"Building a cold smoker out of a SS irrigation filter"

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Been a while since i've had any time to pick up an serious projects.. I've been searching for something like this for a while and finally found one at a great price....here's what it looks like when its being usedoriginally it was used as an irrigation filter....but i'll be converting it into a cold smoker!YES SIR... gettin my smokin on!i'll be doing some consulting before i start cutting & welding but the general plan is to either cut a door on the side or on top and have two racks insidea fire pit about 10' or further away and pipe the smoke into the bottom of this tank.... that way the smoke will effectively cool down and i can smoke my meats, fish, cheeses, whatever i choose to smoke without actually heating them up... Let me know what you guys think?i'll be posting progress pics as i go along...wishing i still had my plasma cutter! damn it..Last edited by zapster; 09-26-2013 at 03:48 PM.
Reply:Forgot to ask.... i'd like to do my welding with my Miller Millermatic 175 MIG... can anyone suggest what kind of SS wire to use?I'd like to go fluxcore since i do not have a gas set up... yes, i'm still a novice & can't justify the cost for how far and in-between i have welding projects.I understand that there are also SS electrodes... but for ease of use, i'd rather go with my MIG... my stick welder is a Miller Maxstar 150... Main welding will be done once I cut an opening, I will need to add a lip so that the door can seal... thanks!
Reply:Originally Posted by romanianbusinessmanJK!Thought that title would get some attention
Reply:OK. Reply #2. Call Miller.
Reply:Thats right... i forgot.. real welders have no sense of humor...  Originally Posted by SuperArcUmm, 24hrs later and your title only brought in one reply.  Don't ever get into the business of "advertising."
Reply:Damn... I seek advice and this is the kind of response I get? Originally Posted by BurpeeOK. Reply #2. Call Miller.
Reply:I'll try again, maybe someone will be kind enough to offer some useful advice.....the legs on this tank are bent inwards and i'd like to straighten them out...my first thought was to hook them up to my come-along and just pull them apart, anchoring them to the steel posts of my patio..would this work or do they need to be heated first?
Reply:1, you're trying to hard.2, don't count the lack of surprise as a lack of humor. I thought his comment was quite funny.3, calling miller is the best advice that could have been given. As miller will know the propper answer, vs someone's opinion.4, Don't mess with the structure of the tank unless you have to, and if you do, build your own legs and just cut off the originals that way you're not messing with the integrity of the tank itself. Granted the weights the tank is meant to hold vastly exceed anything you'll have for smoking, it's just good practice not to destroy something more than you need too to get a job done.Your first 6 photos didn't work so lord knows what you're actually trying to do.There are no problems. There are only solutions. It's your duty to determine the right one.Hobart Handler 210Airco 225 Amp MSM Stinger
Reply:Didnt realize that the images were not showing up.hope that works...
Reply:I wouldn't mess with the legs. there isn't any point besides your own possible OCD. The legs bent canted under the tank helps reduce the foot print and keeps things out of the way for passers by and what not. Though from the pictures is appears that they may be damaged a little as the feet aren't sitting flat on the ground in this case, I'd heat than pull to true. isolating the heat to the leg itself will help maintain the integrity of the tank.There are no problems. There are only solutions. It's your duty to determine the right one.Hobart Handler 210Airco 225 Amp MSM Stinger
Reply:You are right on about my OCD... but there is also the problem of my adult ADDI'm going to look into a cheap oxy acetylene set up.. i believe i saw one at HD for about $100... however though, in this pic from the manufacturer, the legs do look straight... Originally Posted by ThorsHammerI wouldn't mess with the legs. there isn't any point besides your own possible OCD. The legs bent canted under the tank helps reduce the foot print and keeps things out of the way for passers by and what not. Though from the pictures is appears that they may be damaged a little as the feet aren't sitting flat on the ground in this case, I'd heat than pull to true. isolating the heat to the leg itself will help maintain the integrity of the tank.
Reply:you'd be cheaper getting a propain weed burner as you're just introducing heat. you're not trying to cut it or weld it. Just get it hot enough to move. (make sure the take is open while you're doing this just to be safe)There are no problems. There are only solutions. It's your duty to determine the right one.Hobart Handler 210Airco 225 Amp MSM Stinger
Reply:Thank you for the suggestion, I actually have a propane torch that I used when doing the roof at my building...
Reply:Have you tried just pulling the legs straight? They look thin gauge. I'd just clamp a bar on them and give them a quick tweak.I suspect the body is 316 stainless as it was a filter. Pickup a roll of 0.23" ER316L mig wire. Your MM175 should run it fine. I have a MM175 and it loves small gauge wire.
