UDS build

[bstomper]

Since I cant find the post I already started on this build, I will start another. My buddy and I are building 4 UDS's one each for ourselves and one each for friends. between the 4 there will be 3 different air intake systems. One will be just your basic ball valve intake with a flat lid. Two will have a slide type intake and a flat lid and a domed lid. Mine will have an even different intake and a domed lid. Three of them will be set up with 2 cooking grates, cold smoking fitting, and lots of air flow to help get the temps up for pizza.
Here is whats done so far.

My buddy doing the bad job
http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab46/blstomper/Cool%20pics/68F239D3-7B4B-4AD6-AACD-3A970E84BA9F_zpsrgpjuz3b.jpg (http://s848.photobucket.com/user/blstomper/media/Cool%20pics/68F239D3-7B4B-4AD6-AACD-3A970E84BA9F_zpsrgpjuz3b.jpg.html)

Making the exhaust for the flat lids out of 1/8" stainless with 1 1/8" holes
http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab46/blstomper/Cool%20pics/9F746F6B-5215-46B2-9E7B-C2207758549E_zps9upbgp8k.jpg (http://s848.photobucket.com/user/blstomper/media/Cool%20pics/9F746F6B-5215-46B2-9E7B-C2207758549E_zps9upbgp8k.jpg.html)


http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab46/blstomper/Cool%20pics/909F2D6F-A9DD-4EE1-9F89-44EF6CB9B287_zpsbkwbet0c.jpg (http://s848.photobucket.com/user/blstomper/media/Cool%20pics/909F2D6F-A9DD-4EE1-9F89-44EF6CB9B287_zpsbkwbet0c.jpg.html)


I am waiting for my bigger step drill bit to finish drilling the hole in the lid
http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab46/blstomper/Cool%20pics/63D08458-9FE7-4D46-8047-E8B448201BC8_zpsxpt0dbhw.jpg (http://s848.photobucket.com/user/blstomper/media/Cool%20pics/63D08458-9FE7-4D46-8047-E8B448201BC8_zpsxpt0dbhw.jpg.html)

Air intake on two of them. Those are going to be 1 1/8" holes. Waiting for the same bit to finish these also
http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab46/blstomper/Cool%20pics/A54B4355-7537-4C6F-8C05-C685D0A7A6B0_zpsvmotorcm.jpg (http://s848.photobucket.com/user/blstomper/media/Cool%20pics/A54B4355-7537-4C6F-8C05-C685D0A7A6B0_zpsvmotorcm.jpg.html)

My intake for my drum with 1 1/4"
http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab46/blstomper/Cool%20pics/3C6A797B-2267-4DCA-8CDD-1B21A4E5667D_zpsampg6a60.jpg (http://s848.photobucket.com/user/blstomper/media/Cool%20pics/3C6A797B-2267-4DCA-8CDD-1B21A4E5667D_zpsampg6a60.jpg.html)

Closed
http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab46/blstomper/Cool%20pics/6676DF88-FCAA-4C07-9F5D-C1E9657F83DE_zpshzeak5pi.jpg (http://s848.photobucket.com/user/blstomper/media/Cool%20pics/6676DF88-FCAA-4C07-9F5D-C1E9657F83DE_zpshzeak5pi.jpg.html)

Open
http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab46/blstomper/Cool%20pics/85EA9B55-E034-4CE6-ACB0-62CBA618E2B1_zpsdrtmjsfu.jpg (http://s848.photobucket.com/user/blstomper/media/Cool%20pics/85EA9B55-E034-4CE6-ACB0-62CBA618E2B1_zpsdrtmjsfu.jpg.html)

http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab46/blstomper/Cool%20pics/96D65F6A-2C4C-451A-A0D8-7C282A1138DA_zpsr1u4ebko.jpg (http://s848.photobucket.com/user/blstomper/media/Cool%20pics/96D65F6A-2C4C-451A-A0D8-7C282A1138DA_zpsr1u4ebko.jpg.html)

All 4 drums as of right now
http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab46/blstomper/Cool%20pics/0ED88028-3AA4-4090-AA16-E33CEFB2EEBA_zpsqmzkfeth.jpg (http://s848.photobucket.com/user/blstomper/media/Cool%20pics/0ED88028-3AA4-4090-AA16-E33CEFB2EEBA_zpsqmzkfeth.jpg.html)

parts
http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab46/blstomper/Cool%20pics/14BEB13F-54AB-4076-AA35-AAF91D6CE68B_zpsvrhy1mcj.jpg (http://s848.photobucket.com/user/blstomper/media/Cool%20pics/14BEB13F-54AB-4076-AA35-AAF91D6CE68B_zpsvrhy1mcj.jpg.html)

[Bbq Bubba]

Outstanding!

