Finally built my miniWSM

[Bman]

As any good story should start out, this build got up-and-running with a Craigslist freebie. Complete with the Match Light & lighter fluid. <shaking head>
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The $21 pot from Target. The rim was a hair too big for the Joe lid, but a light squeeze with an F clamp around the perimeter was all it took. 2 minutes...
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Since I can't do anything easy, I'm creating a "WEBER" mini. 
Printed the logo on Avery paper and stuck it to vinyl shelf paper. Getting ready to cut it out.
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At this point, I used more shelf liner over the top to hold everything together. Otherwise, I'd have all loose letters.
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Applied to the pot and ready for paint.
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Primed
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After priming, I shot the 'grill' area with red paint. After that cured for a week, I installed the grill decal and shot the pot with a couple coats of black.
I got too excited and forgot to take a photo. But, here she is with just the grill decal removed.
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I also added a lid holder from a simple angle bracket
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And here she is in all her glory.
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[Bman]

I also built a charcoal ring from $10 Home Depot expanded steel. I believe this was 3.5" high and it's the size of the charcoal grate.
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Since the 24" length wasn't enough, I had to splice in a shorter length. I started by bending the ends to 90 degrees on all mating ends.
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Now they're bent to 175 degrees and you can see how they'll interlock together.
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Once they were locked together, I set the ring on the concrete floor and tapped the joint with a hammer. Holds together, and looks, awesome.
Then I wire-tied the ring to the grate
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Setting in the bowl.
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Since I had some expanded metal left over, I made an ash blocker for the lower vent.
Used the cut-out from the bottom of the pot to create the top of the ash blocker.
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Setting in the bowl.
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Used a stainless steel cabinet door knob on the top vent for a handle.
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Used a 12" all thread rod for the lower vent adjustment. To make the 'handle' I used the threaded connecting rod splicers & capped it with an acorn nut.
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[etruax]

Wow!

[bryanw21157]

Very,  very nice!  Can't wait to see pics of it cooking.

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[Hogsy]

Awesome job
The decal looks perfect
The only thing I could recommend is to upgrade the legs
With the extra weight the SJ legs feel a bit flimsy

[HankB]

Awesome job! If you figured a decent rate for your time, I bet you would be over the estimated $225 retail cost for the mini-WSM if Weber sold it today, but I doubt it would look as nice.

You'll have to let us know how the ash blocker works. Mine has holes at the top so ash does not fall through it and onto the vent holes. But I suppose if ash does not fall through the vent holes, it should not fall through the expanded metal either.

Now get it dirty!

[glrasmussen]

Great Job!

[AngelB]

That's some fine artwork!

[Jaronimo]

That came out really nice!

[reillyranch]

Outstanding job!  George Stephens himself would be proud. 

[1Cavman]

Man is that nice... Beautiful build..

[G$]

I am not the biggest fans of these home made mini WSMs, but this one is really incredible.  Well done.

[Duke]

Fantastic! That is probably the nicest one I have ever seen! 

[Bman]

Thanks fellas...  Obviously it wasn't a 'rush' build, but rather a cool project.  My friends think I have a problem, but they don't say much while stuffing their face when I invite them over.    I love my big ol' WSM, but sometimes I'd have more $$$ in charcoal than meat for a smaller cook.  This should fit the bill perfectly for a small butt & beans or chicken & peppers.  I'll cure the paint this weekend by firing it up.

[nicky]

Duke +1

Really great job. Like coming out of a store!!