Mini GF Son's HS Project
- Sand Hiller
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Mini GF Son's HS Project
In an earlier thread I was looking for ideas for a project for my son's High School welding class. There was a policy stating "NO SMOKERS". This story has a happy ending or beginning, if you will. I purchased the Mini GF plans and argued my case. Thanks to the detailed plans and the promise of support (it says something when there is a phone number and a name right on the plans!) the build begins. It'll be a slow one...only 1+ hr a day 3 days a week (on a good week!) but I'll try to post pics as he gets going.
I'm sure there will be Q's along the way!
I'm sure there will be Q's along the way!
The two most powerful warriors are patience and time--LT
- Tom_Heath
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Re: Mini GF Son's HS Project
Shoot me a message and I will reply with my number also. That way if they have questions they will have a better chance to talk to one of us. We all have other jobs as well as the plans. So if one of us is busy maybe one won't be.
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- KarateDoc
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Re: Mini GF Son's HS Project
That is awesome!
Looks at a piece of meat and wonders how many ways can I smoke that.
Here is my build of the Stump's Clone viewtopic.php?f=56&t=5280
Here is my build of the Stump's Clone viewtopic.php?f=56&t=5280
- Squiggle
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Re: Mini GF Son's HS Project
Very cool, can't wait for pics! 

Formerly known as "Hey you there in the bushes!"
- Big T
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- Dirtytires
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Re: Mini GF Son's HS Project
You have more support than you know. Congrats on the project....now ask away.
- Rodcrafter
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Re: Mini GF Son's HS Project
Great project
Making memories.
Making memories.
Current Smokers: Backyard RF Offset and Hybrid RF Offset trailer rig with Cowboy cooker and fish fryer, always room for more........
- Sand Hiller
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Re: Mini GF Son's HS Project
My son is ordering steel this week. I helped him with a rough BOM and came up with approx. 65 ft of square tubing and roughly 50 square feet of 16 ga. Keep in mind this was "dirty math"! Does that sound close?
A more accurate BOM is in the works (unless someone has already has one for a mini...hint hint)
Where did you guys source your insulation?
Probably have alot of questions as we get rolling!
A more accurate BOM is in the works (unless someone has already has one for a mini...hint hint)
Where did you guys source your insulation?
Probably have alot of questions as we get rolling!
The two most powerful warriors are patience and time--LT
- Tom_Heath
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Re: Mini GF Son's HS Project
BBQ smoker supply has the insulation. It is the exact same thing that we use at smokerbuilder HQ. back in the day I found some a little closer and a little cheaper but it wasn't worth it. It was a real pain in my tail.
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- Sand Hiller
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Re: Mini GF Son's HS Project
Thanks Tom! I was looking at the kit they have with hinges, latches, etc...I take a look at the insulation.
The two most powerful warriors are patience and time--LT
- Sand Hiller
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Re: Mini GF Son's HS Project
Tom this is ringing in my head as I have the local lumberyard (smalltown mom and pop...not the big box!) looking for insulation. They found 1.5x24x48 mineral wool with a 1200 deg rating. I realize that the Roxul that SmokerParts has is rated to 2000.back in the day I found some a little closer and a little cheaper but it wasn't worth it. It was a real pain in my tail.
Will this lower rating work?
Not old fashioned or afraid to order....Just trying to keep the local yard open...he's gotten me out of too many pickles!
BTW---have fun in SE KS! was trying to squeeze the trip in but too much goin' on! Next time!
The two most powerful warriors are patience and time--LT
- Dirtytires
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- Sand Hiller
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Re: Mini GF Son's HS Project
Thanks DT.
There is a big delta sometimes between what feels good and what is right. Would much rather have the latter!
There is a big delta sometimes between what feels good and what is right. Would much rather have the latter!
The two most powerful warriors are patience and time--LT
- Sand Hiller
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Re: Mini GF Son's HS Project
I apologize updates aren't as frequent. Getting a progress report out of a teenage boy other than "yeah...been workin' on it" or "hey, they need more money for steel" is a little tough! PT conferences were this week. Instructor said all the frame is cut and the insulation is going in. Sorry no pics. I put a bug in the instructors ear about that too!
There's a fine line between wanting to know what's going on and not being "one of those" helicopter parents! I'm a firm believer in "you expect what you inspect". Try to explain that to a teenager!
There's a fine line between wanting to know what's going on and not being "one of those" helicopter parents! I'm a firm believer in "you expect what you inspect". Try to explain that to a teenager!
The two most powerful warriors are patience and time--LT
- Rodcrafter
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Re: Mini GF Son's HS Project
That is a great report! You must be feeling a little powerless.
Making memories!
Making memories!
Current Smokers: Backyard RF Offset and Hybrid RF Offset trailer rig with Cowboy cooker and fish fryer, always room for more........
- Sand Hiller
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Re: Mini GF Son's HS Project
Just want him to have success with this thing. It is a little hard for me not to physically see progress but If he follows the plans he'll be just fine. I've shared links to the build threads here so he can see examples. I know that helped me build the RF! I'll just keep the money rollin'!
I'm anticipating about $650 out the door. Is that comparable to what the other mini builders have seen?
I'm anticipating about $650 out the door. Is that comparable to what the other mini builders have seen?
The two most powerful warriors are patience and time--LT
- Rodcrafter
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Re: Mini GF Son's HS Project
That is cheap for a Gravity Feed smoker. I don't know how much others are spending but a baby stumps is about $4000.00
Making memories!
Making memories!
Current Smokers: Backyard RF Offset and Hybrid RF Offset trailer rig with Cowboy cooker and fish fryer, always room for more........
- Squiggle
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Re: Mini GF Son's HS Project
I spent about $1200AUD on mine, so about $40USD hahaha(stoopid Aussie dollar!!) 
Seriously though, about $850USD but stuff here is a bit more expensive than in the US.
I know it must be hard & teenagers are useless communicators, I have a 17yr old daughter who's main vocabulary consists of yeah, nah, yeah but nah & meow!

