Ho. Ly. Crap it has been a long time since I've been able to get anything done on the rig.
Finally got some time today.
I embiggened the hole in the cooking chamber to allow the smoke transfer tube to fit thru.
Being my first big build and first time ever fabricating anything, the tube didn't quite hit the fire box squarely.
I trimmed about 3/8" off the back side of the transfer tube and also made the slot where the FB end passes between the 2 uprights of the frame.
Was able to get a much better connection- only had a slight gap in the back but was easily filled in during welding.
In this pic you can see how the transfer tube is at a slight angle.
So i started welding around the joint.
I get around 2 sides of the transfer tube and... welder craps out.
I go down to the basement to check the breakers- they're fine.
&^^%%#^&*&^%^$%#$@#@%$%$(*(*&&^!!!!!!!
Something is wrong with the welder itself. Gonna have to do some research and hopefully be able to fix it cheaply. Otherwise, i'll have to save up for a new welder and it'll be another 6 months before I can work on the pit again.
Anyway, thanks for looking!