[CambuiAl]

Looking good - will be really interesting to hear how the different inlets and exhausts work in terms of controlling the temps.

[bstomper]

Thanks. I am also interested in seeing how the intakes perform

[Fwismoker]

Love it!! Exhaust holes are 1 1/8 " holes each? Good luck and keep us updated!

[DUBBAGA]

Excellent work, looking forward to following your progress

Here was your initial thread: http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?p=3117386#post3117386

[TexasRT]

Nice job, looks like a UDS buffet.

[ebijack]

Nice! Keep the photos and results coming!

[bstomper]

Thanks guys. Hoping to get back at them on the week end.

[bo_b_q]

I clicked thinking I'd see one UDS being built...then there are four! Day made!

Love the different layouts...always interesting to see what people come up with on a UDS.

[BigBobBQ]

those are going to be some fancy drums.

[bstomper]

I haven"t had much time to work on these things Other than what seemed like days and days (actually was days) of wire wheel buffing my 2 barrels out, but they are down to bare metal now. my buddy did his earlier. I have the one that I am building for a friend done and ready for paint. It is the standard 3 ball valve UDS nothing special. I have my air intake tacked on and will finish welding it tomorrow. I will get some pictures for tomorrow.

[bstomper]

Ok here are the pictures that I promised. I had some issues with the air intake on my drum. Everything was fine until I welded it on. The heat from the welding pulled the face of it where the slide rides and warped it so he slide didn't fit flat. I was even careful when I welded it and just tacked small sections and let it cool before continuing to weld but the thin barrel metal still warped and pulled it. So, I cut it off, straightened it out and took a different approach to welding it on. Once the face of it was flat and straight again I welded a heavy piece of angle to the face to keep it from pulling again and followed the same tacking procedure for welding. Once it was cool. I removed the angle and things worked out the way I wanted this time. BTW don't look at my crappy welds. It's a bit tricky welding this thin stuff. I'm used to thicker stuff.

with the angle in place
http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab46/blstomper/Cool%20pics/A37D49F9-D16A-4A96-BE11-A0D457D0ADA0_zpsxrb7do6a.jpg (http://s848.photobucket.com/user/blstomper/media/Cool%20pics/A37D49F9-D16A-4A96-BE11-A0D457D0ADA0_zpsxrb7do6a.jpg.html)

http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab46/blstomper/Cool%20pics/183266BC-798B-422A-8229-8EAB8C0C9CCF_zpsgpynsaoc.jpg (http://s848.photobucket.com/user/blstomper/media/Cool%20pics/183266BC-798B-422A-8229-8EAB8C0C9CCF_zpsgpynsaoc.jpg.html)

Everything sitting in place and working fine. Next....paint
http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab46/blstomper/Cool%20pics/D81BFA3B-98A4-4ADD-929B-8B16AD2B796F_zps9u0ukaaj.jpg (http://s848.photobucket.com/user/blstomper/media/Cool%20pics/D81BFA3B-98A4-4ADD-929B-8B16AD2B796F_zps9u0ukaaj.jpg.html)

I had to paint all the parts prior to tacking the small frame to the intake so that everything was coated to prevent rusting. This way the interior sections of the parts are painted. Once the paint dries I will tack it together. You will see what I mean in upcoming posts.
http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab46/blstomper/Cool%20pics/478C583D-A14F-4A3C-B7AD-964B21852525_zpslpt7ydfd.jpg (http://s848.photobucket.com/user/blstomper/media/Cool%20pics/478C583D-A14F-4A3C-B7AD-964B21852525_zpslpt7ydfd.jpg.html)

http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab46/blstomper/Cool%20pics/5E213F1B-E49F-43F3-8E06-8FDED26ECA27_zpszddowfzs.jpg (http://s848.photobucket.com/user/blstomper/media/Cool%20pics/5E213F1B-E49F-43F3-8E06-8FDED26ECA27_zpszddowfzs.jpg.html)

I found a little brother for the four barrels. Guess what my next project is?
http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab46/blstomper/Cool%20pics/32FC5ADF-0B2E-461C-8B40-DBAE5016EA58_zps7ru9b8ul.jpg (http://s848.photobucket.com/user/blstomper/media/Cool%20pics/32FC5ADF-0B2E-461C-8B40-DBAE5016EA58_zps7ru9b8ul.jpg.html)

This is the one I am making for a friend. It's done and waiting for paint.
http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab46/blstomper/Cool%20pics/EEF1D6AD-61D6-4FA2-A75E-E8336E5E725E_zpsihudjel3.jpg (http://s848.photobucket.com/user/blstomper/media/Cool%20pics/EEF1D6AD-61D6-4FA2-A75E-E8336E5E725E_zpsihudjel3.jpg.html)

I start days off tomorrow and I hope to have my two barrels done and painted with in a few days. My buddy has a bit more work to do to his two.

