sense. If you're doing whole pigs then the 20" does make sense. You can also make a second special purpose one. :-P

True, but the reason for the math was due to how I'm having to mount the firebox and it not being a reverse flow. Not wanting to be a thread jacker so I will start another thread and take some pics and try to get them posted up as soon as I can but being an ag teacher I don't have a lot of time to work on it except for during shop time so it may take a bit.:thumb:

BTW Phrasty, thanks for the PM Brotha. It helped me figure things out a little more clearly.

[Sean "Puffy" Coals]

Another spectacular Phrasty build! Awesome! Subscribed!

Hope everything's going well for you down there, brother. How's the restaurant biz?

[Brauma]

I'm lovin those racks!

[Phrasty]

Hey Tish, did the popcorn stop at your place?
Phrasty, this build looks great! How are you doing a stop for the grates to prevent them from accidentally sliding all the way out?

Thanks Sly! Don't think I'm gonna have stops for it sliding all the way out, but I am going to have tabs to stop it from tipping over, Dunno if that's what you meant? But I am going to do it like my last build. That design been working great for me.

http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=43282&stc=1&d=1279858125

Nah! Smokingj disappeared, but somebody else hooked me up. Want some? :wink: Hey, Phrasty! How's the build coming today??? :-D

Hey Tish... This week had been so busy! Don't you love it when work start creeping into fun time...? :tsk: lol such is life. I should get some more done over the weekend. Not counting on any major progress until then. :thumb: Want to redo the hinges and get some handles on. Think I have a pretty cool idea for that! :wink:

True, but the reason for the math was due to how I'm having to mount the firebox and it not being a reverse flow. Not wanting to be a thread jacker so I will start another thread and take some pics and try to get them posted up as soon as I can but being an ag teacher I don't have a lot of time to work on it except for during shop time so it may take a bit.:thumb:

BTW Phrasty, thanks for the PM Brotha. It helped me figure things out a little more clearly.

No Problem Brother. Thought you should take a look at this... Could shine some light on the math side for you and offer some proper size ratios for you to work with.

BTW, I was thinking.. since your tank is welded the other way, an easy way to find the straight line of the tank lenth-wise was to level your tank then where your horizontal center mark (from the side) comes around to the front you take your level and mark it off there to get the bottom line for your door. Did that make sense? Im not sure.. :heh:

Another spectacular Phrasty build! Awesome! Subscribed!

Hope everything's going well for you down there, brother. How's the restaurant biz?

Hey Sean, Thanks bro! Everything is good here man. No restaurant yet tho... Still catering. :thumb: One day tho! :wink:

Cheers

[tish]

Will have my seat pulled up to watch the show this weekend, Phrasty. Can't get over how much you've accomplished with it already! Dying to see your cool idea. This just gets better and better!! :wink:

[Phrasty]

Hey Everyone! Didn't get TOO much done today. Had to be on the road for most of the day but I did do a couple detail stuff on the smoker. I fabbed the handles and installed them on the grates and I installed the hold downs for the grates as well. Also started another little detail part that I'll put on tomorrow. Should be pretty cool!

Here are the pics.

Smoothed off the welds and welded on the grate hold downs.
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a84/phrasty/2011%20Build/36a9bb25.jpg

Made a lil jig for the handles and installed them on the grates as well as I had put the tank on wheels earlier in the week so it was easier to move around.
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a84/phrasty/2011%20Build/6b066519.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a84/phrasty/2011%20Build/6465f05b.jpg

Here they are extended. Also installed the door stops.
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a84/phrasty/2011%20Build/b1bddcd1.jpg

Little sneak preview for a part I'm working on for tomorrow.
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a84/phrasty/2011%20Build/af451857.jpg

Thats it for now. Thanks for lookin.
Cheers

[BBQ Bandit]

Little sneak preview for a part I'm working on for tomorrow.
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a84/phrasty/2011%20Build/af451857.jpg

Thats it for now. Thanks for lookin.
Cheers

LOL... just a few more tack welds shouldn't hurt.

Tack/link.... tack/link... tack/link... tack/link... ouch!

[EX~DY]

Awesome work Phrasty!

[Greyeagle]

I like the double doors with no middle divider in the pit ..Good job
KC

[dealm9]

this project is coming along great. your thorough documentation is well appreciated here as someday i hope to build one of these :thumb:

[speers90]

this project is coming along great. your thorough documentation is well appreciated here as someday i hope to build one of these :thumb:

Amen to the thorough documentation! Although, I think Phrasty is giving me to many build ideas!

