[QUOTE=matereater;654240]If you put fire bricks in the lid you may want to consider installing some type of counter weights to offset the weight of lifting the lid[/QUOTE]

That is what the windlass mechanism will do.
I just need to figure out the best ratio between the two cylinders that would best work for speed and ease.
Worth

Just did some calculations.
The lid alone without the split fire brick will weigh around 155 pounds.
Add split fire brick and it will be getting close to 200 pounds.
Now that I have that figured out I can determine my ratio and or leverage.
Worth

[QUOTE=Worth1;654241]That is what the windlass mechanism will do. [raise the lid][/QUOTE]

So what will move the rack?

[QUOTE=dmforcier;654292]So what will move the rack?[/QUOTE]
Another mechanism. :))
Worth

Worth, a 10 to 1 ratio is probably the lowest that will work. 20 to 1 is probably better. Use the formula on the wiki page to determine the appropriate diameter.

[QUOTE=Fusion_power;654453]Worth, a 10 to 1 ratio is probably the lowest that will work. 20 to 1 is probably better. Use the formula on the wiki page to determine the appropriate diameter.[/QUOTE]


I was thinking 20 to 1 yesterday.
That would be equal to lifting ten pounds.

Worth

Are you going to pivot it (hinge) or lift it whole? Pivoted the effective weight is 1/2. But with a moving rack, I don't see what you could mount a hinge to.

[QUOTE=dmforcier;654512]Are you going to pivot it (hinge) or lift it whole? Pivoted the effective weight is 1/2. But with a moving rack, I don't see what you could mount a hinge to.[/QUOTE]

Going straight up.
Worth

[QUOTE=dmforcier;654512]Are you going to pivot it (hinge) or lift it whole? Pivoted the effective weight is 1/2. But with a moving rack, I don't see what you could mount a hinge to.[/QUOTE]

As for the moving rack and the hinged lid that would be easy.
I have that one figured out too.
The more I think about it the more ideas come up that are better than the last.
I am even tossing around the idea of springs.
If set on a lever and pivot point correctly the same springs that are used to assist the opening can be used to hold it down.
Then there is the garage door opener idea I an thinking about.:))
I still have the lead screws and track from one I replaced.8-)
I have mentioned lead screw before.
Here is a lead screw.

[url]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leadscrew[/url]

Worth

I've had a couple ideas for motors, especially for a screw-driven rack mechanism. But that means you'd need to be able to plug in, and may be susceptible to weather. Better to make it all mechanical.

Springs or torsion bar to counter-balance the lid? That would be cool.

[QUOTE=dmforcier;654770]I've had a couple ideas for motors, especially for a screw-driven rack mechanism. But that means you'd need to be able to plug in, and may be susceptible to weather. Better to make it all mechanical.

Springs or torsion bar to counter-balance the lid? That would be cool.[/QUOTE]

Maybe a treadmill, that way a person could run off all the fat they would be eating.
You want to taste and check what?????
I just ran a mile to get that darn lid up and down a minuet ago, you should have said something.:evil::))
Worth

:)):)):)):))

Dog-powered treadmill. One of the little guys. They will work for food and not eat too much.

Sometimes you have to think outside the box or in this case the grill.
Some people see a 2×5 shelf I see a grill.:yes:
Free.
Worth
[ATTACH]76776[/ATTACH]

Looks like a grill to me too. One long enough for pig to fit on nicely.