Seriously though, about $850USD but stuff here is a bit more expensive than in the US.

I know it must be hard & teenagers are useless communicators, I have a 17yr old daughter who's main vocabulary consists of yeah, nah, yeah but nah & meow!

Formerly known as "Hey you there in the bushes!"
- Big T
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Re: Mini GF Son's HS Project
Good to hear that there's progress being made, small steps are better than no steps.
Measure Twice.....Cut Three Times.
- Tom_Heath
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Re: Mini GF Son's HS Project
The stuff from a local yard rated at 1200 ish is about what I used. The main difference I found was the box store yard product will be more like batt insulation vs a more ridged product that we use. What we use is more like a very dense foam board. It cuts easy with a good knife and holds the cut shape well.
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--->Are you interested in building smokers for profit?
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- Sand Hiller
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Re: Mini GF Son's HS Project
Thanks guys. I'll check into cost a little closer. I may just have the first bill for steel.....More to come I bet. Even so not paying for consumables will make a difference.
Tom, The insulation my guy found is solid/dense. Almost looked like a thick suspended ceiling tile (without the finish). I was expecting a bat type like you described. Maybe got lucky? Guess its better to lucky than good! Ha!
Tom, The insulation my guy found is solid/dense. Almost looked like a thick suspended ceiling tile (without the finish). I was expecting a bat type like you described. Maybe got lucky? Guess its better to lucky than good! Ha!
The two most powerful warriors are patience and time--LT
- Rodcrafter
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Re: Mini GF Son's HS Project
Yes more often than not
Making memories!
Making memories!
Current Smokers: Backyard RF Offset and Hybrid RF Offset trailer rig with Cowboy cooker and fish fryer, always room for more........
- Tom_Heath
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Re: Mini GF Son's HS Project
Sounds like you got the good stuff. That's awesome.
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--->Are you interested in building smokers for profit?
Click here : Shoot me a PM to learn about a new opportunity launching soon!
- Dirtytires
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Re: Mini GF Son's HS Project
If you come anywhere close to $400 I'd put it into production! Don't forget you will tack on another hundred for a few temp gauges and a bit more for sandblast and paint. Still, great budget.
- Sand Hiller
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Re: Mini GF Son's HS Project
My son and I have his Mini home from school. From what I saw when we went to pick it up it was one of the more complex projects. I'm proud of what he did as a first time welder! There's a few details left to finish but it'll be smoking soon!
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The two most powerful warriors are patience and time--LT