I just use 1/4" x 1&1/2" bolts with lock washers & nuts for the grill suports! I also use #9 flat expanded metal for the basket. A little pricey but will last forever! The hogs rings work good to hold it together without any welding! The pizza pan on the bottom catchs your ash's! Still looking for the photos of my 1st barrel! Sorry, I put 15 lbs. of charcoal in the basket & cooked for 12 hrs. & had charcoal left over! What I do is close the vent in the lid on top & close the intake hole or holes & kill the fire! Saves alot of charcoal that way!