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Fredo
07-24-2009, 01:22 AM
A year or so ago, my friend Denton's Dad was talking to me about rebuilding his trailer smoker. His name is Robert by the way. Well, Robert and I talked about rebuilding the rust damage to his smoker a year or so ago and never really got around to it. But, being out of a job, and him being in a position to do it, we finally got around to rebuilding said smoker.

This might sound a bit biased, but Robert has smoked some of the finest ribs I have ever tasted. So I was honored to get the right to rebuild his smoker. When I arrived to pickup the smoker for the work, I got a glimse of what 30 years of smoking ribs and brisket can do to steel, especially with questionable fabrication.

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x283/fredo_92/smoker/smoker01.jpg

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x283/fredo_92/smoker/smoker02.jpg

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x283/fredo_92/smoker/smoker03.jpg

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x283/fredo_92/smoker/smoker04.jpg

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x283/fredo_92/smoker/smoker05.jpg

Fredo
07-24-2009, 01:29 AM
Another pic of the damage...

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x283/fredo_92/smoker/smoker06.jpg

Here is a pic after I got the rusted out firebox out of the way and found the real rust damage to the smoker box.

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x283/fredo_92/smoker/smoker07.jpg

So I went ahead and cut until I reached "good steel".
At this point is where I was questioning if I could actually save the smoker.

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x283/fredo_92/smoker/smoker08.jpg

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x283/fredo_92/smoker/smoker09.jpg

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x283/fredo_92/smoker/smoker10.jpg

After developing a plan, I decided the rear of the smoker box was going to be square from the point on.

Fredo
07-24-2009, 01:36 AM
So at this point I need to replace the rear of the smoker box. Well, there was this halfassed "heat control flap" on the old setup, so I figured I would take this to the next level.

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x283/fredo_92/smoker/smoker11.jpg

Then the flap in the "up" position:
http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x283/fredo_92/smoker/smoker12.jpg

Image from the smoker box side:
http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x283/fredo_92/smoker/smoker13.jpg

A picture of the new adjuster:
http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x283/fredo_92/smoker/smoker14.jpg

Here is a pic of the beginings of the new firebox
http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x283/fredo_92/smoker/smoker15.jpg

Fredo
07-24-2009, 01:42 AM
Firebox hung:
http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x283/fredo_92/smoker/smoker16.jpg

The finished adjuster for the heat flap:
http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x283/fredo_92/smoker/smoker17-1.jpg

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x283/fredo_92/smoker/smoker18-1.jpg

Cutting out the cleanout and fire air control setup:
http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x283/fredo_92/smoker/smoker19.jpg

Fredo
07-24-2009, 01:59 AM
The finished top door for the firebox. Owner wanted to be able to load wood from the top like the old firebox, otherwise this would not have been put back in.

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x283/fredo_92/smoker/smoker20.jpg

The finished rear door for the firebox.
http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x283/fredo_92/smoker/smoker25.jpg


Fire Air control flap open:
http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x283/fredo_92/smoker/smoker26.jpg

Flap Closed:
http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x283/fredo_92/smoker/smoker27.jpg

The beginings of the ****hole gate hinge replacement.

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x283/fredo_92/smoker/smoker21.jpg

Fredo
07-24-2009, 02:08 AM
Gate hinges ground down and replaced with something a bit more beefy.
http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x283/fredo_92/smoker/smoker22.jpg

Counterweight designed, built, and installed:
http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x283/fredo_92/smoker/smoker23.jpg

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x283/fredo_92/smoker/smoker24.jpg

Still left to go is the standoffs for the firewood in the firebox, the rain flap for the smoke stack, hanging the fenders, taillights, wiring, paint, and the worktop. I've got a source on granite, so the worktop might end up in granite. I think the granite would be badass due to the weather resistance and ease of cleaning. Just shoot some bleach on it and go, and it would be smooth enough to be a cutting board if need be. I'll keep you guys updated on the granite and progress as I go. I just wanted to go ahead and get this thread started to show you what people without real jobs do. :)

DRAGOONRANCH
07-24-2009, 04:15 AM
Nice work Fred! You definitely put some time and thought into it. :D

Will you be putting any kind of suspension between the axle and box, or will it stay hard mounted? If hard mounted, what are your plans on mounting the granite, any kind of bushings to help absorb the shock?

