drum woes

[Blutch]

Got my free drum today from Line-X nice drum in perfect shape. One problem.. They wouldn't give me the lid. The guy said that because they didn't know me they couldn't give me a lid. Iasked why again and he said every barrel has to be accounted for and if I put something bad in it and dumped it then it could come back on them.

Ok. Now I have a great barrel and no lid. I have looked and looked for a weber lid to no avail.

Any ideas?

Also I bought the set of step drill bits at harbour freight. Thye aren't big enough.... Only go up to 3/4ths and you need 7/8ths to do the pipe nipples. Anyone know a cheap solutuion? The tapere bits big enough are around $35 and I don't have any other uses for one.

Thanks

B

 

[Yakfishingfool]

Offer to cut the whole in the lid then and there.

 

[smokinbadger]

Have you considered using a chassis punch to make the holes you need?

 

[Blutch]

Have you considered using a chassis punch to make the holes you need?

Sorry man... I have no clue what that is.. Can you eleborate?

B

 

[smokinbadger]

Sorry man... I have no clue what that is.. Can you eleborate?

B

No problem. It's a tool frequently used for putting round holes bigger than you would want to try and drill into electronics boxes. You drill a pilot hole and then put the two parts of this device on either side of the metal you want to cut. They are then connected by a bolt. You turn the bolt, which pushes the sharp edged cutter through the metal. Here's one currently for sale on Ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/GREENLEE-1-3-8-...ryZ55810QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Good luck with your project!

 

[Sawdustguy]

Buy a metal cutting hole saw.

 

[swamprb]

The K/O punch is going to be a bear to used in the bottom of the drum, I went through the same thing, the Harbor Freight bits are OK for drilling the bolt holes and all but you need a bigger bit. Bite the bullet and get either the Irwin #4 Unibit 3/16"-7/8" or go with a Greenlee step drill they are both about $35 I pissed and moaned about the price but since I have another drum to drill into it made sense to get the Unibit.
Something you might also try is to figure out what the exhaust pattern you want on the lid and ask them if you can drill the holes or if they will do it to ease their minds about the drum ID. Or grease his palm with a little $$$ , you got the drum for free the lid might cost you!
Put a Wanted posting in craigslist for a 22.5" Weber, you never know?

Brian

 

[Neil]

Buy a metal cutting hole saw.

Ditto what Guy said. 7/8 metal cutting hole saw bit for your drill. Works like a charm and with in budget.

 

[CajunSmoker]

If you have already drilled the holes out to 3/4", don't get a hole saw. You can't control a hole saw unless the pilot bit is in a hole its own size to keep the hole saw from going all over the place. Go ahead and get the larger step bit.

 

[Smokin Gator]

Blutch.... I did the exact same thing when I was building mine as far as buying a step bit from Harbor Frieght that was too small. I ended up buying another one (Irwin I think) from Home Depot. I figured this would not be the last one I built so I went ahead and spent the money.

I am not sure how nice a round those other tools mentioned cut a hole. Not saying they don't... I just don't know.

And from what I found you need to go to 13/16 for the holes when using 1/2 pipe nipples. Double check yours though... I don't want to steer you wrong.

As for the lid... I would ask the guy if bringing the drill and bits over and drilling the holes in front of him would convince him. Maybe even print a picture of a UDS and take it to him. Beg if you have to!!!

Good luck.... you aren't that far away from cooking.

 

[Blutch]

I haven't drilled any holes yet. I took the bits back to Harbour Freight. I didn't pay for the drum, so I will probably spring for the bigger step bit. I don't trust the hole saw bit. I actually have one... maybe I'll try it on something else and see how the pipe nipples fit... hmmmm. Now to figure out what to use to experiment... paint can maybe.

I will have to buy all the grills and other hardware. I am having a custom ash pan and charcoal basket made just like OldBob's and its looking like I'm going to have to buy a Weber kettle... Craigslist isn't coming through for me... so, this thing is going to be more expensive than I started out thinking, but it is going to be good.

Thanks for the ideas.

B

 

[thirdeye]

... I am having a custom ash pan and charcoal basket made just like OldBob's and its looking like I'm going to have to buy a Weber kettle... Craigslist isn't coming through for me... so, this thing is going to be more expensive than I started out thinking, but it is going to be good. Thanks for the ideas. B

Heck, if you are having a pan and basket built, have them make you a lid out of some light gage steel. They can make it slightly larger in diameter and they should be able to roll a band, or some angle to act as the lip. Add a handle and some vent holes and it could be better than a factory lid. If they are really into metal working, they may even be able to put a slight break in it to give you a peak so no water will ever puddle on it.

 

[Blutch]

That would be cool if I were having it made locally. My guy is far away and is shipping the basket to me. I think I can get a drum lid at a salvage yard. Still looking for the weber lid. It's a quest!

Getting ready to burn out the barrel.. although I took it to the car wash and cleaned it out really well, there is still a yellowish/brownish residue in the barrel.. I hope it isn't toxic or highly flammable.. a little nervous about this part... The barrel had a resin - isopropyleurethane or something like that in it.. so, it needs at least two good burns I think.

B
B

 

[sterlingsmoker]

That would make me very nervous. Will it burn out?

 

[Blutch]

i have a big fire going in it now.. we'll see. How can you tell if it has burned out?

also, I'm noticing a lot of smoke coming out of the bottom of the drum. Is that normal? It was water tight, so I think this is odd.

B

 

[motley que]

yes the smoke at the bottom is normal. I found a step drill bit on ebay. some no name brand for $19 and it worked for me when i made mine. it went to 13/16 but i was able to play with the nipples ( hey there honey mod) to get them to fit

 

[Napper]

Get the KO punch!!!
I have made 9 drums so far and it punches perfect burless holes every time!
I am now using my own version of a stoker so I only need one hole in the bottom and two holes in the lid.
"Positive pressure Controlled airflow" make the drum an Fantastic cooker. Holds temps without any effort.

I am at the in laws with a dial up connection.
Will post photos of the "Homemade stoker" next week.

 

[Blutch]

Napper,

What is that?? I bought the expensive step drill today, but I can still take it back. Please elaborate.

B

 

[swamprb]

KO- Knock Out punch.

The same thing smokingbadger mentioned in previous post.

 

[River City Smokehouse]

Blutch,
If you are coming to the Capital City Cook-off I think I have a lid down in my backyard I'll give you. It will need a cleaning but should work for you. Just PM me if it works for you. If it's not down there I can get one.