[Phrasty]

LOL... just a few more tack welds shouldn't hurt.

Tack/link.... tack/link... tack/link... tack/link... ouch!

LOL yah that wasn't as fun as I had hoped... :doh::heh:

this project is coming along great. your thorough documentation is well appreciated here as someday i hope to build one of these :thumb:

Thanks a lot dealm9... Happy to help.

Cheers

[Phrasty]

Can you guess what these are? (probably pretty obvious!) :heh:
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a84/phrasty/7d80da4d.jpg

This build seems to be a bit time consuming in the details... might have to rethink all those little details if I wanna ever get done! :wink:

Thats it for now... :thumb:
Cheers

[LoneStarMojo]

The details will distinguish this cooker from all others! Most of us have seen a smoker build and sure they all vary a bit....but this one is the bomb!

[NapalmRunner]

Mad skillz!

[stephan]

I dont know I guess its me, I think you guys that build your own pits are awesome, you got some mad welding skills to say the least. Love the thread and pics.

[mtbchip]

Can you guess what these are? (probably pretty obvious!) :heh:
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a84/phrasty/7d80da4d.jpg

This build seems to be a bit time consuming in the details... might have to rethink all those little details if I wanna ever get done! :wink:

Thats it for now... :thumb:
Cheers

Your skills grab me. You really have a handle on things! Come on over to San Diego. I'll make ya some LowSoCal BBQ while you make one for me!

BOO yah BBQ brutha!

[Chad J]

Great detail work!

[Phrasty]

I haven't had ANY time to work on my pit leading up to the holidays but I got a little time to fiddle around with it today. I mounted on the handles and I started Working on some better hinges. The set that was on there was royally pissing me off in terms of door alignment. They were too thin for the heavy door, so I'm beefing them up a bit.

Here's the handles:
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a84/phrasty/2011%20Build/d315a624.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a84/phrasty/2011%20Build/7bafeb29.jpg

and here's the basic design of the new hinges. Just have to cut, bend & weld tomorrow or thursday.
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a84/phrasty/2011%20Build/a2b7cb73.jpg

Here's the current resting position: :heh:
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a84/phrasty/2011%20Build/82a984ea.jpg

And on a side note my wonderful wife gave me a farkin cool, spankin new auto darkening welding helmet for Christmas and it works like a dream! "Night & Day" if you will... :becky:
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a84/phrasty/2011%20Build/554f1f5b.jpg

Well that's it for now. I'll more than likely have some more to show Thursday night. Planning on getting a bit of steel too! :thumb:

Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!
Cheers

[tish]

Lovin' the handles, Phrasty! Where'd you get an idea like that??

[Black Dog BBQ]

After reading about all the stuff you have been cooking I'm surprised you have the time to work on your cooker! Looking good!

[speers90]

Your handles are awesome! I bet that auto darkening helmet is awesome too. I keep telling myself to get one.

[speers90]

What size is the unequal leg angle that you used to make up the hinge? Also, what diameter is the round bar?

[vance237]

where do you guys source your tanks from and how much do you typically pay? I found one around here, but the guy wants $250 for it and it's 400 gallons, waaaaayyyyy more than I want or need....

[Phrasty]

Lovin' the handles, Phrasty! Where'd you get an idea like that??

You know I can;t remember how it popped into my head... I think it was when I was walking the hardware store.. :heh: That's where these things usually happen.

After reading about all the stuff you have been cooking I'm surprised you have the time to work on your cooker! Looking good!

Yeah I took a day to recoup... :heh: Well needed rest! :thumb:

What size is the unequal leg angle that you used to make up the hinge? Also, what diameter is the round bar?

The bar is 3/8ths and I just placed the bar in the angled iron and took a straight edge to it to see where I needed to trim. Cant tell you a size right now... It was basically cut to fit.

where do you guys source your tanks from and how much do you typically pay? I found one around here, but the guy wants $250 for it and it's 400 gallons, waaaaayyyyy more than I want or need....

I think that guy's asking WAY too much for it. Look around. I'm sure you'll be able to find better deals. As well as a 400 gallon tank is pretty big. Do you need one that big?

