My first welding project a BBQ

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Well really its my 2nd welding project, I made a small gate for my house but that doesnt really count... this is the first thing that I have designed and made from scratch.  I have been welding for about 2 months now (a few times a week), no real training just trial and error.I did this all with my AC buzz box, sometimes with 6013, 7014, and 7018.  Trying out different rods to see how they work etc.Here is the plan of what I wanted it to look likeStarted out with a 55gal drum and cut it in halfStarted the frame by making the part that would support the drum.  I did 45 deg miter cuts and then welded them togetherground off the weldshere is the first part of the frame holding the drumI then discovered the cope technique and used this from then on. Here is with the cutting board and front shelf attachedI used C channel to make the uprights and the support.  Here is after throwing some paint on
Reply:Today I finally got close to finishing it up. I drilled holes is the C channel to fit a 1/2 pipe through.  I went to HF and got a cheap come-along and pieced it out.  Took the part that had the cog on it and cut off all the extra junk so that I just had the cog.  I welded a washer onto 1 side to space it off the frame and then drilled and tapped holes to attach the racheting mechanism.  I then took unistrut and persuaded it with a hammer to fit into the C channel and welded a piece of angle iron onto it and then attached that to the grill.  The attached the grill to the pipe with some steel rope.  I got an old wagon wheel and welded this into the pipe to use as a hand wheel. Here are some pics of the close to finished product.I still need to finish painting everything up, as well as make a shelf that will hold the firewood so that it does not burn directly on the 55gal drum.I also welded some portions of the drum onto the frame, and that was quite a challenge.  I used 6013 for that and turned my amps down and was amazed that I didnt burn through the drum once!!!  Welding the wagon wheel onto the pipe was quite a challenge as well... I think because the wheel was probably made of cast iron? I had a difficult time getting the weld to stick to both the pipe and wheel, it wanted to just burn through the wheel and stick on the pipe.I have welded a pipe 1x before and had much better results, so not sure what the problem was.I am really enjoying welding, and my friend and his boss were impressed enough that I picked up some work making a few things for their shop!
Reply:Looks good! "Every choice you make will effect at least one other person"
Reply:Meat conveyor, cool!
Reply:That AC buzz box is a great place to start. You're going to learn about heat ranges, welding technique, and rod manipulation at its most basic level without concerning yourself with all the knobs, buttons and extra features of the more sophisticated units. Then when you move up the welding ladder, you will have a much easiler time adapting. Oh yea, I really like your elevating meat rack. "THAT'S GENIUS"
Reply:I think that looks great! Nice workmanship and a clever design, no wonder it got you some work.I'm starting out with the same welder, but it looks like you're using it betterIs that the harbor freight bandsaw that I see in the background? How's it working out for you. I've been thinking about getting one.This might be a silly question, but do you know if it operates any quieter (or louder)than their chop saw?Keep up the good work!
Reply:Hey one more question for you -What did you use to draw up your plan? I think it's about time I get something like that.
Reply:Originally Posted by HundredaireSocialiteHey one more question for you -What did you use to draw up your plan? I think it's about time I get something like that.
Reply:looks good
Reply:Nice design, congratulations. Almost ready for some meat.
Reply:Thanks everyone! It was a lot of fun.  Took quite a while, probably because I am slow at getting everything set up and squared.  I dont have a welding bench so most of my welding was done on the cement floor.  That could be another reason it took so long... since I cant clamp anything.  I tended to stand on one piece and hold the other with one hand and then tack weld with my free hand. Originally Posted by HundredaireSocialiteIs that the harbor freight bandsaw that I see in the background? How's it working out for you. I've been thinking about getting one.This might be a silly question, but do you know if it operates any quieter (or louder)than their chop saw?Keep up the good work!
Reply:Thanks for all the info. I like being able to cut fast, but keeping the noise down is probably a bigger priority for my situation.with a saw like that I could work as late as I wanted.I checked it out again at hf today, the stand certainly seemed flimsy, and the little table to use it in the vertical position was laughable.  But, I don't think there's anything comparable with a $250 price tag. That will probably be the next thing I buy, right after a more serious drill press that I'll probably get by tomorrow.Thanks!Last edited by HundredaireSocialite; 04-30-2010 at 06:16 PM.
Reply:I like the winch and pawl thing"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Thanks again, I got it last night. I made more noise yelling obscenities at the rediculously inadequate base than I did cutting metal.It's quieter than my clothes dryer. I can use it at all hours of the day/night with out disturbing anyone. That's going to be a huge help.The best part is that one of the HF employees gave me a 20% off coupon while I was in there. Better still is that it rang up $100 less than it was marked when we got to the register.The warranty came out $15 off, too.Thanks again
Reply:Originally Posted by viper522Google SketchUp - it's free at http://sketchup.google.com/
Reply:Looks great! Got it up and running yet? A BBQ s on my short list of projects.
Reply:Pretty nice shop you were in and nice so far Age:17Machine: Lincoln AC 225v Arc WelderMotive: TO learn everything i can about weldin
Reply:Hey! When are we going to see this thing in action???
Reply:In this picture you can see where you didn't get any penetration and ground the weld off completely. Please see the hairline crack on the end of the piece that goes out of the bottum right of the picture.Other than that, it's great work. Attached ImagesThere are no problems. There are only solutions. It's your duty to determine the right one.Hobart Handler 210Airco 225 Amp MSM Stinger
Reply:I like the idea of the winch thingy. I made a similar charcol BBQ out of a 44 gal drum last year. I wanted a grill that could be raised, but at the time was in a big hurry so I left it out. Your design is similar to mine except that I was not going to have the raising cables near the centre of the shaft. I was going to have them directly above the winching point.Have you used it yet ? Does it get harder to winch as you get it higher ?
Reply:I think he put the point near the center so that when it's being wound up the cable auto winds, and doesn't overlap it's self. No chance of the cables getting tangled that way. I really like the simplicity of it.It shouldn't change how difficult it is to wind as the agle shouldn't change as it goes up. because as it winds the cable will get closer to the anchor point.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:Originally Posted by ThorsHammerI think he put the point near the center so that when it's being wound up the cable auto winds, and doesn't overlap it's self. No chance of the cables getting tangled that way. I really like the simplicity of it.It shouldn't change how difficult it is to wind as the agle shouldn't change as it goes up. because as it winds the cable will get closer to the anchor point.
Reply:Great build.We are on our way to being farmers! Our site is always under construction so check back often for updates.  http://www.philosophyfarmstyle.com/
Reply:Can you post a close of of the lock mechanism on the sprocket? Looks great, i like it very much.
Reply:Hey guys I made similar style BBQ.  Here is another way to do an adjusting height grill.  Same idea but instead of sprockets you use stiff valve springs and two nuts.  The raising and lowering is smooth and consistent all the way up and all the way down.