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-   -   Ugly Drum Smoker (https://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23436)

MushCreek 05-12-2010 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DennisGS (Post 1279864)
Hi Everyone,
I have read, searched and though I have seen many ideas on how to fit a smaller Weber top on to a larger rolled edge drum, I haven't seen that anyone has tried this idea so I wanted to get some feedback.

I would rather not cut off the rolled edge of the barrel, as it makes a nice top. So, instead of removing it, my idea is to slightly shrink it.

The circumference of the barrel is about 2.7 cm (about 1 inch) larger than the Weber lid. My angle grinder cutoff blade is about 1mm thick. So, if I cut about 30 grooves in the roll, evenly spaced around the top, then, using my band clamp, wrap around the roll and squeeze it in such that the grooves are pinched together, I should make the top just narrow enough the lid fits.

What do you think? Might it work?
Thanks,
Dennis

It would probably work, but it would be hard to get a good seal after all that. I took a piece of 1-1/4 X 1/8" flat stock and bent it into a hoop. I then drilled and bolted it to the inside of my top bead. It seals very well. Another option, especially if you have access to cheap drums, is to cut another drum off with most of the rib still on it. This will fit over the bead, and then seal against it. It makes a nice big lid, almost a foot tall, but they are heavy.

Here's my first UDS, with a close-up of the added strip:
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k1...e/IMGP5024.jpg
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k1...e/IMGP5025.jpg

Here's my second unit, with a third of a drum for a lid:
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k1...e/IMG_0032.jpg

It almost looks like all one piece.

woodbutcher1 05-12-2010 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DennisGS (Post 1279864)
Hi Everyone,
I have read, searched and though I have seen many ideas on how to fit a smaller Weber top on to a larger rolled edge drum, I haven't seen that anyone has tried this idea so I wanted to get some feedback............



What do you think? Might it work?
Thanks,
Dennis

Dennis, this is what i ended up doing.
Free drum with 3 lids.
A knock off weber style kettle grill $10 from CL. I still do not know what make it is.

The lid itselfe, would not even get close to fit to anything. However the kettle would fit perfectly into the inner side wall of the lid.One of the lids was made from real thin sheet metal, and i cut the inside out with tin snips. I just wanted to see what,if any other problems would arrise.
Satisfied, i proseeded to cut away on the sturdier lid. Once i had the kettle in place,i drilled 1/8" diameter holes thru both parts and pop-rivited together. I then went back and cut out the 2" bung holefrom the scrap lid. I needed to close of the big hole that the ash catcher was attached, and a place for my smoke stack.

I ended up getting some 1/2" stove gasket rope and glue to make everything tight.

smokindave74 05-13-2010 09:23 AM

Thanks. Yeah, I figured there would be a lot of used ones on Craigslist...... but I will have to make a special trip to the cities to scope them out.......I will just have to scale back my timeline on the completing the UDS.......as I can't make it up there anytime soon.

Hopefully I can find one at a local garage sale.



Quote:

Originally Posted by BigButzBBQ (Post 1279863)
I know it isn't exactly like walking next door but, I think the Minneapolis/St. Paul area might be the used Weber Meca of the world. They always have people getting rid of them at garage sales, check out scrap yards as well, sometimes people bring them old grills as well.
Here's a craigslist one for $20.00 http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ra...737289593.html
heres another for $30.00
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ra...736544364.html
You get the idea :laugh:


rockyathabaska 05-13-2010 12:15 PM

metal strip mod
 
I did the metal strip mod to my UDS to use the weber lid.
But, when I bent the flat bar[1 1/2 x 1/8] it didn't bend evenly,it kinked.
Therefore,when I bolted it on it didn't seal tight to the drum and wouldn't put out the coals after my cooking session.
Most of these mods look better than how mine turned out.
How do you get the regular bend going on your flat bar?
I'm thinking of pulling it through 3 offset pipe clamps somehow.
Any of you crafty bros got a homemade jig that'd do it?

thanks , Rockyathabaska

moda253 05-13-2010 12:45 PM

Couldn't you just get a piece of sheet metal an inch or so wide and go around the inside of it like that? Maybe some flashing in the gutter and siding department of HD?

