brianb2
Member
@gunsandgearnetwork put up a great post on how to make a DIY disc cooker and stand. This is a variation of his build and also based on a similar project I had built in the past using a bigger disc that’s been great for using with the whole family. The smaller size he showed looked great for one to two people so I gave it a try. This doesn't alter anything on the disc, so all of the original functionality is still there. Here’s what I used:
Bayou Campfire Griddle - $25
Walmart/Ozark Trail Single Burner Stove - $15
EMT 1/2” for the legs - $6
Welded Steel Ring - $2
Steel cable about 4’ any size, the thinner the better - $2
Steel cable ferrules - $2
Extension springs (3) - $6
Key rings (3) - $1
Iron pipe plugs 3/8” (3) - $4
PVC threaded Caps 1/2” - $3
Also a misc bolt, hammer, drill
It’s a tripod style stand, so you need to cut three pieces of EMT for your legs. I had some EMT already and my shortest piece was just over 3' so I cut all mine to that length. Put a few strong rubber bands around the three legs to bind them together. Flip the disc upside down, place the stove/fuel bottle in the middle, then adjust the legs so that they clear the fuel bottle and and will still support the disc. Mark the location of rubber bands. I moved mine and additional 1/2" away from the fuel bottle to make sure you have plenty of clearance.
Now for the first fun part. You’ve got to get the steel ring around the three legs. It’s a very tight fit. What worked for me was to put the first two in and then insert the third at a 45 degree angle and kind of shoe horn it in. Whacking it with a hammer or 2x4 would probably work as well. Again, it’s a really tight fit. I used a hammer to move it down the legs to get it to the mark I made. The ring constricts the legs and works like a kind of hinge. Pull one of them so it pivots at the ring and the other two are forced to move as well. Once it looks like a tripod, double check it again on the disc to make sure everything is good and your measurements check. I drilled a hole in one of the legs just below the ring, and put in a single bolt. The ring is a tight fit, and the bolt makes sure it doesn’t slip down any farther.
Now mark the legs where you want to drill for the cable. It’s important to mark these with the legs in place on the disc because when they open into the tripod shape they turn slightly. If you mark them with the stand closed they’ll be at the wrong angle. Drill them about an 1” down from the ends. Place everything back on the disc and check your measurements. When you’re happy, lock the cable using the ferrules. If you’ve got some kind of rotary cutting wheel that does a good job of giving you a clean cut with the cable. You can now flip it over and test the disc on the stand.
The burner support is made up of three key rings and three springs. Put one key ring on each section of cable between the legs and then attach all the key rings together using the springs. The burner fits down in the middle of the triangle created by the springs and hangs there. Watch out for the fuel knob. The weight of the disc will spread the legs of the tripod and the cable and springs will push the burner against the disc.
A few finishing touches. Insert the iron plugs into the top of the legs. Two of mine went in using a wrench, the third I had to use a hammer to persuade it. I only put them in about ¼ to ½ inch. On the bottom of the legs friction fit the pvc caps on to make feet. It’s too wet around here to paint today, so I’ll hit it with some black paint another day.
You're done. This is the simplest form of this I could come up with. Lots of tweaks you can do to fit to your needs. Good luck if you make one of these, and post up any pics or variations you come up with. It would be fun to see them.
Bayou Campfire Griddle - $25
Walmart/Ozark Trail Single Burner Stove - $15
EMT 1/2” for the legs - $6
Welded Steel Ring - $2
Steel cable about 4’ any size, the thinner the better - $2
Steel cable ferrules - $2
Extension springs (3) - $6
Key rings (3) - $1
Iron pipe plugs 3/8” (3) - $4
PVC threaded Caps 1/2” - $3
Also a misc bolt, hammer, drill
It’s a tripod style stand, so you need to cut three pieces of EMT for your legs. I had some EMT already and my shortest piece was just over 3' so I cut all mine to that length. Put a few strong rubber bands around the three legs to bind them together. Flip the disc upside down, place the stove/fuel bottle in the middle, then adjust the legs so that they clear the fuel bottle and and will still support the disc. Mark the location of rubber bands. I moved mine and additional 1/2" away from the fuel bottle to make sure you have plenty of clearance.
Now for the first fun part. You’ve got to get the steel ring around the three legs. It’s a very tight fit. What worked for me was to put the first two in and then insert the third at a 45 degree angle and kind of shoe horn it in. Whacking it with a hammer or 2x4 would probably work as well. Again, it’s a really tight fit. I used a hammer to move it down the legs to get it to the mark I made. The ring constricts the legs and works like a kind of hinge. Pull one of them so it pivots at the ring and the other two are forced to move as well. Once it looks like a tripod, double check it again on the disc to make sure everything is good and your measurements check. I drilled a hole in one of the legs just below the ring, and put in a single bolt. The ring is a tight fit, and the bolt makes sure it doesn’t slip down any farther.
Now mark the legs where you want to drill for the cable. It’s important to mark these with the legs in place on the disc because when they open into the tripod shape they turn slightly. If you mark them with the stand closed they’ll be at the wrong angle. Drill them about an 1” down from the ends. Place everything back on the disc and check your measurements. When you’re happy, lock the cable using the ferrules. If you’ve got some kind of rotary cutting wheel that does a good job of giving you a clean cut with the cable. You can now flip it over and test the disc on the stand.
The burner support is made up of three key rings and three springs. Put one key ring on each section of cable between the legs and then attach all the key rings together using the springs. The burner fits down in the middle of the triangle created by the springs and hangs there. Watch out for the fuel knob. The weight of the disc will spread the legs of the tripod and the cable and springs will push the burner against the disc.
A few finishing touches. Insert the iron plugs into the top of the legs. Two of mine went in using a wrench, the third I had to use a hammer to persuade it. I only put them in about ¼ to ½ inch. On the bottom of the legs friction fit the pvc caps on to make feet. It’s too wet around here to paint today, so I’ll hit it with some black paint another day.
You're done. This is the simplest form of this I could come up with. Lots of tweaks you can do to fit to your needs. Good luck if you make one of these, and post up any pics or variations you come up with. It would be fun to see them.
