The tubs I bought were seconds and were only a couple hundred each. They were marked as not wide enough....and I found out why when I went to put the frame in. Dough! (Homer Simpson impression) The frame was 27" wide and the tub was 26 3/4". I jammed it in there and started heating! Threw a bunch of weight on top and let it cool. I bet if you showed up at Receatives and told Jay what you planned, he'd find you a tub to cut up at a reasonable price.
It's my goal to be done in a couple weeks...... and yes, I do plan to be at Ashtabula. I would love to make Busco, but it's a long way, and money is tight.