cmwr
03-04-2015, 06:56 PM
I have built 4 UDS to my credit. My last one had 2 one inch ball valves sticking straight out of the bottom on close nipples about 2/3 apart around the barrel. http://i1338.photobucket.com/albums/o681/vaquero57/13984556942410_zps9jvg0blj.jpg (http://s1338.photobucket.com/user/vaquero57/media/13984556942410_zps9jvg0blj.jpg.html)
Here's a more detailed explanation. In the original UDS plans I followed 3 years ago when I built my first one it called for two 3/4 flat washers on the 3/4" nipples, one on the inside and one on the outside to reinforce the thin steel of the drum. So because I used 2 one inch balls on this last UDS I had to settle for thin guage romex washers as I could not find heavy flats big enough anywhere (1 3/8" opening) .
Every time I would go to use my smoker and I would go to crack open one of the balls, I could see the sidewall of the drum flex. I noticed the valves had a little stickage upon opening. I got nervous that over time this would fatigue the metal and cause it to crack so I removed them and put stainless slider draft doors on this baby.
Ok fast forward to today. A buddy of mine has commissioned me to build him a UDS. I got all this left over stuff laying around and I would like to put these 2 nearly new ball valves to good use but once again I am concerned of the issue. Has anyone used larger ball valves on close nipples on a drum without heavy reinforcement washers and experienced metal cracking later down the road? Am I worrying about nothing? Larger ball valves just have more friction upon opening than smaller ones and require more torque to get started. By the way.....before anyone comments otherwise, I am a fan of too much intake rather than not enough.
Here's a more detailed explanation. In the original UDS plans I followed 3 years ago when I built my first one it called for two 3/4 flat washers on the 3/4" nipples, one on the inside and one on the outside to reinforce the thin steel of the drum. So because I used 2 one inch balls on this last UDS I had to settle for thin guage romex washers as I could not find heavy flats big enough anywhere (1 3/8" opening) .
Every time I would go to use my smoker and I would go to crack open one of the balls, I could see the sidewall of the drum flex. I noticed the valves had a little stickage upon opening. I got nervous that over time this would fatigue the metal and cause it to crack so I removed them and put stainless slider draft doors on this baby.
Ok fast forward to today. A buddy of mine has commissioned me to build him a UDS. I got all this left over stuff laying around and I would like to put these 2 nearly new ball valves to good use but once again I am concerned of the issue. Has anyone used larger ball valves on close nipples on a drum without heavy reinforcement washers and experienced metal cracking later down the road? Am I worrying about nothing? Larger ball valves just have more friction upon opening than smaller ones and require more torque to get started. By the way.....before anyone comments otherwise, I am a fan of too much intake rather than not enough.