smoker build from junk. opinions welcome!!!

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So a guy from work just gave me a small air compressor.  He says it doesn't pump anymore. I'm sure I could probably fix it, but I already have one the same size that works well and my BBQ is about ready to retire. I also have a couple empty refrigerant bottles from work and I could use one as the fire box.  Not the thickest of material but hey its free and I'm all for making something for next to nothing. Anyway here's what I got to work with. I'm thinking of just sticking them together and going from there but I'm open to anyones opinion especially if they have built smokers before. I would also love ideas for materials that are free or next to it for the little odds and ends to get it finished up.
Reply:http://www.thesmokering.comLots of smoker people there.Dan
Reply:There is a calculator, now on its own page, that is very, very helpful.http://www.feldoncentral.com/bbqcalculator.htmlI used that to adjust my measurements when I ventured into smoker country, have fun!City of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:Thanks for the link! I'm gonna get started on it tomorrow.  Will post pics as work progresses
Reply:Got my number 1 helper on the tear down.
Reply:He's all proud.. Since my welder and torch are at work this is as far as we are getting this week. To be continued. ..
Reply:Decided to build a firebox instead of using a refrigerant bottle. Still made from junk tho. The 3/16 plate was the top of an old table that was given to me. The boy didn't get any time with the cutting torch but he was a good hand in cleaning up after the demo. Even let him get a little "guided" hood time in today with the mig. The welds are with 3/32 6011 on the sa 200. 3rd gear and 25 on the rheostat. Ran outta light so gonna have to wait til mornin to start putting it together
Reply:Hey man, I don't want to bum you out but it looks like someone stole your lawn during the week!http://all-a-cart.comWelding Cart Kits and accessories
Reply:yeah it was 70 two days ago and now we got three inches of ice on the ground. Only in Texas!
Reply:Good job! Great you're getting the kiddo involved!
Reply:This is how far we got today.
Reply:I love the size of your cooker.  Great for the yard.  I built a reverse flow to even out the heat in the box.  The calculator referenced earlier is priceless.  If you have enough plate to do a reverse flow you will really love it.  keeps you from flame broiling your ribs on one end.  The other thing I would recommend is for you to pay very close attention to your door seals.  use some strap all the way around to keep your heat from hemorrhaging out.  After that wire brush your door and strap that it closes against.  then spray a coat of pam just on the door edges and wipe off the excess.  Then spread black rtv silicone on your strap and use it liberally.  Shut the door gently and let it sit for a week.  When you open your door you will have a custom seal that will not leak anywhere and won't burn off.  Your firebox door needs an excellent seal also.  and the finer adjustment to your intake the better.  I used a trailer jack to slide my intake open and closed.  Holds 250* at about 1/8" open.  1/16" either direction will give or take 10*.  Good seals save wood.
Reply:I had a store bought smoker given to me about a month ago.  Works really well, food is great.To the point.You will have to be careful of where you place your food.  Mine goes on the far end as it's setup same as yours.  Even a baffle to keep the flames from entering the grill portion should help keep the fire box side from burning.  (will still be a hotter though)  I think a reverse flow is probably the ticket.  Another thought I had was to mount the fire box low to the ground under/behind the grill.  Then for yours run 2 pipes up, mine is a little bigger so 3 to evenly heat the entire thing.  With the fire box centered and not a part of the grill, and also several inputs, the though it my head is it will heat more evenly.Also thinking mounting it low heat rises.  So less heat will be lost then mounting on the side and running heat intakes to try and evenly heat it.
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Reply:Thanks for the replies. Wish I had saw them before I put on the stack. Reverse flow would have been cool. Maybe on the next one. This is just a warm up anyway. The stack is a muffler from a harley. A friend gave the pair to me. After a little hacking and pulling out the guts it seems to be fine.I was really hoping to get a lot more accomplished this weekend, but the wife decided she wanted to have a baby Thursday so I been pretty hooked up with changing diapers and what not. Maybe we will get her all finished next weekend.Last edited by jamesyarbrough; 12-16-2013 at 08:13 PM.
Reply:this is how far we got this weekend.
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Reply:so far the only things I have bought for the project are the stainless hinges. they were on sale for 1.99 at lowes.for $6 investment im pretty happy with the results! thanks for looking. will try to get er finished up next weekend
Reply:Great smoker build with little money invested and you included your kid. Yep I live here in North Texas and the weather is very up and down and I hate it! LOL
Reply:you know what they say. if you dont like the weather in Texas, stay a while.
Reply:Thats awesome.....what are the holes for in the side of your firebox? Are they just for airflow or what....Miller Syncrowave 210 w/CK FlexLoc 150  3/6/14ESAB PCM 1125 Plasma CutterAtlas 12x36 LatheACER 9x42 3hp millHarig 612 Surface GrinderDRINK Machine              welding&fabricationThinking a little looking over your thread.I had the idea of converting my store bought smoker to a reverse flow.  But it's so thin the lid on the grill is warped enough it has about a 3" gap from being closed, just not really worth it.However if you laid a plate on top of the firebox in your grill, just run the plate almost to the other end.  You would have to move the stack, but some careful cutting would yield a good result. I like the cap on the stack, and your firebox handle.I would advise you to get a meat injector.  (got a meat slicer for Christmas "opened early")  Stick of butter, some brown sugar, and some honey injected in a 4 pound ham makes for some real juicy sandwich meat.
Reply:Originally Posted by chevydylThats awesome.....what are the holes for in the side of your firebox? Are they just for airflow or what....
Reply:Originally Posted by kcb37Thinking a little looking over your thread.I had the idea of converting my store bought smoker to a reverse flow.  But it's so thin the lid on the grill is warped enough it has about a 3" gap from being closed, just not really worth it.However if you laid a plate on top of the firebox in your grill, just run the plate almost to the other end.  You would have to move the stack, but some careful cutting would yield a good result. I like the cap on the stack, and your firebox handle.I would advise you to get a meat injector.  (got a meat slicer for Christmas "opened early")  Stick of butter, some brown sugar, and some honey injected in a 4 pound ham makes for some real juicy sandwich meat.
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Reply:with the paint and thermometer and some drill bits the cost is up to $30 now. cant complain.ready to start the next one. it was alot of fun
Reply:Looks great!  What are you going to make with it first?  We should make a smoker sticky thread.
Reply:cooking some chicken on it right now.
Reply:Looks great. I made one in the fall using a similar compressor last fall. Have fun. Smoking is truely an art! RG_______________________Hobart 187Northern Tool Plasma 375Harris 85 O/A Rig (Ireland)
Reply:I hope that young fellas drawing Journeyman Wage! Originally Posted by jamesyarbrough
Reply:Great build and cute little guys.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:Originally Posted by RottguinnessLooks great. I made one in the fall using a similar compressor last fall. Have fun. Smoking is truely an art!
Reply:Originally Posted by Drf255Great build and cute little guys.