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jgh1204 10-06-2007 11:53 AM

Just completed my 2nd UDS. Going to give it to a friend of mine. Here are the materials I used. These instructions are for the non-metal working capable among us(me included).

4 - ¼" x 3.5" stainless steel partially threaded carriage bolts
8 - ¼" stainless steel nuts
These hold the grate.
22" Replacement grate from Academy - $5.99

Charcoal bowl from academy - $4.99(Punched a bunch of holes in this with the step bit)

4 - ½" x 6" black pipe nipple
4 - ½" black pipe caps
8- ½" locking nuts for conduit - steel, not galvanized.
These provide air flow and hold the charcoal bowl

Used a step bit to cut the holes for the pipe. About 3" from the bottom. Used ¼" drill bit to drill the carriage bolt holes about 27" from the bottom

This barrel had to have the lid cut off and I am using the lid from my first UDS as the lid for this one. On my first UDS, I use my weber kettle lid.

This barrel was brand new and had no interior coating, so no need for a burn out. I may hit it with the weed burner just to make sure.

I left the original paint on the outside, I think it will be fine. If it starts to peel, I will let my buddy handle that one.

In the lid, I punched four ½" holes and inserted SS hole caps.

Norcoredneck 10-06-2007 12:13 PM

If anybody has to use hardware with a coating try putting it in muratic acid (pool acid) it will eat it off. Rinse good with water. It will rust quickly so be prepared to put pam or cooking oil on it.

jgh1204 10-06-2007 12:37 PM

Just got to try out my new weed burner. Cool stuff. Hope the no eyebrow look is in.

BBQ101 10-07-2007 11:25 AM

:-D Ok I am hooked. I just finished painting my UDS and fired it up to season it. I used 1 1/4 schedule 40 black gas pipe one for stack one for air control. The reason I did this was so I could hook up my Stoker to the UDS. Well its working just fine. Ramped it up to 250 in about 15 minutes. Decided to go hotter so I kicked it up to 300. It took about 10 minutes to get it up to 300. Ok so I decided to knock it back down to 250 that took about 15 minute.
:wink: I also added a 1 1/4 ball valve to use when I do not use the Stoker. I have to tell you this has been a fun project for not a lot of money. The schedule 40 1 1/4 ball valve was the most expensive piece at $22. I will post pics as soon as I get another Digi Camera.
:eusa_clap Great thread and thanks to all the Farkers who added there ideas on the UDS.

Norcoredneck 10-07-2007 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmarley5780 (Post 474436)
One more question: What is the best tool to cut barrels up?

grinder
air nibbler
reciprocating saw?

Plasma cutter :biggrin:

MT4Runner 10-07-2007 01:46 PM

Quote:

plasma cutter
If you don't know what's been in the barrel, and you're using plas or a gas axe, fill the barrel with exhaust fumes from your car or purge it with your MIG welder shield gas--CO2 or C25.

(ASSuming if you have a plasma, you probably have or have access to a MIG!)

Norcoredneck 10-07-2007 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MT4Runner (Post 475456)
If you don't know what's been in the barrel, and you're using plas or a gas axe, fill the barrel with exhaust fumes from your car or purge it with your MIG welder shield gas--CO2 or C25.

(ASSuming if you have a plasma, you probably have or have access to a MIG!)

What fun is that? :twisted:

tntitan 10-10-2007 03:29 PM

hey roger this is the thread i told you about enjoy if you need any info call me

SmokeWatcher 10-13-2007 10:34 AM

Alrighty....after reading the entire thread, I'm stoked and ready to find a barrel and whatever parts I need to get my own UDS project going. WOOHOO!!

Single Fin Smoker 10-13-2007 11:09 AM

I'm gonna try to give mine a paint job and beer bottle opener today. Hopefully posting pics tonite.

motley que 10-13-2007 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Single Fin Smoker (Post 479144)
I'm gonna try to give mine a paint job and beer bottle opener today. Hopefully posting pics tonite.

motley que mod..

tntitan 10-13-2007 11:33 AM

i am making my second one right now

Single Fin Smoker 10-13-2007 12:18 PM

Im off to HD!

MT4Runner 10-21-2007 09:26 PM

My first UDS:
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/f...ers/UDS001.jpg

I scored a Weber kettle off Craigslist in Clarkston, WA on Thursday, and a barrel from work on Wednesday. Started this yesterday.