[Sfine118]

Awesome! Looks great!

[mikemci]

You do nice work! I like the angle iron trick you used to keep the drum from warping :thumb: That's dedication to wire wheel all the exterior paint too, I just used a weed burner on mine.

[bstomper]

Thanks. I used a weed burner also but then I wire wheeled it also. They are definately clean

[SmokerKing]

Save yourself a ton of time and welding.

Once you have spot welded your intake vents into place and instead of completely welding the seams, simply fill the seams with Rutland fire resistant black RTV.

I did complete seam welds on my first UDS, what a PIA. Now I just spot weld and fill the seams with RTV. I tape off the area and apply the RTV. Let is dry and pull the tape, nice straight seam fill. I've built several over the past few years and the RTV is still holding and sealing.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/912/qs2v28.jpg

[bstomper]

I had to modify the hinges from the donor Q. They didn't fit with the way this barrel is necked down. Also put a second coat of paint on the intake parts. Just have to weld on my nipple for my cold smoker and it is ready for paint.

You can see that on the stock bracket that the holes just don't match up, so I had to improvise again
http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab46/blstomper/Cool%20pics/1DD93DF8-38E3-441D-A9A6-6D2347BF0B8C_zpsg3mlwyqw.jpg (http://s848.photobucket.com/user/blstomper/media/Cool%20pics/1DD93DF8-38E3-441D-A9A6-6D2347BF0B8C_zpsg3mlwyqw.jpg.html)

finished hinge closed

http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab46/blstomper/Cool%20pics/5AE6E788-B176-44C8-978C-9F7E389760C6_zpsoh8pdi78.jpg (http://s848.photobucket.com/user/blstomper/media/Cool%20pics/5AE6E788-B176-44C8-978C-9F7E389760C6_zpsoh8pdi78.jpg.html)

open

http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab46/blstomper/Cool%20pics/193BEBFC-19A4-4D9B-BC5F-ACB73DEC98C9_zpsozqqfms3.jpg (http://s848.photobucket.com/user/blstomper/media/Cool%20pics/193BEBFC-19A4-4D9B-BC5F-ACB73DEC98C9_zpsozqqfms3.jpg.html)

http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab46/blstomper/Cool%20pics/9E1B25EA-AFD3-465B-A785-BD30E1ACD26B_zpsid0la3fy.jpg (http://s848.photobucket.com/user/blstomper/media/Cool%20pics/9E1B25EA-AFD3-465B-A785-BD30E1ACD26B_zpsid0la3fy.jpg.html)

Don't know if I want to go with the extra rack or not. I can always install it later

http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab46/blstomper/Cool%20pics/C1534797-954D-4B18-B113-E242260AB831_zps85pk8mkr.jpg (http://s848.photobucket.com/user/blstomper/media/Cool%20pics/C1534797-954D-4B18-B113-E242260AB831_zps85pk8mkr.jpg.html)

[bstomper]

Got 3 of them ready for paint and just waiting for the 4th. Gonna try to get the mini done also but I'll have to see how it goes. Whipped up a few charcoal baskets yesterday

http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab46/blstomper/Cool%20pics/5DF8C207-FFA1-4DF2-B7CD-F616958AAF41_zpspbwao3xv.jpg (http://s848.photobucket.com/user/blstomper/media/Cool%20pics/5DF8C207-FFA1-4DF2-B7CD-F616958AAF41_zpspbwao3xv.jpg.html)

[bstomper]

I had some time to get the mini done and will be seasoning it tomorrow for my first trial run. I put two cooking rack in this also so that I could double up on a rib cook if I wanted. I only have one rack right now. I need to pick up one more ball valve also. Next is to paint the full size ones

http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab46/blstomper/Cool%20pics/25079287-FDE3-4E9C-9D6B-FDACFD8928E5_zps1cdzowge.jpg (http://s848.photobucket.com/user/blstomper/media/Cool%20pics/25079287-FDE3-4E9C-9D6B-FDACFD8928E5_zps1cdzowge.jpg.html)

http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab46/blstomper/Cool%20pics/CB00F39F-5EBE-4525-84F1-ACE8D96EF4CD_zpsrgp5pynv.jpg (http://s848.photobucket.com/user/blstomper/media/Cool%20pics/CB00F39F-5EBE-4525-84F1-ACE8D96EF4CD_zpsrgp5pynv.jpg.html)

