Potential Smoker Project (What did I get myself into)

Chances are good it has valve issues. I've been in quite a few T-30 pumps and usually that's the issue. Take off the heads and look for broken parts. I'm guessing you will SEE the failure.

 

A carbide tipped steel cutting blade in a circular saw works surprisingly well.

 

And can be heard the next county over!

 

Very true!

 

No interest in repairing, I am just listing as is. If I got a couple of hundred for it I'd be happy.

I may look into a local fabricator to cut the door out, we'll see..... But if I do it I may just want to do it all myself and just hope it don't come out frankensmoker, lol!

My only concern is it's a beast, wasn't looking for a 120 gallon compressor more like in the 80gal range something a bit more manageable. I wanted to increase my cooking size but not by triple or quadruple, lol.

The stories I hear of things they throw out that are in working condition or in need of minor repairs is astounding. As you know Universities are big businesses they have $$$ coming out the you know what............They replace things on schedules regardless sometimes.

The guy who helped me load it asked for the motor afterwards. I've since been in touch and told him I am listing this thing "AS IS". If I got something for it I'd split with those guys.....

I did cut one weld and removed a few bolts but stopped and kinda at a stand still now. Didn't plan on working on it anyways in this heat. No bites by the time weather breaks this fall, I suppose I'll keep it and make something of it.

Just hope I don't need that trailer for anything, hahah because that thing is a Monster!

 

Old faithful ; " The Gas Axe" would be my weapon of choice.
Should blow through that thing like butta"

 

Metabo blades on a circular saw also work very nicely if. You don’t have a cutting torch. Cutting torch would be my preferred method, then you could buy a 4X8 sheet and get your firebox and all of you hinge brackets out of it.

 

If you do turn it into a smoker, after a while of using it, you'll appreciate the larger rack space.

 

Personally I'd use my plasma but I was thinking about what would be handy for him to acquire.

 

This would work good for those of us without a hot saw.

Wear your plugs AND muffs and go slow. Good option for clean straight cuts.

 

I agree I'd rather have the space, although its big I have the room to keep it.

 

Looked into a plasma but I honestly am out of my element with metal work and seemed over my head a bit with costs, electrical, and needed tools to run it. I will look into a cutting torch but I believe that requires a gas tank. Not sure I wanted to get into all that.

I may just go the back breaking grinder cutting wheel/circular saw route, or have someone cut for me.

All great info, thanks all!!!

 

Look into “makers space” near you. They have tools that you can pay a fee to use. I would guess they would have somebody on hand to give you pointers.

 

Good idea Warner. I know that there are some spaces like that in our local city.

It could turn into a rather large and involved project for someone just starting out on a project like this.
Like everything else the initial investment for equipment is not cheap for someone starting out.
Not to mention that a lot of things like " free scrap" and cheap labor have pretty much set sail.

 

And a face shield, towel over the head going over your neck, long sleeves and a place to dance around when a chip flies in your ear......

 

Like the hot slag from a torch. You know, when it enters your ear and you hear it sizzle around before it puts itself out.

 

The ole ear wax sizzle... love it!
Almost as much fun as a red hot down in your shoe!

 

Years ago, when I did a daily, my shoelaces were literally a piece of wire. Why I don’t miss that!

 

And you keep welding so you don't mess up the bead...

 

Got offered $700 for it, guy came and looked at it last night.

Live around the corner from me!

Kinda torn was hoping I'd get offered 1k + making me want to let it go. Still leaning on holding onto it and turning into a smoker, I'll prob pay $300 - $600 finding a compressor that thick