FJAggie07
07-24-2009, 07:05 AM
What Ed said about the granite, I ould think the first pot hole he hit might crack the badass granite. The air flap and counterweight are both works of art. That thing is pretty man....

mudtoy67
07-24-2009, 07:24 AM
He's already got bushings...they're called tires.:flipoff2:

I think a thick piece of granite securely mounted to a sturdy frame would be fine. Just bouncing around shouldn't crack it.

Very nice work Fred. I think you've found your new calling!-pimp-

Sharpe
07-24-2009, 08:41 AM
Speedholes in the counterbalance! Should have dimple died it :flipoff2:

Looks good!

eight
07-24-2009, 08:52 AM
I know that checker plate is bothering you.

uglyota
07-24-2009, 09:43 AM
Oh my god dude that is rad. Is Robert involved with the rebuilding or is he going to sh1t his pants when you deliver it?

Graystroke
07-24-2009, 02:02 PM
fred...the finer the grain of the granite the more durable and less likely to break...something like absolute black would be a good choice...you could also get 3cm. you could make your tops out of some kind of sheet metal or thin plate first and then glue the granite to it down. this would reduce stress spots. I think it would be fine if it is a small pc and 3cm thick.
3cm weighs about 22lbs a sq ft.

jerryg79
07-24-2009, 02:06 PM
Chinese Uba Tuba!

Smoker is bad ass, never seen one that wasnt welded by some half drunk redneck with a cracker box, that wasnt made to look like a train or a pistol.

Graystroke
07-24-2009, 05:54 PM
Chinese Uba Tuba!


yeah, that was the **** in 1993!

Fredo
07-24-2009, 06:08 PM
Thanks guys. I'm pretty happy with it so far.


Speedholes in the counterbalance! Should have dimple died it :flipoff2:

Looks good!

I want to see the dimple dies that can dimple 1/4" plate steel!


I know that checker plate is bothering you.

You know me too well man!


Oh my god dude that is rad. Is Robert involved with the rebuilding or is he going to sh1t his pants when you deliver it?

He has no idea. I hope he likes it.

Fredo
07-24-2009, 06:20 PM
Nice work Fred! You definitely put some time and thought into it. :D

Will you be putting any kind of suspension between the axle and box, or will it stay hard mounted? If hard mounted, what are your plans on mounting the granite, any kind of bushings to help absorb the shock?

I thought about redoing all of that, but the frame really isn't built to have suspension. It's just too narrow to make springs work and not look like ****. He doesn't town this thing long distances so I'm not going to worry about it.


fred...the finer the grain of the granite the more durable and less likely to break...something like absolute black would be a good choice...you could also get 3cm. you could make your tops out of some kind of sheet metal or thin plate first and then glue the granite to it down. this would reduce stress spots. I think it would be fine if it is a small pc and 3cm thick.
3cm weighs about 22lbs a sq ft.

Well, the source of granite I have is some pink granite that is left over from some sort of remodel of an office building. It is about an inch thick. I was thinking about building a steel perimeter frame for the piece, with flat steel supports with 1/2" plywood attached to the top of the supports. Then, glue the granite to the plywood. I don't know though, it's probably more trouble than it is worth.

redcagepatrol
07-25-2009, 01:23 PM
now I see what you've been working on. Pretty bad ass! It's almost making me head out to the garage and fire up the welder - almost...

Fredo
07-29-2009, 10:11 AM
Small update. Ended up putting a 3500lb axle under it to replace the oddball 2000lb 4 lug axle that was under it. Went ahead and put a 57" axle under it to replace the 50" axle that was there to move the tires and tail lights further away from the heat and allow for room for the fenders to be mounted seperate from the box.

