Started another HS shop smoker project Pic Heavy

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The local Fire Dept. asked us to build them a smoker on a trailer.  We decide on a reverse flow smoker and this is what we have got done so far since the beginnig of Feb.We started with a 24" pipe 48" long and added a firebox.  Once this was well in hand we started on the trailer, 2x2x3/16" angle.  After welding up the trailer and setting the smoker on it we found it was a little to flexible for us, so we boxed in the frame rails.  It was a liitle high at the cooking surface so we had to flip the axle inside the spring versus underneath and now we just fixed our middle support clearance issue.  All of the work is being done in our High School shop by 10-12 graders.  They would like to hear some positive yet constructive feedback.  Thanks for looking. Attached Images
Reply:Few more pics Attached Images
Reply:few more pics Attached Images
Reply:one last time Attached Images
Reply:Constructive. No criticism.Those welds look about 25times better than the ones I see on pro fabbed trailers around here!Keep up the good work. Please post pics of the F.D. enjoying their first smoke!!Lincoln Power Mig 210MP MIGLincoln Power Mig 350MP - MIG and Push-PullLincoln TIG 300-300Lincoln Hobby-Weld 110v  Thanks JLAMESCK TIG TORCH, gas diffuser, pyrex cupThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 101My brain
Reply:No kiddin, great job man... Good lookin welds! Did you use MIG for all that or Stick?
Reply:Nice design and nice problem solving for the issues you had.I like the customization...the IFFD on the center hinge (that doesn't keep the lid from opening, does it?)Great real world project and well-fabricated by your students.  They should be proud of themselves.KevKevin / Machine_Punk from The Aerodrome Studio - Lincoln PowerMIG 210 MP - Meco N Midget w/custom welding station - Vintage Victor 100Current Projects: The Aerodrome Studio
Reply:That thing is...SMOKIN!(I couldn't resist...)Motorboating...in the Cleavage of the Tetons
Reply:Nice job but, won't the tire be in the way when you open the grill door? "Every choice you make will effect at least one other person"
Reply:How thick is that pipe? Holy crap!As for the hinge interfering, the two sides are in parallel, not in line(like scissors)
Reply:Some of the welds I see look a bit rushed and could be a bit more consistent, but then I'm somewhat of a perfectionist on these things. I don't really see any I'd rate as "bad", only ones that could use some more work, but then that's why they are there... to practice and learn.I will say the fab and fit up I see is very well done. Much better than I've seen a lot of kids capable of doing around here. I also like the custom hinge. The access to the CNC plasma opens all sorts of opportunities to add high quality details to the project. 1st one that comes to mind is some sort of overlay on the unit in writing, sort of like how Mythbusters welds up their name on a piece of plate. I could see the fire company logo on the round end for example or the fire company name down the back of the unit and really bring attention to the department ( I'm not sure if you have a Vol FD like we do here. Here a unit like that would be used for fundraising events like BBQ cookouts or recruiting efforts and the more "bling" on the unit that advertises the fire company, the better...)I'm also glad to see the kids are getting an opportunity to do some hands on real world projects. I'll assume you also go into things like material estimating and layout efficiency, time planning and order of operations. It's also good that they are seeing that things don't always work out the way you plan they will, and that you often have to adapt to overcome problems that develop for one reason or another during the course of a project.  These skills are probably more important than the actual ability to produce welds in many cases.I'm glad to see your district allows you to make things like this to help support your program. Around here the schools are too worried about liability or avoid the impression they are doing something like this for "profit" ( even if they just break even on materials)..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Looking dam good.....one question...that pipe is way thick....how much does the door weigh to open to the cooking area?..any thoughts on mabe a spring setup to help lift that door?..when it gets hot and slips outa someones grip that could be bad...otherwise, that is built like a tank....Of all the things I lost I miss my mind the most...I know just enough about everything to be dangerous......You cant cure stupid..only kill it...
Reply:i really like it love the hinges (im stealing those lol) well thought out and executed really like the casters being used as a roller to position the body for fab. only one question.....where is the exaust?1979 sa 200victor 100several bfh's several pitbulls (for holding down the floor)
Reply:Exhaust looks like it's the white square tube almost above the fire box that shows up in the 2 picts with the engine hoist..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWExhaust looks like it's the white square tube almost above the fire box that shows up in the 2 picts with the engine hoist.
Reply:Great to see a HS shop so well outfitted and being used. Most schools around here have shuttered their shop programs. I will forever be thankful to my junior high shop teacher for the skills I learned.  Keep up the good work.
