Fire pit critque/advice

[aaron868400]

Hey all. Ive been building fire pits for about a year now and was looking for some feed back from other fire pit builders. Ive learned a few things along the way but still have much to improve on. BIG THANKS to everyone on this forum!! It has been a great resource for file and information.

I wanted to share some of the work I have done. Please give me you honest thoughts and opinions. I'm wanting to improve the current product I am selling and create more.

Just some general questions that keep coming to mind as I build these
- Do you provide any information on grill top seasoning/care/storage?
- Final finish? (I have been selling all mine as raw steel but wanting to add more options. I have used black high-temp paint that worked well.)
- Any good way to store a pit that has a raw steel finish and keep it from rusting to give a nice, uniform first impression)
- Ways to improve the current design to add value while keeping expense/labor in check?
- New designs or ideas??

Let me know what you think, Thanks!!

firepit 1.jpg (35.28 KiB) Viewed 4055 times

firepit 1.jpg (35.28 KiB) Viewed 4055 times

[ROKCRLER]

Nothing to offer...but very fine work!

[adbuch]

Nothing to offer...but very fine work!

I agree 100%. Very nicely put together. I like your designs, and the quality of your work looks to be first rate.
David

[acourtjester]

Where's the beef

[plasmanewbie]

Amazing! I have no advice as I don't build fire pits but I have top say that yours are awesome!

[bhamer62]

They look great but don't be afraid to add a little flair to the bottom burn plate holes. It doesn't mean crap after you burn it once but makes a nice appearance on the showroom floor....

Nice looking product, well built!!!!!!

[BAR M]

Really nice work. Thank you.

[aaron868400]

Thanks for all the kind words!!!

@bhamer62 I like that idea. I've considered adding MADE IN USA to the bottom of the pits or making a tag that could be welded to the side/bottom. Or possibly my buissness name if I can make it cut decent without being too big.

@acourtjester ?? you mean this?

[acourtjester]

Amen you know how to use tools, looks like buddies and beer time.

[4Dscreenart]

They are all very nice. I get asked about making firepits but I have turned them all down. I guess I automatically think people won't want to pay me for the time it takes to make something like this.

Can I ask you how much you are charging for them? Looks like you are using at least 3/16s so I know that can be pricey.

[aaron868400]

@4Dscreenart Thanks!! I though the same thing too, but customers will pay when you find the right ones. I think if i was selling $150 fire pits I would never be able to keep up so the higher price is good to keep a managable amount of work coming in.

I start the 36in hexagon at $365 and go up to $650 for a 48in with grill top. The one with the crank grill top is $1000. Yea, the 3/16 is way expensive now. I buy 10 sheets at a time now which helps. The profit margin is getting pretty narrow but hopefully growing my business and name will pay off later.

[adbuch]

Thanks for all the kind words!!!

@bhamer62 I like that idea. I've considered adding MADE IN USA to the bottom of the pits or making a tag that could be welded to the side/bottom. Or possibly my buissness name if I can make it cut decent without being too big.

@acourtjester ?? you mean this?

I like the idea of adding your business logo/name, along with "MADE IN USA". I think these are both good suggestions and may help with future business.
David

[tnbndr]

@bhamer62 I like that idea. I've considered adding MADE IN USA to the bottom of the pits or making a tag that could be welded to the side/bottom. Or possibly my buissness name if I can make it cut decent without being too big.

A good reason to add a scribe to your setup. I scribe my Business Name and phone number on all my pieces.

Nice work!!

[ETCWeld]

Hey all. Ive been building fire pits for about a year now and was looking for some feed back from other fire pit builders. Ive learned a few things along the way but still have much to improve on. BIG THANKS to everyone on this forum!! It has been a great resource for file and information.

I wanted to share some of the work I have done. Please give me you honest thoughts and opinions. I'm wanting to improve the current product I am selling and create more.

Just some general questions that keep coming to mind as I build these
- Do you provide any information on grill top seasoning/care/storage?
- Final finish? (I have been selling all mine as raw steel but wanting to add more options. I have used black high-temp paint that worked well.)
- Any good way to store a pit that has a raw steel finish and keep it from rusting to give a nice, uniform first impression)
- Ways to improve the current design to add value while keeping expense/labor in check?
- New designs or ideas??

Let me know what you think, Thanks!!

I like them all, but I really want that one with the flags on it. Awesome Job!

[SRdesign]

- Any good way to store a pit that has a raw steel finish and keep it from rusting to give a nice, uniform first impression)

I’ve seen a product on YouTube called Sharkhide. It supposedly leaves a transparent finish that lasts quite sometime outdoors even on bare steel. I have not tried it. A couple things to consider if you were going to try it:
1. Would it release some harmful fumes if the interior of the pit was coated with it and you had a good fire going.
2. What would the appearance of the outside of the pit look like after you apply the high heat of a fire to the inside. Maybe coat a test piece with it and put it over an open flame.

Supposedly it can be coated onto steel, then welded over, then re-coat again.

Oh and your fire pits are awesome!

[turtlebhp]

We just paint all of our pits with Krylon High Heat black paint. Most of the pits get hot enough they will burn it off so it makes it easier for the owner to touch them up and the color match. Plus, it can act as a primer if they want a different color. We tried the high temp powder coat but it was too expensive and still burned off.
We don't see a point in leaving it raw. Plus that will help keep the rust off. Just my humble opinion.

[adbuch]

We just paint all of our pits with Krylon High Heat black paint. Most of the pits get hot enough they will burn it off so it makes it easier for the owner to touch them up and the color match. Plus, it can act as a primer if they want a different color. We tried the high temp powder coat but it was too expensive and still burned off.
We don't see a point in leaving it raw. Plus that will help keep the rust off. Just my humble opinion.

[topkote]

I'm not sure that any manufacturer makes a paint that would withstand the temperature of a firepit. That being said I think the idea and painting them with an occasional touchup by the customer is the best approach. I think most customer will understand the limitations as long as you don't oversell the finish.

[Fuzzyx88]

Great work!! I love all the different styles. Definitely custom

[pipeliner]

Nice Work !!! Great looking

[Joe Jones]

I can't add anything to that! Those are BEAUTIFUL!

Joe


.

[Jason@bc]

Those look awesome! I've never built any but I didn't think people would pay that much for something like that. I'm sure they are worth it, but some people don't think about everything that goes into designing and making these kinds of products, good luck with your business Aaron.

[arnegrant]

BEEFY!

Very nice.

I always wanted to do one with some shelves on it for warming up smores or whatever

[Redland Kustoms]

Cerakote High temp the “C” series family of their coatings are the best thing for them. I’ve coated headers turbos they even have a piston face coating. C series is air dry and easily applied but even the stuff that’s good to 1800f and above can be burnt off with the right wood and plenty of ventilation in the pit. I have tried burnt oil for outdoor rings and if you stay with it and get 4-5 coats on a hot pit it’s like a quenched finish you get from black smithing but it’s only good for something that you won’t eat on your aware of vegetable oil for grates I’m sure. At least a $50 up charge for cerakote usually $100 if it’s 48” or more. Cost about me $35 for 4oz (cheaper in quantity) that 4oz will do a 36” pit if you are skilled it requires a very thin coat to stick so one pass is good. Also needs a few days to cure. Hope this helps you some.
Nice work by the way
KH

[adbuch]

Welcome aboard KH! Thanks for your tips on the coatings. Other than fire pits, what sorts of projects are you creating with your table? What kind of table and cutter do you have, and what software do you prefer for your drawings and g-code? Feel free to post a few photos of your setup and some of your projects when you get a chance.

David