Here's a shot of the axle in, and the fenders mounted:
http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x283/fredo_92/smoker/smoker30.jpg

New latch for the front cleanout:
http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x283/fredo_92/smoker/smoker28.jpg

New tongue jack and safety chains that it didn't have previously:

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x283/fredo_92/smoker/smoker29.jpg

Tail light mounts and heat shields for the lights installed:
http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x283/fredo_92/smoker/smoker31.jpg
http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x283/fredo_92/smoker/smoker32.jpg


I still have to build the rear jack system to get the weight off the tires when it is stationary, build a rain shield for the top of the smoke stack, finish up the worktop, and sandblast and paint the thing. In the home stretch now.

davido
07-29-2009, 04:36 PM
That's sick man! I was wondering why you didn't just sell it and start fresh, but it's bad ass looking and you get the keep "the original" stories in tact.

Seth
07-29-2009, 05:55 PM
I like the heat shields.

and dave, you on the boards?

Fredo
08-06-2009, 01:33 AM
So I ended up taking a few days off from the smoker due to apparently somehow burning my eyes while welding. The only thing that I can figure is that I was welding the wood standoffs inside the firebox and either light was reflecting around the backside of the helmet or the sensor for the autodarken was sheilded from the light in someway and didn't darken the lens right way. Anyway, picked up on it again and I finished the jack system to get the tires off the ground.

Jack in the retracted position:
http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x283/fredo_92/smoker/smoker33.jpg

Jacks in the extended position with the tires off the ground:
http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x283/fredo_92/smoker/smoker34.jpg

Couple pictures of the rain shield for the smokestack:
http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x283/fredo_92/smoker/smoker35.jpg

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x283/fredo_92/smoker/smoker36.jpg

And a couple of it pulled out of the shop to move it to the side yard for sandblasting:
http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x283/fredo_92/smoker/smoker37.jpg

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x283/fredo_92/smoker/smoker38.jpg

I got about half of it sandblasted today before a storm rolled in and I had to move it back into the shop. So I need to finish the sandblasting, paint it, wire it, and install the cooktop and it is ready to go home.

BMFScout
08-06-2009, 02:04 AM
I'm sure its the mobile connection but the pictures are coming through patchy, looks sick though. he is gonna ****.

TxCruzr
08-06-2009, 04:25 AM
Bad ass Fred. Already have a list of idea's i'll be stealing from you :gigem:

mudtoy67
08-06-2009, 08:15 AM
Nice work Fred!

Sucks about burning your eyes...been through that before.:(

redcagepatrol
08-06-2009, 08:27 AM
that is pretty darn sweet. Needs a place to set stuff like plates and sauce?

Graystroke
08-06-2009, 02:54 PM
he took that crap off so he can blast it I'm guessing....along w/ the lights and other soft things.

Fredo
08-11-2009, 12:38 AM
Forgot to post a picture of the stands for the wood. I basically made angle iron standoffs on each side that pieces of angle iron sit on top of. That way they keep the fire directly off the bottom of the box and are removable to clean the ash out of the box.

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x283/fredo_92/smoker/smoker39.jpg

I also got the rest of the sandblasting done today and painted it. Still need to finish the wiring and the worktop.

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x283/fredo_92/smoker/smoker40.jpg

bcolman
08-11-2009, 02:05 AM
looks ****ing goode, how much for you to make me one?

BMFScout
08-11-2009, 10:39 AM
Best use for a jeep I have ever seen!!

http://www.partygrills.com/jeep.html

Reckless
08-11-2009, 05:24 PM
i want to make a grille out of an old flathead we have laying in the pasture

AggieTJ2007
08-11-2009, 06:14 PM
now only if you could engineer that jeep to be rear engine and you could drive it too

DRAGOONRANCH
08-11-2009, 07:13 PM
Can you imagine him rollin through Northgate with some red barron goggles on because the smoker is goin, and him hollerin out 'who wants a rib?'!

Seth
08-11-2009, 08:14 PM
Fred - one thing I noticed - is there a way to close the smoke stack? Typically you want the stack wide open for cooking, but occasionally it is nice to close them to control temp or put out your fire.

Seth
08-11-2009, 08:17 PM
NM - I just realized the flap will work for that. I was thinking it was a redundant control on the ass end of the box.