The Barrel:
Here's a great idea to cut the top off. Flip the barrel over so what you want for your top sits on a smooth floor--preferably concrete. Hold your mini angle grinder so the guard sits on the floor. This will hold a cutting disc about 1/4" off the floor....or 1/4" down on the ring. Grind through the outer layer of lid all the way around the drum. Flip it back over, and you have a smooth, level cut, without having to buy a drum deheader or building a jig. Tap upward on the lid with an old screwdriver and a mallet and drive it off the barrel.

Torched the bottom holes with the plasma.

Burned the barrel last night. Not enough air gets in the bottom holes to get a really hot fire. I noticed that by tipping the barrel over at a ~30º angle, the fresh air comes in the low side, and the flame/heat runs up the high side, and lets the paint on the inside blister in 5-10 minutes. Roll the barrel around after it blisters where it's at, and in 1/2 hour, you can get heat to all sides.

Hit the barrel with a knotted wire wheel in my 4.5" angle grinder (4.5" angle grinders are on sale at Harbor Freight right now for $16.99. Get the orange ones; I've been beating on mine for a year, and it's still going strong. It's noisier than my DeWalt, but 20% the price.)

Some paint wasn't all the way off, so I hit that with my oxy-acetylene torch, and the remaining paint came right off.

Cut 1.25" x 1.25" x 0.125 (1 1/4 x 1 1 /4" x 1/8") angle into 2" pieces. Welded them inside the drum.
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/f...ers/UDS005.jpg

The Grill:
Used the one from my Weber donor. Duh! :D
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/f...ers/UDS002.jpg

Still need a second grill. Here's the first in the lower spot.
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/f...ers/UDS003.jpg

The Charcoal Basket:
Used the charcoal grate from my Weber grill; welded 3" tall 1/2" pipe legs to the grill. Set the legs so they'd fit through the ash pan from the Weber grill. Still needs sides.

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/f...ers/UDS004.jpg
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/f...ers/UDS007.jpg
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/f...ers/UDS006.jpg

Needs barrel handles and a thermometer.
Will oil the inside tomorrow.

Still trying to decide whether to oil or paint the outside. Kettle lid is a nice charcoal black.

Mark 10-22-2007 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MT4Runner (Post 483787)
Hit the barrel with a knotted wire wheel in my 4.5" angle grinder (4.5" angle grinders are on sale at Harbor Freight right now for $16.99. Get the orange ones; I've been beating on mine for a year, and it's still going strong. It's noisier than my DeWalt, but 20% the price.).

The 7.5" orange grinder with the built-in hand guard is the one I got. Well worth a little more $ for a lot more value.

Has anyone else just oiled the outside?

Mark 10-22-2007 01:44 PM

PS: Here's a link for a $10 grinder but I'd still buy the 7.5'/$30 one

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=95578

pepper76usa 10-22-2007 05:12 PM

4 Attachment(s)
Ok, you'll never guess what I did this last weekend. I took my "Geto Style" UDS to a KCBS comp in Canton GA . This was our first comp and let me tell you it was great! We placed 25 out of 38 teams overall. I came in 17 with my pulled pork cooked on the UDS! This is a great smoker. We also got 12 on the brisket, not bad for our first comp. Just thought I would let Ya'll know. Here is some pic's of the turn in boxes. We Also had the #6 Sauce out of 62. What a great weekend. Now I have to go sleep for a week. Thanks for you guys help with everything.
Attachment 10659
Attachment 10660
Attachment 10661
Attachment 10662

MT4Runner 10-23-2007 09:44 PM

Pepper, all four smoked on the UDS, or did you use your "ghetto offset" for some?
Any other UDS'es at the comp?

Nice work on the presentation!!

swamprb 10-23-2007 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pepper76usa (Post 484302)
Ok, you'll never guess what I did this last weekend. I took my "Geto Style" UDS to a KCBS comp in Canton GA . This was our first comp and let me tell you it was great! We placed 25 out of 38 teams overall. I came in 17 with my pulled pork cooked on the UDS! This is a great smoker. We also got 12 on the brisket, not bad for our first comp. Just thought I would let Ya'll know. Here is some pic's of the turn in boxes. We Also had the #6 Sauce out of 62. What a great weekend. Now I have to go sleep for a week. Thanks for you guys help with everything.
Attachment 10659
Attachment 10660
Attachment 10661
Attachment 10662

Way to go pepper! Did my first comp with the UDS's too! Didn't do as well as you did but they cruised none the less! Keep up the good work!