http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab46/blstomper/Cool%20pics/FD03450F-93E0-41A9-ACE4-1AD52812EA95_zpswr3puam9.jpg (http://s848.photobucket.com/user/blstomper/media/Cool%20pics/FD03450F-93E0-41A9-ACE4-1AD52812EA95_zpswr3puam9.jpg.html)

http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab46/blstomper/Cool%20pics/DEE19ED5-25B6-465A-BAB7-87F3EFA2279B_zpshecocp3j.jpg (http://s848.photobucket.com/user/blstomper/media/Cool%20pics/DEE19ED5-25B6-465A-BAB7-87F3EFA2279B_zpshecocp3j.jpg.html)

[bstomper]

Well got the mini seasoning and I am happy so far. I installed 3 half inch intakes and am using the stock lid exhaust which consists of 4 half inch holes. With everything wide open I it 375* in -16c outside temps. I'm happy with that. Looks like it was a successful build.
Will be painting the 4 full size ones tomorrow night with a seasonings of them the next day

http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab46/blstomper/Cool%20pics/C74A59E0-18CE-4EDD-8D79-650726E3DA11_zpsodjnpfmy.jpg (http://s848.photobucket.com/user/blstomper/media/Cool%20pics/C74A59E0-18CE-4EDD-8D79-650726E3DA11_zpsodjnpfmy.jpg.html)

http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab46/blstomper/Cool%20pics/5EFDA855-0307-4E8C-B2CD-8E7243301DDD_zpspr3gt9wl.jpg (http://s848.photobucket.com/user/blstomper/media/Cool%20pics/5EFDA855-0307-4E8C-B2CD-8E7243301DDD_zpspr3gt9wl.jpg.html)

[bstomper]

Been seasoning for 3 hours now at around 350ish so I decided to help it out with a little extra. Split up some diamond willow chunks and threw some chops on with a bit of cavenders spice.

http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab46/blstomper/Cool%20pics/3D83B5BD-5EC0-4104-A3E8-D788404BFDFA_zpstheajxsp.jpg (http://s848.photobucket.com/user/blstomper/media/Cool%20pics/3D83B5BD-5EC0-4104-A3E8-D788404BFDFA_zpstheajxsp.jpg.html)

http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab46/blstomper/Cool%20pics/474337D4-5218-429C-8163-AC81AA9E56BD_zpsrqlxvmns.jpg (http://s848.photobucket.com/user/blstomper/media/Cool%20pics/474337D4-5218-429C-8163-AC81AA9E56BD_zpsrqlxvmns.jpg.html)

[mchar69]

OH YEAH! Those chops are probably gone by now! Nice builds.
As far as WIND and that hinged lid, gotta watch it. Could blow over.

[Happy Hapgood]

Very nice builds all the way around! Thanks for posting.

[bstomper]

The end result. I pretty much grilled them hot and fast instead of a slow smoke but I am impressed with this little guy none the less. It is so easy to use that I will be using it lots for smaller cook. Been going for 3.5 hours now at 350 with half of a basket of charcoal left. On a low temp smoke I'm sure I could get 6-8 hours easy.

http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab46/blstomper/Cool%20pics/4E885191-1942-4D41-A076-EC8DA7989454_zpsfh9m4pwq.jpg (http://s848.photobucket.com/user/blstomper/media/Cool%20pics/4E885191-1942-4D41-A076-EC8DA7989454_zpsfh9m4pwq.jpg.html)

[THoey1963]

Looks great! And the UDS's aren't bad either...

[bstomper]

OH YEAH! Those chops are probably gone by now! Nice builds.
As far as WIND and that hinged lid, gotta watch it. Could blow over.

Yep should have been 12 instead of 6. Good point about the lid but I should be ok as I like in a very sheltered area

With 2 ball valves open it hold steady at 305

[bstomper]

Haven't had much time to work on the smokers but I got one of the ones I was building done and delivered to it's owner. Mine is still waiting for paint and my buddy has been having some issues with the function of his intake slides.
Here is the drums with slides in question. When they were installed for the initial fit up they worked perfect. slid real easy and looked nice and clean on the barrel. They were riveted on and then removed for the painting of the barrel. After paint they were riveted on again and for what ever reason we could not stop them from binding. We got the one close but he was not 100% happy so we removed them and he is building intakes like I have on my barrel. I think that the edges of the stationary peice had gotten pinched too tight with the second riveting because we used an air riveter and it sucks the rivets in real tight. Don't really know, but it doesn't matter as they are garbage now. . So thats where we sit with the smokers right now.
http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab46/blstomper/Cool%20pics/A54B4355-7537-4C6F-8C05-C685D0A7A6B0_zpsvmotorcm.jpg (http://s848.photobucket.com/user/blstomper/media/Cool%20pics/A54B4355-7537-4C6F-8C05-C685D0A7A6B0_zpsvmotorcm.jpg.html)

