I wanted to make a cold smoke box that was larger than the Bradley one so that I could leave it as a permanent set-up and use for cold or hot smoke. I previously posted my disastrous attempt at making a cold smoke box out of an old compact refrigerator. That didn't work so I went to Plan B, Here are the "plans" I was working to:
1) Make it out of plywood that I had in the garage
2) Line the inside with sheet metal (used flashing)
3)Bought some Bradley legs and those bolts that the SG hooks onto.
4) Make a door that uses a magnetic rubber gasket like the refrigerator had
5) make it big enough to fit a large water pan for when I used it for long hot smokes.
6) make it nice but not at the expense of a lot of time (wasted enough time on the refrigerator)
7) make sure it doesn't "leak" smoke
First I cut out the plywood sides, back, top and bottom. Then I painted them with white primer.Then I cut flashing to fit each piece and used permatex red to bond the flashing to the plywood pieces.
Here is a pic of the plywood with the flashing glued on, the pieces stacked and in a homemade clamp set up.
(http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b476/gusrobin/IMG_0802.jpg)
Next I started to assemble the pieces.
(http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b476/gusrobin/IMG_0804.jpg)
I used permatex to seal the the seams. Then I flipped it over and added the legs I bought from Bradley.
(http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b476/gusrobin/IMG_0803.jpg)
Here it is painted and the holes for the SG and the top vent drilled.
(http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b476/gusrobin/IMG_0805.jpg)
I added the bolts (from Bradley) to hang the SG and did a fit check -- all worked fine
(http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b476/gusrobin/IMG_0806.jpg)
Next I made a frame for the front (thought I took a picture but guess not).
Then I cut out strips of sheet metal and glued them to the front frame. This is for the magnetic door to stick to.
Here is a picture of the frame attached and the strips glued and clamped. You can see the metal vent I have in the top hole. On the side hole I used HVAC metal tape as a vent wasn't practical with the SG hooking up there.
(http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b476/gusrobin/IMG_0808.jpg)
I took the magnetic rubber gasket from the refrigerator and cut it to size. I then cut out a piece of metal and screwed and glued the metal and gasket to the inside of the door. Here it is clamped and drying.
(http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b476/gusrobin/IMG_0807.jpg)
Here it is all assembled. Had to do some tweaking with the door and the gasket but got it to work perfectly with just a little effort.
You can see the metal strips on the front of the box. I didn't paint the inside part of the front frame since I couldn't find a paint I knew was safe for sure and I didn't want to spend the effort.
(http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b476/gusrobin/IMG_0809.jpg)
Here it is installed in the "Bradley House". (The part on the left that is flipped up is the part where I think the leak is coming from when it rains)
(http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b476/gusrobin/IMG_0815.jpg)
A close up of the smoke box.
(http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b476/gusrobin/IMG_0813.jpg)
So now that it is done, I have to christen it. Good day to do some cheese. Here it is with the pucks just starting to burn. Notice the larger water pan.
(http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b476/gusrobin/IMG_0812.jpg)
We have smoke! And no unwanted leaks.
(http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b476/gusrobin/IMG_0817.jpg)
Here is the Bradley House buttoned up. Started to make a replacement for the part that leaked,and looks like it is time to refinish.
(http://i1047.photobucket.com/albums/b476/gusrobin/IMG_0818.jpg)
So all in all I am quite satisfied with the end product. There were more cosmetic things I could have done such as sand the plywood ( it was rough grade) but I went for functional or spending a lot of time on looks. All together it took about 3 days but a lot of that was drying time for the paint and sealants.
Very nice setup Gus.
Sent from my iPhone 5 using Tapatalk
Great job Gus! ;)
Nice job on the box and the Bradley house. I see you even have the house on wheels.
Great job Gus!
Very nice! Had something along those lines planned for mine. Not sure when i can get to it. But as i have 2. BRADLEY S.G. thought i may put both in. Was wondering what the double smoke wood do.
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Nicely done.
Great job. You don't mind if I copy some those ideas eh?
Nice job Gus!
wow! Nice setup. wish I had a way to cut sheet metal.
Quote from: DetroitSmoke on November 12, 2012, 07:17:06 AM
wow! Nice setup. wish I had a way to cut sheet metal.
With standard flashing or even 22 gauge sheet metal, you can cut it easily with a pair of tin snips.
Mark (in Ottawa)
Quote from: DetroitSmoke on November 12, 2012, 07:17:06 AM
wow! Nice setup. wish I had a way to cut sheet metal.
Actually I cut it with a sharp box cutter. Score it a number of times, place it along the edge of a table or other surface and bend it along the score. Bend it back and forth and it snaps cleanly. The trick it to get a deep score which took a few cuts along the same line.
Niiiiiice!
Nice Job Gus!
Very Nice! Well thought out.