Reply:Originally Posted by forhireHave you tried just pulling the legs straight? They look thin gauge. I'd just clamp a bar on them and give them a quick tweak.I suspect the body is 316 stainless as it was a filter. Pickup a roll of 0.23" ER316L mig wire. Your MM175 should run it fine. I have a MM175 and it loves small gauge wire.
Reply:Originally Posted by romanianbusinessmanThank you for the suggestion on the mig wire, is this a flux core that i can use without a shielding gas?
Reply:I spoke with a gentleman at Praxair and the wire you recommended would require a shielding gas... so would a TIG wish i had a way to justify a TIG.... or even shielding gas..he recommended i go with SS electrodes which they have in stock and go for about $25.
Reply:Title changed to avoid further confusion...
Reply:Another question, since I am full of them.I have some display racks that i picked up from JC Pennys when they went out of business, I used them in my store for many years and now they have been sitting for several years in the back of my dad's house.I am assuming that the grill/grates are SS... is there a way i can verify that they are SS and are safe for food?Theyve been sitting outside for several years and have not rusted.... and they look to be SS....
Reply:magnet, then spark test.There are no problems. There are only solutions. It's your duty to determine the right one.Hobart Handler 210Airco 225 Amp MSM Stinger
Reply:Got some work done on the smoker yesterday...I'll finish the other door today when i get home from work... i wouldnt mind doing it now, but i doubt the whole neighborhood would appreciate the noise at 6am!Then i'm going to have to fab up some shelves and some racks.. I'd like to use some heavy duty drawer slides so that the racks can be easily accessed.
Reply:Originally Posted by romanianbusinessmanAnother question, since I am full of them.I have some display racks that i picked up from JC Pennys when they went out of business, I used them in my store for many years and now they have been sitting for several years in the back of my dad's house.I am assuming that the grill/grates are SS... is there a way i can verify that they are SS and are safe for food?Theyve been sitting outside for several years and have not rusted.... and they look to be SS....
Reply:Thank you Ironman... that sounds like something i can try.I'll also take a magnet to check first. I tried straightening out the legs with a large (6') breaker bar...the problem is that they are welded to the side of the tank and the pressure bends the tank instead of the legs.I'm going to try heating the legs up with my propane torch tonight. Hopefully that will allow me to straighten em out... also i'll heat up the parts of the tank where its dented and pop the dents out.... once again my OCD is acting up
Reply:You should be able to TIG with your Maxstar. Buy a torch with a manual valve and some argon and you should be good to go.RGRG_______________________Hobart 187Northern Tool Plasma 375Harris 85 O/A Rig (Ireland)
Reply:Check USA Weld for some flux core SS, it appears to not be dual shield.http://www.usaweld.com/Flux-Cored-Wire-s/54.htmJohnOOPS!should be:  http://www.usaweld.com/Stainless-Steel-Wire-s/56.htmbut this is SS wire for use with Argon 75%  CO2 25% gas mix.JOHN
Reply:Got some progress done today.stopped by the local metal supply shop and picked up some SSWelds aren't half bad for an amateur.. Still have a few details left. Then have to lug it across my yard (150') mount it about 2' higher, mount the firebox & run the ducting....hopefully i can button it up this sunday.
Reply:
Reply:Originally Posted by iffida20OOPS!should be:  http://www.usaweld.com/Stainless-Steel-Wire-s/56.htmbut this is SS wire for use with Argon 75%  CO2 25% gas mix.JOHN
Reply:no one had any fluxcore ss mig wire here locally.. i ended up going with foodgrade ss electrodes 3/8 and ran them at 85~90 amps.
Reply:Gamble,HTP description for their SS wire reads that it is for C25 or 100% CO2.  Also says that it's 308 alloy.  I Have only used TIG for SS but might have to spring for a roll of the HTP wire just for giggles.John
Reply:Pretty much ready for some meat...did a trial run with some charcoal and some dry branches just to see how it smokes.
Reply:Realize i made a huge mistake in using the galvanized ducting for the smoker....Luckily i didn't smoke any food yet..i ripped all the galvanized out, as i dont want to risk any zinc poisoning to myself or my family.... purchased some 4" steel tubing, but the steel yard did not have any 90 degree elbows for this pipe... so i had to cut 45 degree cuts to make 90s.tacked it together to test fit it, used my harbor freight 110 stick for the tacks & tomorrow i'll be using my miller 175 mig to finish it off
Reply:Did you finish it up yet?