Seth
08-11-2009, 08:27 PM
OK a little more. I know you are a perfectionist, otherwise I wouldnt bother. The wood stands are perfect. It's too bad he wants to load wood in from the top, otherwise you can weld in expanded metal from underneath and it works great to grill burgers and steaks and such. Oh well. Is there anything behind the front cleanout door to seal that opening up? Everything else looks tight as dick's hatband. I just looked at the before pics, he really is gonna be blown away. Night and day.

DRAGOONRANCH
08-11-2009, 08:28 PM
It is nice to be able to close your stack off when you have a nasty wasps nest in there. A bag of charcoal under some fresh cut wood to get it real smoky makes Ed a happy boy. :D

Fredo
08-11-2009, 11:26 PM
Fred - one thing I noticed - is there a way to close the smoke stack? Typically you want the stack wide open for cooking, but occasionally it is nice to close them to control temp or put out your fire.

Look at the following pic. There is a smoke control flap installed in the stack. It will close off the stack about 95%.

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x283/fredo_92/smoker/smoker35a.jpg


OK a little more. I know you are a perfectionist, otherwise I wouldnt bother. The wood stands are perfect. It's too bad he wants to load wood in from the top, otherwise you can weld in expanded metal from underneath and it works great to grill burgers and steaks and such. Oh well. Is there anything behind the front cleanout door to seal that opening up? Everything else looks tight as dick's hatband. I just looked at the before pics, he really is gonna be blown away. Night and day.

He had a steel grate to set over the top opening to do just that on the old firebox. I just need to cut it down slightly and it will fit over the new opening so he can do that again if he wants.

Also, on the front cleanout, I kind of drew the line there on redoing the old fabrication. I could have redone that front set of hinges and gotten the door to line up better, but I figure it didn't even shut completely before so it's already better than it was. Also, heat and smoke rise, so I don't think the seal on that door will be a major concern.

DRAGOONRANCH
08-12-2009, 05:42 AM
looks ****ing goode, how much for you to make me one?

You haven't answered this one yet, and my uncle might want to be second in line. :D

Seth
08-12-2009, 06:52 PM
I figured you had it taken care of already :gigem:

Fredo
08-13-2009, 11:27 PM
So yesterday I didn't do much other than watch wood burn and wood sealer dry. Did a cleansing fire for good measure. Turns out it works as a smoker.

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x283/fredo_92/smoker/smoker41.jpg

I took the smoker back to Robert this afternoon. Here it is as I was leaving Murphy.

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x283/fredo_92/smoker/smoker42.jpg

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x283/fredo_92/smoker/smoker43.jpg

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x283/fredo_92/smoker/smoker44.jpg

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x283/fredo_92/smoker/smoker45.jpg

Robert seemed a little overwhelmed of what I had done at first. I was a little worried he might not like it or might think I went too far but he really liked it.

bcolman
08-14-2009, 03:00 AM
what happened to the granite? and what happened to your tahoe?

mudtoy67
08-14-2009, 07:28 AM
Awesome work Fred! :gigem:



what happened to the granite? and what happened to your tahoe?

That's their dad's 8.1 Burban

BMFScout
08-14-2009, 02:29 PM
I think he decided it tows a little rough with the axle mounted like that for Granite. It's actually mom's burban, dad drives a pos 91 toyota pickup. :)

Seth
08-14-2009, 04:14 PM
I think the wood looks better anyway.

DRAGOONRANCH
08-14-2009, 10:58 PM
The granite might not have looked as good now, but in 10 years, it would still be peemp! (unless it cracked :eek: ) A granite top will wear the edge off a knife quick too, so I am torn when it comes to that.

DRAGOONRANCH
08-20-2010, 08:27 AM
We just got this one to the office yesterday. Had a brisket on it a few weeks a go and it did pretty good. I really like the layout of this one, so I am going to try and get the dimensions down and work one up one of these days. I want to pull the 'bomb' and wrenches off and take them home. :D

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f192/DRAGOONRANCH/WORK1/2010-08-19084454.jpg