Hutch's Mack build
- hutcho
- Needs more Steel
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Re: Hutch's Mack build
Well I just feel silly now.....
They were threatening to give me a picture if I didn't have one. Figured they changed this too lol!
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They were threatening to give me a picture if I didn't have one. Figured they changed this too lol!
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- hutcho
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Re: Hutch's Mack build
Up at 5 to put a pork butt on for dinner.
My poor Bradley is beat to hell. Hence the Mack build. To make sense of the picture, the busted microwave is my coldsmoke box, glass finally broke out after like 2 or 3 years of use so foil is temporary fix. Has dual elements and you can just barely see the Auber PID controller mounted in the Bradley box. I don't run Bradley pucks anymore either, use an a-maze-n with pellets. Nice part is I can set it and go weld and not even think of it until it's done lol!
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My poor Bradley is beat to hell. Hence the Mack build. To make sense of the picture, the busted microwave is my coldsmoke box, glass finally broke out after like 2 or 3 years of use so foil is temporary fix. Has dual elements and you can just barely see the Auber PID controller mounted in the Bradley box. I don't run Bradley pucks anymore either, use an a-maze-n with pellets. Nice part is I can set it and go weld and not even think of it until it's done lol!

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- hutcho
- Needs more Steel
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Re: Hutch's Mack build
Pork butt was awesome as usual!
Not as productive as planned. Ran out of wire and on the way to town deemed my truck unsafe to keep driving. So stole the wife's car and ran out of time before I had to go get the kids.
Got the baffle plate in and the front of the cook chamber pieces in. Started to figure out the firebox before I ran outta time. Everything except the baffle plate is welded 100% at this point.
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Not as productive as planned. Ran out of wire and on the way to town deemed my truck unsafe to keep driving. So stole the wife's car and ran out of time before I had to go get the kids.
Got the baffle plate in and the front of the cook chamber pieces in. Started to figure out the firebox before I ran outta time. Everything except the baffle plate is welded 100% at this point.

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- Big T
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Re: Hutch's Mack build
It looks like you're making great progress. 

Measure Twice.....Cut Three Times.
- Dirtytires
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Re: Hutch's Mack build
Nobody really answered this....and you just bought new wire so an answer probably isnt needed.
For some reason, I have absolutely no luck running 0.030 wire. Don’t know why. My welds just look ugly and I get a ton of splatter (and I use co2/argon). I usually keep 0.025 on the machine but will feed the thicker stuff if I’m going to weld a lot of heavy/thick material as it does give me better penetration. With that said, much of my smoker was welded on both sides so the thinner wire was just fine most of the time.
You are probably ok either way but the 0.030 would be preferable.
For some reason, I have absolutely no luck running 0.030 wire. Don’t know why. My welds just look ugly and I get a ton of splatter (and I use co2/argon). I usually keep 0.025 on the machine but will feed the thicker stuff if I’m going to weld a lot of heavy/thick material as it does give me better penetration. With that said, much of my smoker was welded on both sides so the thinner wire was just fine most of the time.
You are probably ok either way but the 0.030 would be preferable.
- hutcho
- Needs more Steel
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- Joined: October 12th, 2017, 3:25 pm
Re: Hutch's Mack build
I bought the bigger stuff today. I was doing just fine with the smaller, was taking time and going slower to account for it some. Switched to the bigger stuff and I am cruising along twice as fast now lol! Maybe it's just me or my machine but it definitely is looking a lot nicer and faster to boot. I've been doing up both sides as well. Flipping this heavy beast back and forth to make easier welds is starting to take it's toll on my body....
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- Dirtytires
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- ajfoxy
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Re: Hutch's Mack build
Buy yourself an engine stand, make a jig to hold the Mack and turn it for welding etc. Once finished, purchase large quantities of beer and invite your buddies around to get it off the stand... 

