New guy from Mid Mo

[JPinSTL]

I was a lurker FOREVER. I'm your regular 40yr old guy with too many projects and too little time.

Between the day job (IT Guy), long commute (55 each way) to the city, the hobby (fire pits) job, 5 acres of grass (we live on 10) to mow, and oh yeah wife and 2 kids, I hardly have any "shop" time.

The workshop is/was too much accumulated "inventory" and not enough space. Upcoming threads will hopefully address the space and organizational issues. I tore the roof off the pole barn and then raised and expanded it. Next time I will burn it for the insurance money and start over, I swear!!

 

[HOTFR8]

Welcome to the GJ.

 

[PelicanPines]

Welcome to GJ.

May I suggest... keep the wife, burn the lawn... , sell the kids (optional) , retire early... you will still have a to do list longer than your arm.

 

[starquestMM]

Welcome from Mid Mo

 

[drivesitfar]

JPin: it looks like you are in the right place.

you might want to edit your first post just in case you are a smidgen serious about the fire.

speaking of fire can you post a few pictures of the firepits you are building?

welcome

 

[8comm13]

Welcome to the GJ.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Hello and welcome aboard JPinSTL, too many projects and not enough time, sounds familiar.

 

[Rogue1987]

Welcome from South STL!

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[bczygan]

Welcome to GJ!

 

[JPinSTL]

Welcome from South STL!

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

My previous house was behind DuBourg in STL Hills off Hampton. I commute to DogTown area weekdays.

 

[JPinSTL]

JPin: it looks like you are in the right place.

you might want to edit your first post just in case you are a smidgen serious about the fire.

speaking of fire can you post a few pictures of the firepits you are building?

welcome

It would have been much easier, I'm only half serious I spent 2-3 wks emptying the shop. Luckily my neighbor got rid of his horses and was heading out of town. He let me stash my stuff in half of his barn during the rebuild.

It then took 3 days to tear things down to the point we could start expanding.

We are on 10 acres, if I need more space next time I'm just going to build a 2nd building behind it.

 

[JPinSTL]

I make fire kettles from old propane tanks. The HF 95136 plasma cutter is the best money I ever spent there. I've got 1000's of feet of 1/4" steel with it. Next one will be a HyperTherm though. I also have their tubing roller with the pipe threader powering it with a kit from Swag OffRoad. I use the roller for making the foot rests. Kettle legs are made from 2-7/8" drill stem pipe. The tank ends are 1/4" thick, no fear of anything burning through, last forever.

 

[bczygan]

Your pits are NOT the pits!

 

[drivesitfar]

JPin: those fire pits are awesome looking. what size propane tanks are you using to make them because they look pretty big? also what size are the fire pits?

great idea.

do you have any questions about the forum just ask or hope you find that you are learning something every time you log on like i and many other members do.

cheers

 

[JPinSTL]

JPin: those fire pits are awesome looking. what size propane tanks are you using to make them because they look pretty big? also what size are the fire pits?

cheers

Mostly the 500 gallon size, which is fairly common around here. The tanks weigh 1000lbs and my Kubota can barely handle them so I avoid buying bigger. Tanks though are getting hard to buy. The kettles end up either 36" or 41" diameter depending on the tank and weigh about 150lbs. Since they are 1/4" thick they will last forever.

 

[drivesitfar]

JPin: what do you sell your pits for and do you have a web site in case anybody is looking for one. i'm not sure what the rules are about joining and putting your website in your signature so maybe check to see or ask a Mod if you don't find your answer.


500-1000 pound propane tanks are not common up here in the city, but there are a few in the country where they use them to heat their homes. very cool idea and did you think of it or copy a friend's?

 

[JPinSTL]

PM me for details, don't want to pimp my wares. Shipping usually kills the deal anyway.

I'd been wanting to make one for yrs but never came across a tank for reasonable. Was at the scrap yard one day and got lucky. Started cold calling propane dealers and found a few more. It is usually feast or famine and you have to be ready to buy tanks with cash and make the drive to get them.

 

[drivesitfar]

JPin: good answer. one thing that might help you sell a few more is Fastenal has great shipping rates for heavier items if you can strap them down to a pallet and drop them off at a store with a fork lift. PM me for details or call your local Fastenal store.

some of the Fastenal stores don't have a clue so if yours doesn't PM me and i'll get you a list of the nearest one to you.

cheers and again welcome to our site.

 

[rburke65]

Hello and welcome from Ohio! Pits look very nice!

 

[Richard Cranium]

Hello and Welcome to the group from Yakima Washington

 

[Cypherian]

Welcome ,

Though you may wish to leave now as soon you will be planning that second building for your shop and the wife will be forwarding your mail to it lol. Nice job on the fire pits got me to thinking I might make one for myself all the ones I see for sale are thing guage stuff.

Cypher