3 tier rig build started

i started my rig build today. i stole some ideas from other rigs on here.
i am using 2" box for the bottom and the "mast." the burner plates and cooler holder will be made from 1.5" box.

tips? ideas?


24' cut down to pieces

bottom frame tacked

ugh, its been a while. its getting ugly

this thing is older than my dad, and it still works like a champ. if only i was any good at using it.

things are getting a little better. switched to a smaller rod

the grinding wheel doesnt care how ugly your welds are

capped the top. doing the bottom legs now.

more pictures to come.

cell phone camera might not be good enough quality. i 'll grab my good one later.

so i was thinking about using some sort of roller syatem instead of a steel sleeve to raise and lower the bottom level. this way it wont tear up the paint.

i am terrible at these computer programs, but maybe something like this.

if you kinda get the idea?


the red would be rollers 2 on one side, one on the other.

the main base is done, kind of. time to think about "shelves"

ok, the base is done(not painted yet.) all of the burner stands are cut. the HLT stand is welded but i didnt fit a grate in there yet. i also havent figured out what i am going to use for burners yet. i plan to steal the one from my turkey fryer for the hlt, and possibly one from a 250,000 BTU drywall heater for my BK. or i might just buy a banjo burner

Looks great so far. I like the roller idea on the sleeve.

the top tier is on. i was standing on it, and i weigh about 280, so i think it will hold.


the bottom 2 tiers are framed out. i need to cut the grates and wele the one on, and then make the roller system for the bk tier.

jonp9576 said:

ok, the base is done(not painted yet.) all of the burner stands are cut. the HLT stand is welded but i didnt fit a grate in there yet. i also havent figured out what i am going to use for burners yet. i plan to steal the one from my turkey fryer for the hlt, and possibly one from a 250,000 BTU drywall heater for my BK. or i might just buy a banjo burner

Click to expand...

Lookin' good!

I used these burners- $8 each from Agri- Supply:




The pic isn't the best, but I'm happy with the burners.

i dont see a pic

jonp9576 said:

i dont see a pic

Click to expand...

Really? Weird. It's there for me.

Here's a linky instead.

wow, that looks perfect. real cheap too. i might grab a couple

I use the same ones. They work fine. Get a 0-20 psi regulator and they'll provide more BTUs that you really need.

Lil' Sparky said:

I use the same ones. They work fine. Get a 0-20 psi regulator and they'll provide more BTUs that you really need.

Click to expand...

LOL. I bought a 0-60 regulator at the local Menard's. Overkill, I know, but it was the only one they had that went past 10psi. I just don't let it go wide open.

ok, the middle rack is on. tomorrows project is to put a grate on the burner rack, and then build some sort of support for it while its in the down position. and if theres time, work on the roller system to make the bottom tier move up and down to drain into the fermenter

I'm trying to picture your roller system- are you putting some sort of rollers into a sleeve that goes over the trunk???

yes. if you look at the original pictures, you might be able to get the idea. its a rough drawing, but its making sense in my head

i bought a bunch of pieces for it. i'll take a bunch of pictures tomorrow when i am trying to get it together

What did you use for the grates?

its called bar grating. i just put it in upside down to make it flush on top with the top of the 1 1/2" frame
http://www.accuratealloys.com/images/bar-grating-05.gif

i'll take a picture of how i attached it later

Where did you get the grates. My plan was to install something similar on my 3 tier. Pics would be great, thanks.

I really don't think you need a roller system. I think a 6" high sleeve that just fit over the main mast is fine. Are you going to use a boat winch to lift? Maybe a scissor jack?

*subscribed* Interested in your lift design

Bobby_M said:

I really don't think you need a roller system. I think a 6" high sleeve that just fit over the main mast is fine. Are you going to use a boat winch to lift?

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That's the way I did it. But I think he's pretty much resigned to the roller system, since he's got the base and the upper tiers welded on already. There's no way to get a sleeve on there without taking things apart. Hopefully he is able to assemble his roller system around the trunk..........

the roller system is intended to keep the paint nice and fresh looking. with a sleeve i figured it would scrape up and down and remove the paint. the roller "should" leave the paint job. thats it. no real big reason

brew ta something... the grates i has just laying around here. if you fins a steel dealer near you, they should have it. i know the one near me does. i am sure thats where we got this years ago, but i found this just laying around our shop here.

here is the basic idea for the roller.

This looks interesting. Can't wait to see the finished product.

brewtasaurus heres a pic of the grate.

i started painting today with high temp paint.

Those are great, where do you get them?

the grates we had just laying around here at our shop.

there is a place right up the street from us called hoover steel. they sell all types of metal and such. i know they have it, so i am sure if you find a steel dealer around you just give them a call.

i just googled parker, co and steel and found this place. if they dont have it i am sure they would know who does have it.

Parker Steel - The Largest Supplier of Metric Sized Metals in North America

Very nice. I like the roller idea.

so this roller thing is turning into a real PITA. the balance os so off and when the BK is full the balance will be oven more off so its pretty much like a sleeve any way because when it goes up and down its still shredding the paint. i might try to re think it and see what i can come up with

instead of rollers, try solid Teflon block with rounded edges on the support side of the block's edges. It will be slick enough for a smooth slide and won't allow any tilting of the sleeze when weight is pulling on one side assuming you cut it to proper size not allowing any movement between it and the support.

How about laminating some thin polypropelyne sheet to both plates and using those as the front/back leverage surfaces? 1/8 X 12 X 12 Polypropylene Sheet

In other words, you'd be turning your current assembly 90 degrees.

irregular and bobby. both great ideas. i'll look into those sheets. i was thinking about something to slide up and down. or i need to come up with a much better roller system. i knew it was too easy to put together and work well. it works, but just not well. i also need to think about balance. with wither 5 or 10 galons, its gonna be pulling down differently.

new idea for the lift




my showed my dad my lift idea and show him how it was crappy. he gave me this. said it was off of an old lathe. i cleaned it up and got it turning well. i welded an old socket to the top. next i am going to add some weight and see how well it lifts.

Very cool and free stuff usually works best anyway! Or maybe we just tend to complain less when it doesn't.

well said. ...