Rookie'48 10-27-2007 01:59 AM

Man, that's one long farkin' thread, 38 pages (plus the extra links)! I took a bunch of notes (hope that I can make some sense out of them in the morning [beer mod]). I've got to figure out if I want the 3 or 4 openings 1/2" to 3/4" or to go for the single 2" to 3" exhaust pipe. With my back, I think that the single, larger, taller intake may be the answer. Anyway, here's hoping that tomorrow is the "burn out the barrel" day so that I can get this project on the road.
I got the drum from Brother Jeff (Smoookin') at the bash last weekend, and I know that he wants to make sure that the gift wasn't wasted, so I had better get with the program, right? Wish me luck, I'll need it:biggrin:.

Single Fin Smoker 10-27-2007 02:34 AM

Rook, your gonna love it!
I'm doing my first brisket tomorrow on mine. Can't wait. Its like a whole new inspiration for q for me. Thanks Norco again.

smooookin 10-27-2007 09:30 AM

Dave, I forgot one very important step when we were talking about the build.



MAKE SURE you have plenty of beer on hand. It makes the build go faster and everything turns out perfect!!

SmokeWatcher 10-27-2007 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smooookin (Post 487403)
MAKE SURE you have plenty of beer on hand. It makes the build go faster and everything turns out perfect!!

HERE HERE!! I second the motion!

Meat Burner 10-27-2007 06:33 PM

Building my 4th UDS tonight. Well, doing some of the work since the World Series is on. Have a TV in the garage, plenty of beer, wife loves to help, burned the barrel for the second time today, sanded, used metal conditioner and now drying in the garage. This one is for a friend that gave me a near new Bandera so making this for them. Will take pics later and try to finish up tomorrow. Depends on the amount of beer and what mama helps with.:biggrin: Life Is Good!

deeque 10-27-2007 07:20 PM

UDS and first cook pics.
 
http://s239.photobucket.com/albums/f...=1stSpares.jpgHere are a few pictures of my first UDS and first spare, after i took the spare off the smoker i opened up all the intake holes and raised the temp. to cook 2 chicken breast and 1 sirlion steak all of which turned out very good. Not bad for a first time smoke. Looking forward to useing my smoker a lot. Held temps. with no problems. Wish i had known about the UDS sooner.http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/f...ethren/1st.jpghttp://i239.photobucket.com/albums/f...weetBlue-1.jpghttp://i239.photobucket.com/albums/f...thren/Temp.jpghttp://i239.photobucket.com/albums/f...deBasket-1.jpghttp://i239.photobucket.com/albums/f...en/MyUDS-1.jpghttp://i239.photobucke[IMG]http://i2.../InsideUDS.jpgt.com/albums/ff72/bbq-brethren/Resting.jpg[/IMG]http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/f.../SweetBlue.jpg Hope this corrected post helps some other newbie who may need just a little push to get started. Enjoy the post.:wink::grin:

Rookie'48 10-28-2007 12:52 AM

deeque -
Did you paint or oil your UDS? If that's paint, what kind & does it come in spray cans?


Smooookin' -
I think that we talked about the secret ingredient (beer), or maybe we just drank enough that all I can remember is beer, friends, beer, lots of damn good food, beer, even better friends, beer, ways to cook and/or make smokers, and, of course --- BEER!
Did I mention that there was alcohol involved?

deeque 10-28-2007 04:10 PM

Oiled the inside real good with PAM. The outside was painted when i got the barrel. It was a reconditioned model, not many miles on it. You can use Krilon High heat paint it works good, i've used it before with good results. Good luck and happy smokin with yours. May your smoke always be blue.

deeque 10-28-2007 05:10 PM

Rookie'48 if you can get yourself a step bit it helps with the hole drilling and can be used on later models. (UDS) IMHO

sksmoker 10-29-2007 02:06 PM

Anyone have any idea's on how to fit a rotis on these things? I have been throwing around a few designs, but nothing that is actually going to work. With my flat lid, it really throws everything off. If I could fit a dome lid on it, that would be ok, but I can't.