Learning generally boils down to "Repetition or the avoidance of pain", some people learn by doing, some by watching and some just have to pee on the electric fence.
Whether you think that you can, or that you can't, you are usually right. Henry Ford
Whether you think that you can, or that you can't, you are usually right. Henry Ford
- Tom_Heath
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Re: Hutch's Mack build
Wow. Just wow!!!
Glad you made it home in one piece.
Progress looks great
Welding wire. I can weld with 030 or 035 with co2 on my old cheep clark welder and it looks and performs amazing. My little Miller hates it. Runs much better on c25 035
My input would be to run what feels good and has penetration.
Response to a post early on.... yes it was precut but no it definitely is not a kit such as the double pan.
Not so sure a typical engine stand would weather the storm. I’ve had a big block or two hanging on a stand and let’s just say I didn’t get my feet under it. Just saying.
Awesome job man and please keep us posted.
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Glad you made it home in one piece.
Progress looks great
Welding wire. I can weld with 030 or 035 with co2 on my old cheep clark welder and it looks and performs amazing. My little Miller hates it. Runs much better on c25 035
My input would be to run what feels good and has penetration.
Response to a post early on.... yes it was precut but no it definitely is not a kit such as the double pan.
Not so sure a typical engine stand would weather the storm. I’ve had a big block or two hanging on a stand and let’s just say I didn’t get my feet under it. Just saying.
Awesome job man and please keep us posted.
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- hutcho
- Needs more Steel
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Re: Hutch's Mack build
Cherry picker has been doing a pretty good job, I just weld a chain on the side and lift away. Flipping it side to side is a little tougher, but can usually raise it enough with a pry bar to get a floor jack under then gravity work in my favor. I don't see me flipping it again, its on the car lift and staying now. Pretty nice to be able to raise it up to a comfortable working height instead of bendig over all day lol!
Won't be working on it for a few days now unfortunately. Today is my last day off and my boy woke up sick so I'll be hanging out inside cleaning and disinfecting stuff all day lol! Hopefully have some progress to show around Tuesday or so.
Thanks for all the help but advice and encouragement so far! I look forward to reading replies every day.
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Won't be working on it for a few days now unfortunately. Today is my last day off and my boy woke up sick so I'll be hanging out inside cleaning and disinfecting stuff all day lol! Hopefully have some progress to show around Tuesday or so.
Thanks for all the help but advice and encouragement so far! I look forward to reading replies every day.
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- hutcho
- Needs more Steel
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Re: Hutch's Mack build
Working on the firebox some today.
Question. Is it ok to weld around this roxul insulation?
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Question. Is it ok to weld around this roxul insulation?

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- hutcho
- Needs more Steel
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Re: Hutch's Mack build
Got the firebox all welded up and the bottom of the wc welded up. FB door is just tacked together. Gonna try and start framing in FB door tommorow, hopefully get that and WC doors on and working is the goal.
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- Big T
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- mp4
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Re: Hutch's Mack build
Yup - it might burn away just a smidge at the joint but that's all.hutcho wrote:Question. Is it ok to weld around this roxul insulation?![]()
- Smurf
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- hutcho
- Needs more Steel
- Posts: 128
- Joined: October 12th, 2017, 3:25 pm
Re: Hutch's Mack build
Pretty frustrating morning fighting out of square stuff and crooked grinder cuts. On top of that the door I built yesterday turned out to be just a shade to tall so had to cut it apart and modify it. Then didn't like how much further the firebox door was gonna stick out further than the wc so ended up trimming about a 1/4inch off the whole FB door frame. That's where the crooked cuts came from. Anyway, after a lot of time with a grinder I finally made some progress today. Fb door is insulated and tacked together, scared to finish welding it still lol! Slide gate is in and functioning good. WC door frame is tacked in but not squared up yet. Gotta work night shift next rotation so probably gonna stay up all night working on the smoker so I can sleep all day and be adjusted for nights again lol!
And now for the pictures!!
Well shoot. Had a couple videos but can't get them to load. The door is sitting on the table because it's so heavy it makes the smoker tipsy on the lift lol!

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And now for the pictures!!
Well shoot. Had a couple videos but can't get them to load. The door is sitting on the table because it's so heavy it makes the smoker tipsy on the lift lol!


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- hutcho
- Needs more Steel
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Re: Hutch's Mack build
See if these videos work.
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- ajfoxy
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Re: Hutch's Mack build
Door opens and closes nicely. 

Learning generally boils down to "Repetition or the avoidance of pain", some people learn by doing, some by watching and some just have to pee on the electric fence.
Whether you think that you can, or that you can't, you are usually right. Henry Ford
Whether you think that you can, or that you can't, you are usually right. Henry Ford
- hutcho
- Needs more Steel
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- The Czar
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Re: Hutch's Mack build
Sweet...cursing right along...I mean cruising...
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- Frank_Cox
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Re: Hutch's Mack build
hahaha
hutcho... you are doing amazing!!! looks just like the original!!!



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- hutcho
- Needs more Steel
- Posts: 128
- Joined: October 12th, 2017, 3:25 pm
Re: Hutch's Mack build
Well didn't sleep in like I planned so since I was awake I worked some on the Mack. Not a lot to show. Got the pieces between the fb and wc welded up and ground smooth, looks way nicer now. Got the whole door on and swinging nice. And found the drain in the parts bag so it's on as well. Not a lot of huge progress but it all needs done so it's a win. Now to try and get a couple hours of sleep before this stupid night shift starts. 


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- Big T
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Re: Hutch's Mack build
It's all the details that take time but it's worth it in the end.


Measure Twice.....Cut Three Times.
- Frank_Cox
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Re: Hutch's Mack build



Coming right along bro! Hope the night shift treats ya right!

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- hutcho
- Needs more Steel
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- Joined: October 12th, 2017, 3:25 pm
Re: Hutch's Mack build
There is nothing good about night shift lol!Frank_Cox wrote:![]()
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Coming right along bro! Hope the night shift treats ya right!
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