NASCARican 05-13-2010 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockyathabaska (Post 1280580)
I did the metal strip mod to my UDS to use the weber lid.
But, when I bent the flat bar[1 1/2 x 1/8] it didn't bend evenly,it kinked.
Therefore,when I bolted it on it didn't seal tight to the drum and wouldn't put out the coals after my cooking session.
Most of these mods look better than how mine turned out.
How do you get the regular bend going on your flat bar?
I'm thinking of pulling it through 3 offset pipe clamps somehow.
Any of you crafty bros got a homemade jig that'd do it?

thanks , Rockyathabaska

Don't know how thick of a piece your using...how about try a car tire! :confused:

rockyathabaska 05-13-2010 11:25 PM

The mild steel that I'm using kinks when I start to bend it.I've got lots of round things to bend it around but it kinks.I'm looking for some way to bend it evenly so it doesn't kink.
I'll work on this problem over the weekend and post the results;should be a good bit of info for the bros in my fix.
I can do this!

Rocky

PaulG78 05-13-2010 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockyathabaska (Post 1281497)
The mild steel that I'm using kinks when I start to bend it.I've got lots of round things to bend it around but it kinks.I'm looking for some way to bend it evenly so it doesn't kink.
I'll work on this problem over the weekend and post the results;should be a good bit of info for the bros in my fix.
I can do this!

Rocky

Just spit balling ideas here, nothing I have tried so take it with a grain of salt. Could you C-clamp the end of the strip to the outside rim of the barrel and continue to add C-clamps as you moved around the barrel? Seems to me this would give you a rough bend which you could then move to the inside of the barrel for the final fitting. Yes it would take a ton o' C-clamps, but I think it would work.

rockyathabaska 05-13-2010 11:57 PM

thanks for the spitball PaulG78;could work but might bend barrel out of round so lid won't fit tight like mine does now.Do have quite a few C-clamps though......

Rocky

Norcoredneck 05-14-2010 04:08 AM

Ring Roller. Does rings but you can roll flat stock. I have rolled 2"wX1/4".
http://www.harborfreight.com/media/c.../image_422.jpg

http://www.harborfreight.com/garage-...ler-36790.html

Or spend more... They sell dies to do flat bar.
http://www.harborfreight.com/media/c...image_4292.jpg

MushCreek 05-14-2010 04:16 AM

My first one is SS; it's a little harder than mild steel, so it stayed pretty even. I then did a mild steel one. I don't remember having a lot of trouble, but I put a lot of clamps on it, concentrating on the trouble spots, and tack welded it everywhere until it fit pretty good. As a final step, you could seal around it with high-temp silicone maybe. I also have a lot of experience doing stuff like this- practice helps!

A roller would be the way to go, but it seems like a lot unless you have other uses for it. Maybe there's a fabricating shop that would bend you one for a little 'Q or a few bucks?

juggs 05-14-2010 12:49 PM

hi newb here, i am up to page 180 in this thread .i picked up 2 drums this morning , going to start my build as soon as i post this; which holds more constant even heat the weber lid or the flat lit that comes with the drums ? my wber lid does not fit my drum top .
I do have a whole weber kettle for parts , i remember reading cutting off the top of the kettle and inserting in to the drum . does this work good or am i better off using my flat lid?
2nd ? is it better off cooking on the top grate Higher from Charcoal) with a weber lid or the bottom grate (24 inches from charcoal) with flat lid , appreciate any help /advice

Cheers Juggs

Mark 05-14-2010 01:10 PM

Hellifiknow juggs. Probably not much difference. But the domed Weber-type lid provides more room for the top rack and that's why they are used.

McGurk 05-14-2010 01:11 PM

A Weber lid will open up some possibilities for meat quantity but won't make for a better smoker necessarily. Some complain of hot spots with the Weber lid, but you can just rotate the lid occasionally to take care of that. I say: if you've got it and are willing to sacrifice it, DO IT! Another option is to widen your lid slightly all the way around with a channel-lock or other wide pliers-type tool. Some use a hammer on a flat surface, too. In either case, WEAR GLASSES/GOGGLES! That porcelin shatters off at the speed of sound!

If all you want is one rack (or 2 racks close together for small stuff), stick with the flat lid. If you want 2 racks (or 3 close together) use the Weber. Cooking temps will vary slightly, but you can regulate them to work to your desires.

juggs 05-14-2010 02:18 PM

thanks for the advice i am a inch short on diameter for the weber lid am i better off at cutting the top of the kettle potion of the grill and see if it will slide in the top of the Drum .
also my flat lid fore the drum has some type of foam around the bead of the lid do i need to remove that if i use the flat lid ?


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