Modification on homemade 55 gallon smoker (UDS)

[marcusrench]

I am going to build a second, homemade Ugly Drum Smoker and have a question about an adjustment I would like to make. The bolts that are inserted into the drum and hold the grates are a little aggravating. So I would like to make them retractable. The only way I see to do that, is to use inside/outside threaded nuts and then screw in bolts at my desire elevation.
I wonder if someone has figure this out already?
Or, maybe someone has devised a sliding system?

Thanks,

Marcus
DIPA

[Huskee]

I don't know much about mods of this sort...but thinking out loud here, I assume simply tilting the grate and moving it up or down to another set of bolts then squaring it up to rest on them won't work?

[marcusrench]

Yes Huskee, but that is what bothers me and why I started rethinking the design before I build another one.

[Powersmoke_80]

These would work nicely from McMastercarr

https://www.mcmaster.com/#retractable-spring-plungers/=15fce2i

Retractable Spring Plunger with L-Handle

Steel, Lock Nose, 3/8"-16 Thread, .3-1.3 lb. Nose Force

[lschweig]

How about welding nuts to the outside and then putting wing bolts in from the outside and or then use Powersmoke_80 's idea.

[rat88]

the metal adjustable shelf channels work great for this. The shelf brackets are easy to remove and adjust height when needed.

[RonB]

How about drilling three holes 120 degrees apart and using 1/8" ss rod as supports. The top of the rod should be bent at ~ 45 degrees, and the bottom bent at 90 degrees. The top bend would go in the holes just drilled, and the 90 degree bend would support the grate. You can make a set of rods for each different height you want the grate supported. Or you could drill several sets of holes at different heights and use one set of rods.

[johnec00]

marcusrench Here's a cheapskate's version of Powersmoke_80's suggestion:

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It's just a hex bolt with a hole drilled through the centerline and an appropriately sized nail slid through.