That's kinda how I do it, built one for my brother for right around $40 bucks, these older GGs and Stir Crazys are built really well, I have had one for 4 years and it is going strong. Just roasted up two 12 oz loads of Brazil Bob-o-Link Peabodys this morning, very happy with the results. I have a 2Kilo Ozturk that I use couple times a week roasting about 30lbs a week for family and friends. I really like the SC/TO highly modified for sampling, the only thing I watch close is temps, not to let it go above 440 deg, the rest is time, color, smell, and dump at 2nd crack maybe a few sec into. I have found the older TOs are much better then the new stuff floating around. Never had a heating element go out on the GG but I have figured out a way to build my own if needed.