Someone here posted that they just got a strip of metal and rolled it inside the drum, let it stick up 1/4"or so and lid seals against that. Don't know why that wouldn't work.

Rolled lip? Open top have a larger diameter, closed head have more of a crimp.

The lids I mentioned fit a closed or crimped lip.

Open head with rolled lip
http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/at...1&d=1251162999


Closed head with crimped lip (after using drum deheader)
http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k2...k/IMG_3053.jpg

smoker built
 

Well, I am still not all of the way through the entire thread, but I have finished a smoker. She's seasoned and all, I hope to be cooking something this week sometime.

From what I could find, I opted to get the thicker drum (18 ga) with closed head versus the open head but really thin drums. So, I would say about 60% of my work making a workable lid. I probably will never put this kind of time into another, it just adds so much work.

We'll start with the basket. 14" wide x 7" tall, with the ash pan (a pizza pan) attached.
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/w.../a100_1786.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/w.../a100_1787.jpg


The only things left to add are the 2" pipe smokestack, and I am going to put wood on one of the side shelves someday.
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/w.../a100_1770.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/w.../a100_1780.jpg
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/w.../a100_1782.jpg
I put alot more work into the lid than I really had to. Once I cut it, I wrapped both cut side with a 1/4" roundbar to give a seating surface, then on the lid half also welded a thin flatbar around the edge to line it up over the bottom. I also added a stove gasket in that lip, so it is sealed up tight.

Thanks for all of your help! What do y'all think?

trb

OutStanding Job!!!!!

We did this with one we just about have finished. We left the metal stick up 1/2" and it works fine with a Uniflame knockoff lid.

We are building another one with a Weber lid that also does not fit, and contemplating flattening the lid rim and wrapping the steel around the lid this time, rather than tacking it inside the drum. Working theory is that it would control wind effects better that way.

The steel is tack-welded in, and then the seam is sealed with JB Weld.

I can figure out how you did the wheels and the like but the hinge action is astonishing! Give us some close up(s) and more detailed description if the close up(s) don't suffice.

If you flatten the lid it will damage the porcilean coating and you have to get it all off where you weld. It's kind of a pain.

Old Hippie, nice job. Did you paint the basket and inside?

That is how I did my Weber lid and its works great. I also tack welded it and filled the cracks with JB Weld

Any issues with this charcoal basket for UDS?
 

Any thoughts or suggestions on this charcoal basket? I haven't added the handle yet, waiting until it's perfect.

Used a 16" pizza pan as an ashtray. 16" grate for the bottom of the basket. Used 12"x24" expanded steel for the basket, giving me a diameter of appx 7 1/2 x 12".

From the ground to the bottom of the basket is 3 1/4".
From the lip of the pizza pan to the bottom of the basket is 2 3/4".

No galvanized nuts/bolts.

Will this work? Any suggestions?

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j...p/DSCN2242.jpg

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j...p/DSCN2243.jpg

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j...p/DSCN2244.jpg

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!!!!

hige detail
 

Old Hippie,

See if this shows it better.
http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/w.../a100_1790.jpg

It isn't complicated, it just might look that way! I had to spread the mounting points out because a small mounting point on the thin sheet metal wall of the drum would let it be too flimsy, which is why there is so much steel for the hinge.

Also, I knew I had to back my pivot point out to allow it to lift and not catch that lip. Although, I went ahead and ground that lip up on the backside anyhow (which is why you can kind of see the gasket under that lip).

Score!
 

http://i665.photobucket.com/albums/v...IMAG0066-1.jpggot all 6 of these with lids for FREE!! they all had cows liver in them. oh wait the guy did charge me. just a PB. man im stoked! already started making one. just doing a basic build. i have no skills with tools so i figured i would start with the easy ones and work my way to those really nice ones like above.

I have one question, I have painted my UDS with BBQ paint, but its very dull(flat). I would like to shine it up a bit. Where could I get some High temp gloss can paint. Have not seen anywhere except for the bbq/stove flat paint.

I just scored 2 closed top drums for $6.00 each off of CL. They held isopropyl alcohol and are unlined. I already have one donor Weber kettle and am on the lookout for more donors for this project. I will post pics tomorrow. I gave up on the lined drum that I have had for awhile now. I will probably use it for an ash barrel. I am slowly reading through this thread and I have learned quite a lot.
Thanks for all of the great info.

Just use engine paint, or cook some butts and get it greasy, it will shine!:biggrin: