The start of my first smoker build...60 gal air compressor tank

[pitbossJB]

Oops, I reread your post, you do have DC. you're set.

 

[bjordmia]

Need your opinion for new build...

Hello Brethren, please give me your opinion on how I should lay out my door. The CC is an old air compressor tank and when I got it out of the seller's barn, I found a plate on the tank giving information on who built it and the year it was built. Thought it was very cool and planned on leaving it on but placing it on the backside. Once I started laying out the doors, I thought it would be even better to highlight the large plugs and the plate by keeping them as part of the door. What do you think? It would definitely be a conversation piece and sort of pays homage to its past life. The tank was built in 1942 and it's right there on the plate. See pics below. Also, my Milwaukee Metal Cutting Circular Saw came in today and this thing is a beast!!! Going to cut in to it this weekend and get the firebox built. Stay tuned...

 

[mikemci]

I like the idea of putting the mfg. tag up front for everyone to enjoy. I'm building one for a friend and he brought me a condensation tank used in some kind of Commercial HVAC system. It has a tag on it just like yours, with all the tank specs. and it also says "Bexar County Jail" (who it was originally made for.:laugh: I cut the door to incorporate that too!

 

[pitbossJB]

You could still see it on the backside as long as you didn't put it on the bottom.

 

[Bob in St. Louis]

Awesome!

 

[jrickus]

I cut off the tag and tack welded it in a new location since I put the plugs on the bottom and used one for my ball valve drain.

 

[bjordmia]

Finally making some progress...

I haven't been able to work on the smoker much over the past several months but am finally starting to make time. I'm taking a welding class at the local community college and feeling much more confident now. I've built the firebox and just need to fabricate the door. I'll start cutting in to the tank soon and can't wait for this thing to start taking shape. Here's some pics of the latest progress. Thank God for grinders...

 

[bjordmia]

More pics

 

[mikemci]

That's coming along nicely!! Radius corners look good on the fire box. How thick is that plate 1/2" ?

 

[bjordmia]

It's actually 5/16" and is tough to move around. Couldn't imagine the pain that 1/2" would be, lol

 

[bbqwilly]

Looking good

 

[jrickus]

Looks like you may have scored stainless steel for the firebox.

 

[Tunakc]

Looks like a great project..mine is nothing compared to yours. I'm fitting a Rib O Lator in my Masterbuilt 40" smoker. Extending the box size out an extra inch with 1" aluminum. Also making it a quick disconnect so I can use it on my Webber Summit grill since I'm using the motor and bracket off grill. Making another rotisserie rod for the smoker 3/8" SS Bar with plastic Handle. I will be watching your project. Good luck

 

[Bob in St. Louis]

The casters on top of the wooden crate that allow the workpiece to be rolled over is genius.

 

[lionhrt]

I`ll have to follow this, I just finished a smoker similar in size last year.

 

[bjordmia]

Looks like you may have scored stainless steel for the firebox.

I'm new at this so I had no idea. It would make a lot of sense as to why my welds were so awful, lol. I figured it was the used welder I bought. Also, the cut edges never oxidized which I thought was odd. Anyone know what 3 pieces of SS are worth that are 2'x10' and 5/16" thick? I paid $100 for all 4 pieces on craigslist but have now used 1.

 

[bjordmia]

Looks like you may have scored stainless steel for the firebox.

I'm new at this so I had no idea. It would make a lot of sense as to why my welds were so awful, lol. I figured it was the used welder I bought. Also, the cut edges never oxidized which I thought was odd. Anyone know what 3 pieces of SS are worth that are 2'x10' and 5/16" thick? I paid $100 for all 4 pieces on craigslist but have now used 1 of them. Farkin hilarious if they are...

 

[bjordmia]

The casters on top of the wooden crate that allow the workpiece to be rolled over is genius.

Wish I could take credit for the idea but I had seen it done on another thread and can't remember who deserves the credit, lol. I plan on continuing to make these as I find cheap tanks so figured it would come in handy. They're just cheap casters and moving dolly from Harbor Freight.

 

[jrickus]

A 5/16" 4 x 8 plate of A36 steel plate runs about $300. Your plate is most likely 304 stainless which is quite a bit more do to the chromium content and you definitely got a great deal . check it with a magnet, it should not stick if it is austenitic stainless steel. Also you cannot cut SS with an oxy-fuel torch( that's another way to tell) only plasma or cutting wheels for an angle grinder. The stuff will last forever on a firebox since it doesn't corrode like mild steel when it is heated and cooled repetitively.

 

[Bob in St. Louis]

Fantastic info.
Just curious, what does a 4x8 sheet of that weigh?