Here is the only done smoker and i delivered it to the customer yesterday. He was super happy. I must admit I was impressed with it myself.
http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab46/blstomper/Cool%20pics/2565F2FC-690B-4046-BFBE-0987FB79CB03_zpsubnpojea.jpg (http://s848.photobucket.com/user/blstomper/media/Cool%20pics/2565F2FC-690B-4046-BFBE-0987FB79CB03_zpsubnpojea.jpg.html)

http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab46/blstomper/Cool%20pics/069AD5CB-5EE1-44AD-967A-31D2F45764B0_zpsm1uixv6q.jpg (http://s848.photobucket.com/user/blstomper/media/Cool%20pics/069AD5CB-5EE1-44AD-967A-31D2F45764B0_zpsm1uixv6q.jpg.html)

http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab46/blstomper/Cool%20pics/85E30F4A-8C2C-40B8-B091-2D0E9A063962_zps7vzkmeg8.jpg (http://s848.photobucket.com/user/blstomper/media/Cool%20pics/85E30F4A-8C2C-40B8-B091-2D0E9A063962_zps7vzkmeg8.jpg.html)

[ebijack]

With the long radius you have with the slider, it doesn't take much at all to stop it from working correctly. Looks like you were using pop rivets before going to the solid rivets. Definite difference in tension. Also were all holes deburred? Did you radius the front edge of the slider? A sharp edge will stop that sucker from sliding. You could add a thin aluminum shim plate between the holed plate on the drum and the outside cover ( not around the holes) to give added gap/slide space that should not leak air. Just an idea.

[bstomper]

Yeah we tried the shim idea but it still wasn't perfect. Everything was deburred also. I agree that it is a long slide though. Oh well we scrapped that idea anyway.

[Deltaboy]

Cool Build.

[bstomper]

Well I finaly got mine done and seasoned it today. I'm quite happy with it so far. The lid fits the drum perfect but the exhaust doesn't close up tight. Wonder if that will cause a problem with shutting it down. With all the vents wide open it hit 550F in -24C (-11F)temperatures. I wanted the higher temp so that I could cook pizza. I don't think I should have a problem with that, especialy in the summer. I used rustoleum engine paint that is good to 2000* and cured it the best I could according to the instructions but I am still disappointed in it. I can scrape it off with my finger nail. Not sure what I have to do to get paint to stick. I'm going to do a cook this weekend to see how well the intake will control the heat, hopefully it works well. I just realized that I don't have any pictures of the finished product but I do have some to prove my temps.
http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab46/blstomper/Cool%20pics/594E5741-41DE-4E7D-A7C5-A189EC950B20_zps8rhuinnc.jpg (http://s848.photobucket.com/user/blstomper/media/Cool%20pics/594E5741-41DE-4E7D-A7C5-A189EC950B20_zps8rhuinnc.jpg.html)

http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab46/blstomper/Cool%20pics/473E4FFC-4C3E-4996-9121-31CF457B2138_zpsi2q4fa0s.jpg (http://s848.photobucket.com/user/blstomper/media/Cool%20pics/473E4FFC-4C3E-4996-9121-31CF457B2138_zpsi2q4fa0s.jpg.html)

http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab46/blstomper/Cool%20pics/C5D43879-D24E-4851-A8C1-B522AB67E366_zpscegoh0ry.jpg (http://s848.photobucket.com/user/blstomper/media/Cool%20pics/C5D43879-D24E-4851-A8C1-B522AB67E366_zpscegoh0ry.jpg.html)

[ttix]

Nice! Keep the photos and results coming!

This please!

[ebijack]

I haven't found an imperfect sealing exhaust affects putting out the coals. I'd bet your fine there.

[bstomper]

Well I had some time cooking on this thing and I am not as happy with the intake as I thought I would be. It is a pain to use. The operation is easy but it's hard to control the temps. With my old UDS I could leave the exhaust wide open and control everything easily with the ball valves. Not the case with the slide action. I could shut everything down on my old one and it would be cool to the touch in about 15-20 minutes. This one takes about an hour the drop temperature and is still warm and that's at -25c. Gets a bit tough on the charcoal use. I guess it will need some getting used to. You just can't beat the simplicity and function if the ball valves. Function over looks