Smokin Gator 10-29-2007 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sksmoker (Post 488385)
Anyone have any idea's on how to fit a rotis on these things? I have been throwing around a few designs, but nothing that is actually going to work. With my flat lid, it really throws everything off. If I could fit a dome lid on it, that would be ok, but I can't.

I found a used Weber rotisserie ring on eBay. I already had the motor and spindle. I haven't actually used the rotisserie on the UDS but I have used the ring a few times do add more space about the top rack. It worked fine.

ewile 10-30-2007 10:43 PM

would one of these work?

http://cgi.ebay.com/BIODIESEL-55-gal...QQcmdZViewItem

Mark 10-31-2007 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ewile (Post 489193)

Yeah; but I'd still do a good burn out as it looks like the inside has been coated. I recently got a couple free drums here that held fabric softener (modified tallow & isopropyl alcohol) with the same color inside.

Mark 10-31-2007 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smokin Gator (Post 488395)
I found a used Weber rotisserie ring on eBay. I already had the motor and spindle. I haven't actually used the rotisserie on the UDS but I have used the ring a few times do add more space about the top rack. It worked fine.

I made an extension ring by cutting off 1/3 of another drum. Fits great. Cutting a slot for a rotisserie and attaching a bracket to secure the motor would be all it needs. But I can't rationalize the value of a rotisserie when all that is really needed is to flip whatever once or twice.

thirdeye 11-03-2007 09:31 AM

Hoe Scoop
 
I visited with ChiliMacDaddy and Norco this week about the ash scoop I made for my BDS's last year and thought it would be a good time to re-visit the pictures. I basically ground the front of the hoe to match the radius of the drum, then took a strip of thin steel and welded it to the hoe to box it in.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...9bfa8566-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...S/9bfa8566.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...S/b9f9e047.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...S/1cdc9afc.jpg

bman 11-03-2007 09:58 AM

As they say in the beer commercial......Brilliant!
Hopefully I will be getting a MIG in January for my birthday.

Questions on paint.
1) If using spray cans, how many do I need?
2) I have several HVLP guns, can I get paint to use in one of them to spary? If so what about thinning?

Thanks for all the great ideas !

wlh3 11-03-2007 11:17 AM

1 Attachment(s)
That is really cool Third Eye. My route was more commerical and I don't have a welder. So this is what I use. Needles to say get a new one.:icon_bigsmil:icon_bigsmil

thirdeye 11-03-2007 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wlh3 (Post 491133)
That is really cool Third Eye. My route was more commerical and I don't have a welder. So this is what I use. Needles to say get a new one.:icon_bigsmil:icon_bigsmil

That is a GREAT idea. I like the two parts (scraper and scoop). I just checked prices and they are around $18. And I bet they are carried at the big box pet stores.

wlh3 11-03-2007 12:05 PM

Ya I picked it up at pet smart it was $20.00. Used it yesterday to clean the UDS. Lined a small plastic paint bucket with a plastic bag scooped away dumped in the bag tied up threw away. No fuss no mess. It was your hoe scooper that gave me the idea. Thanks:icon_bigsmil

msu1970 11-04-2007 11:19 AM

Awesome job everybody..i want one bad...everybody here is very cool tips about tips and ideas..big props to all.I cant wait to start one.I started reading this thread yester day and just finished.THANK YOU ALL..MICHIGAN HERE..

wlh3 11-04-2007 05:33 PM

Question
 
Drum Guys that have two racks and two temp guages. What is temp diff between lower and upper Rack ? I only have one gauge on the lower rack. I know there are a few more variables just an Idea. Thanks :icon_bigsmil:icon_bigsmil

Norcoredneck 11-04-2007 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wlh3 (Post 491975)
Drum Guys that have two racks and two temp guages. What is temp diff between lower and upper Rack ? I only have one gauge on the lower rack. I know there are a few more variables just an Idea. Thanks :icon_bigsmil:icon_bigsmil

Trouble with 2 gauges in side of drum is the lower grate is very difficult to get past upper grate. On my large drum I have a electronic temp probe that is at lower grate used to run my redneck guru, one dial gauge in at lower grate and one in lid. I get about 20-25 degree difference in 2 dials if I leave it alone. If I open it for a little while they go haywire. Yuo really have to watch opening it as it temp spikes.

wlh3 11-04-2007 05:55 PM

Thanks Norco. I am doing wings today on the upper grate nothing on the lower. Lower grate temp is 250 deg right now no idea on upper grate is so full no room for a oven temp gauge to give me some idea. If I get some shrinkage will put it in to get some idea. nothings perfect its all good:icon_bigsmil:icon_bigsmil

cardiac_cadet002 11-09-2007 02:57 PM

Well I just wanna say that after reading this entire thread I went out and purchased/scrounged up all the necessary stuff to build my own UDS. I spent 4 hours yesterday in the cold managing a towering inferno that I had built in the barrel using old wood pallets that I ripped with my circular saw, but hey, at least the fire kept me warm on the outside and the thoughts of soon having my own UDS kept me warm on the inside. I will be sure and post pics when I have it done, hopefully by Monday I will be smoking a brisket! Great thread and awesome forum!!!!

deeque 11-09-2007 07:43 PM

good luck cardiac hope you enjoy the fruits of your labor. keep on smokeing.:-D

Bigmista 11-09-2007 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cardiac_cadet002 (Post 494783)
Well I just wanna say that after reading this entire thread I went out and purchased/scrounged up all the necessary stuff to build my own UDS. I spent 4 hours yesterday in the cold managing a towering inferno that I had built in the barrel using old wood pallets that I ripped with my circular saw, but hey, at least the fire kept me warm on the outside and the thoughts of soon having my own UDS kept me warm on the inside. I will be sure and post pics when I have it done, hopefully by Monday I will be smoking a brisket! Great thread and awesome forum!!!!

Way to go CC! Welocme to the UDS Corps! Now get over to Cattle Call and introduce yourself!

swamprb 11-09-2007 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cardiac_cadet002 (Post 494783)
Well I just wanna say that after reading this entire thread I went out and purchased/scrounged up all the necessary stuff to build my own UDS. I spent 4 hours yesterday in the cold managing a towering inferno that I had built in the barrel using old wood pallets that I ripped with my circular saw, but hey, at least the fire kept me warm on the outside and the thoughts of soon having my own UDS kept me warm on the inside. I will be sure and post pics when I have it done, hopefully by Monday I will be smoking a brisket! Great thread and awesome forum!!!!

"Rarely have we seen a person fail, that has thouroghly followed the UDS path"

Post pics! We love them

Single Fin Smoker 11-10-2007 02:38 AM

Tomorrow I cook for the inlaws. USC/Cal game at 5 & Hawaii/Fresno State at 8 on ESPN. My two favorite teams/schools......sc and UH that is....

Inlaws are from Hawaii.

Da Phoenix will be tested with a 4 pound butt, a 3 pound chicken(I butterflied), a fattie, and cheap ass funky denmark ribs I've been dying to rid my freezer of. Maybe some abt's if I get bored.
When the cook is done, I plan to add some more HBBQ Rancher to smoke some of my Peppers over nite. Depending on how drunk I get we'll see how that goes.
Hopefully I can post pics Sunday nite.

Norcoredneck 11-10-2007 10:28 AM

Pictures of the drunk part please. Hear you make a hell of a fence fire. :twisted:

Single Fin Smoker 11-10-2007 12:22 PM

Man....open up that front ball valve and your temps get to 300 in a hurry!

Rookie'48 11-10-2007 08:52 PM

Using a 2 1/4" exhaust pipe (bent @ 90*) for the intake, running wide open, with a home made (redneck mod) coal basket, I got temps between 350* & 450* using Rancher lump today. Temps were measured using a dial - type meat thermo with a 6 inch stem. I just stuck it in the exhaust vent (3" pipe, about 16" to 18" tall) like you do to measure the dome temp of the WSM. The real temps may have been higher, but I won't know until I get a reading with a mounted thermo or install the grates & use the ET-73.
The next steps will be another burn to get the paint off of the inside (how many of these will I have to do?), installing the grates, cutting the ring off of the free 22 1/2" kettle that I scored today, building the ash-pan & the slide covers for the intake & exhaust tubes.
I keep doing a little at a time & keep thinking of more things to make / add to this "little project":rolleyes:.


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