The long stem round dial temp gauge works well. I use the one I got with my turkey fryer. As Barbarian points out, it tells you what the temp is down in the middle of the drum. I find that I'm consistantly showing about 40-50F higher temp down in the drum than what my gauge shows on the lid. Between the two of them, I get a really good idea of what's going on, and adjust accordingly.

-=- Jerry -=-
www.uglydrumsmoker.blogspot.com

jerry where did you get that spring been thinking of this damper style but don't know how much of a spring I need.

Adding to knowledgebase
 

For those that haven't seen or used one..... Unibit
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ofb3I60Mevo

Great tip, but save your money on the Harbor Freight bits........JUNK!

Unless your drilling holes for 1 drum. (disposable mod)

UDS III Design Thoughts
 

Been thinkin' about an air intake based on the Big Green Egg for my next build. I've got some .032 stainless sheet metal at the shop that I can use. I'm thinking a 1 1/2 inch wide by 3 inch long opening should be enough air. Kinda like this without the screen.

Only pic I have at the time...

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x...s/IMG_5950.jpg

Thoughts?

Norco...Unibit...good! Unibit rules...just gets a little hot.
fordman, understanding you were asking jerrykr about springs...not that scientific. Just something short enough to fit on the bolt you're using and strong enough to hold the vent caps. I found mine at local hardware store no problem. HD will have them. Only done one cook so far but like the dampers...I know No Pron! Wasn't worth posting.
Ribs this weekend and will post pron. More practice with temps.

Norco........you suck......that is untill you build me another uds. Did my cash bounce or something? Ain't we friends?
Dude, I got sc tickets for you(although I know you hate em) to any game you want.

WhaddoooIIIgotta do? Admit I'm worthless at building chit or something? No problem!

"JD's" Sliding UDS Vent...
 

Here 'tis farkers...my "non-patented", feel free to copy at will, "Sliding UDS Vent"...:razz:

Started with this...

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x...I/IMG_6014.jpg

Layed out the tab lines and cut on the band saw...

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x...I/IMG_6019.jpg

Bent up tabs...

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x...I/IMG_6020.jpg

Inserted slide and bent over tabs...

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x...I/IMG_6021.jpg

Fit test...cinched (squeezed tabs a little more) on the slide...

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x...I/IMG_6025.jpg

Drum fit up...

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x...I/IMG_6026.jpg

Looks like it'll work just fine...:razz:

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x...I/IMG_6027.jpg

Next up...pop-riveting and sealing to the drum...stay tuned folks! :biggrin:

yep:mrgreen: , it's an egg basket and some expanded steel , I used some 3in. bolts for the legs

Sorry to take so long answering the question about the springs. They came from a automotive kit to replace all of the pieces in drum brakes. I had a piece break in one of my rear brakes on my car and had to buy the full kit to get the piece that I needed. No problem, as the whole kit was only about $5. Anyway the springs were in the kit, and already painted yellow.

I found an assortment of springs at Home Depot, but I liked these better and took the Home Depot package back. BTW: they are located in the section where they have hinges and stuff for wooden fence gates. They were hard to find, only one clerk in the store knew where they were.

Very nice JD...I will be watching to see how the rest of this goes. I am looking to build a second drum (plus the guys at work all want them), and I like the way that looks.

Mine likes horzontal rain and hail !

That looks like my neck of the woods bro...:eek: Good thing your intake is a few inches off the ground!

Wow! That's some serious rain. Can't believe you've got that rotiserie plugged in in the water?

Had to fix an umbrella on mine this weekend here in SF but it was mostly for me not the Drum.

I unplugged it at the othe end ( I did not want to go out in that)
Failed to mention there was also tornado warrings.
Pulled the blower and left the 1 1/2" tube open.
Temp held at 205 durring storm.
No meat was harmed durring this production.