Reply:yeah i went back and looked ....2 times lol i must have overlooked it as air duct in the shop lol looks good1979 sa 200victor 100several bfh's several pitbulls (for holding down the floor)
Reply:Nice job so far. You may want to consider counterweights for the door to ofset the weight for opening, and help keep it open once you've got it there.I really like what DSW was talking about with the logos, but I would go 1 step further. I would make them offset/floating so that they can be painted and the heat wont effect the paint. would really give it that "POP" and with the CNC would be pretty simple could even make it out of multiple peices to give it that 3D look.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:How about some outriggers / feet on it front and back so you can level it out without having to keep it attached to the tow vehicle ?and Why not grind the mill scale off for clean bright steel before welding ?http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php...1&d=1364528032
Reply:Question on the design, will this be a smoker and/or grill, or is the build design such that it is a smoker only?Qualified & experienced at welding scrap metal
Reply:So in answer to a couple of questions.  This going to be a smoker only, it will have a counter weight for the lid but it is right in line with the center of gravity when we hoist it on the trailer.  It will go on after the final placement of the smoker. We have some sheet stainless we are going to use for decoration of the smoker/trailer when we get to that stage.  The trailer will have a wood box on the opposite side of the smoker and then there will be 2 large propane burners in the front corners of the trailer with a prep table also.  The propane cylinder will go in the triangle of the toungue area.  Many items to fab up and place on the trailer with 2 short months to go.The plan is to sandblast the whole works after we get it all done and then paint itup for delivery.
Reply:Kids are so lucky to have welders and shop in highschool. My highschool had wood shop and automotive. That's it. Looks great so far!Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:I went to college for welding, and we didn't have a shop that could hold a candle to yours!  And nothing but a small woodshop in HS.  I've got nothing on the project...it looks great to me!Miller Syncrowave 200MillerMatic 180 AutoSetHobart Airforce 500iVictor O/A (80cf)
Reply:i wish i had went to school there.  how many students in the  whole HS?  as i went to rinky dink small town school (k-12 was about 500)  and we certainly didnt have anything like that setup!
Reply:Originally Posted by ifallswelderSo in answer to a couple of questions.  This going to be a smoker only, it will have a counter weight for the lid but it is right in line with the center of gravity when we hoist it on the trailer.  It will go on after the final placement of the smoker. We have some sheet stainless we are going to use for decoration of the smoker/trailer when we get to that stage.  The trailer will have a wood box on the opposite side of the smoker and then there will be 2 large propane burners in the front corners of the trailer with a prep table also.  The propane cylinder will go in the triangle of the toungue area.  Many items to fab up and place on the trailer with 2 short months to go.The plan is to sandblast the whole works after we get it all done and then paint itup for delivery.Originally Posted by forhireGreat to see a HS shop so well outfitted and being used. Most schools around here have shuttered their shop programs. I will forever be thankful to my junior high shop teacher for the skills I learned.  Keep up the good work.
Reply:Originally Posted by fastbubYeah that is the case around here as well. What high school is this if you don't mind me asking. Is it tough to get in to the shop classes? (limited availability of spots) Here the vo-tech is at a remote location shared by several schools so there is very few spots available for kids that could really bebfit fro the program.
Reply:Originally Posted by ThorsHammerNice job so far. You may want to consider counterweights for the door to ofset the weight for opening, and help keep it open once you've got it there.I really like what DSW was talking about with the logos, but I would go 1 step further. I would make them offset/floating so that they can be painted and the heat wont effect the paint. would really give it that "POP" and with the CNC would be pretty simple could even make it out of multiple peices to give it that 3D look.
Reply:Here is a quick update on the smoker we are building, we are running a little behind time wise.  We have three weeks left in the school year.  It is going to be close.  They are not in any kind of order.  We have to burners going on it in the front for a pair of discada's that the students are making also. Attached Images
Reply:Here are a few more pics. Attached Images
Reply:Very nice!tagged smoker"Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"
Reply:Really like the counter weight design and the logo in the stainless. coming along very nicely.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:Here are a few more pics, I brought it home to burn it out and then we need to paint it and do the final assembly. Attached Images
Reply:Originally Posted by ct from shawneeone thing i would like to add here is you guys need to be sure you let your schools  administration ie. "the school board those are the people who decides were the money gets spent " know of what your program is doing and be sure to show em this website and thread it certainly cannot hurt your program and could definitely help you youngsters get jobs when you graduate and or scholarships , again awesome job guys and keep up the good work !!!
Reply:Where are this kids safety glasses?
Reply:He has them on!  They are all clear and hard to see in the picture.
Reply:I hope so.  I "double bag it" with grinding after a cutting wheel explosion.  Never too safe.
Reply:http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php...1&d=1368389984It would be good to countersink those screws in the axe handle.I can see someone branding a hex into their palm if they heat up.Have a look at most bbq's they have ceramic insulators between lid and handle.
Reply:It is basically done, we hand it off on Friday to the Fire Dept.  All that is left is the wiring and a basket for the LP tank so it can be carried on the trailer but set on the ground when the discada burner is being used.  Here are a few pics of what it looks like painted. Attached Images
Reply:This is VERY cool thanks for sharing! Lucky students! Learning some great skills.I have a stupid question- Is there a lock/hasp of some sort to keep the lid closed when driving down the road? The counterweight looks great for making it easy to open but I was envisioning it flapping open every time you hit a bump driving to a location.