Cheers

[vance237]

I think that guy's asking WAY too much for it. Look around. I'm sure you'll be able to find better deals. As well as a 400 gallon tank is pretty big. Do you need one that big?

Cheers[/QUOTE]

Thats kinda what I thought, and yes, 400 gallons is WAY too big, more than I'll ever need. I like the size of yours, where did you find that? Trying now to find an old air compressor tank, but dang their expensive LOL

[Phrasty]

After reading about all the stuff you have been cooking I'm surprised you have the time to work on your cooker! Looking good!

What size is the unequal leg angle that you used to make up the hinge? Also, what diameter is the round bar?

I think that guy's asking WAY too much for it. Look around. I'm sure you'll be able to find better deals. As well as a 400 gallon tank is pretty big. Do you need one that big?

Cheers

Thats kinda what I thought, and yes, 400 gallons is WAY too big, more than I'll ever need. I like the size of yours, where did you find that? Trying now to find an old air compressor tank, but dang their expensive LOL[/QUOTE]

Found mine in a run down mechanic shop... so It was more luck than anything. But check propane suppliers they might be willing to let go a "compromised" take for cheap.

Cheers

[Phrasty]

had to go in to the office today but I got to work on it for about an hour when I got home. I got a little further on the new hinges... Shaped the 3/8 bars and attached the rod supports. Looking to finish this up and get through a little more.

Warmed up the bar a "little" to shape it to the cylinder after bending it 90˚.
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a84/phrasty/2011%20Build/2ddf53f4.jpg

The attached hinge:
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a84/phrasty/2011%20Build/f8a41d8e.jpg

Layed out on the smoker. Have to attach them to the door tomorrow.
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a84/phrasty/2011%20Build/6f08ee24.jpg

Well that's it for tonight. Should have something more to report back with tomorrow night if all goes well.

Cheers

[speers90]

I really like the new hinges!

[Phrasty]

Thanks Ryan, they definitely feel better!

Cheers

[Phrasty]

So I got a bit more done today... Didn't have too much time to spend on it and the build is going a little slower that I'd like. Such is life. Just like the last build the thing that's holding me up the most is getting the 1/4 steel for the firebox. I think I'm going to have to bite the bullet and buy it. Can't seem to find any better options.

Anyways, I finished the door seals and the new hinges. So much better for the heavy door! Now the smoker feels "SOLID".

Had to tack on the top seal and reheat the 3/8 bar and "persuade" them into their shape over the top seal and back onto the door. Happy with how they came out!
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a84/phrasty/2011%20Build/ce8ee165.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a84/phrasty/2011%20Build/f1464e35.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a84/phrasty/2011%20Build/b4c502ea.jpg

Now I've been thinking about the exhaust and I wouldn't mind some thoughts from you guys... This tank came with 2 sealed off holes at about 12" in from either side. I am going to have tunable plates in this pit like the last on and my thinking was that I was just gonna use these holes for the exhaust so that I can tune the pit to run as pretty-much a reg offset or I could also run it as a reverse flow by moving all the plates towards the FB and tuning the exhaust so that the majority of the heat would exit out of the stack nearest the FB as well... I'd do this by shutting down the stack furthest from the FB...

Here are the holes I'm talking about:
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a84/phrasty/2011%20Build/d61dd391.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a84/phrasty/2011%20Build/53c2b4f2.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a84/phrasty/2011%20Build/3000b0bb.jpg

So whaddya think bout that? Any pros/cons you guys can think of? I think it could possibly work out pretty cool. :thumb:

Cheers

[James Montigny]

Go big or go home :D

[DaveMW]

I wish I had the welding knowledge to make a cooker like this. Nicely done so far.

[speers90]

So whaddya think bout that? Any pros/cons you guys can think of? I think it could possibly work out pretty cool. :thumb:



I think that will work just fine and the height of those holes in comparison to your racks is just about perfect!

[MoyMch]

Looks good I can't wait to see the finished product.

[Randbo]

I think you are doing great so far!! As far as the double stack idea I think you could try it but my guess is you will never open the one on the far end away from the fire box. With that in mind I would proceed with the fire box and the tuning plates then the exhaust at the fire box end for a reverse flow. Test fire it and see how it works. Then if you still think it could be advantageous I would add the exhaust at the far end as a last step .My 2 cents. Keep up the great work!!!!!:clap2::clap2::clap2: