Working on SS Performers- Gummi Bear build log, pic heavy

[addicted-to-smoke]

 Oh, absolutely......now what about headers & a nitrous tank?

I do see a tank; do we know if it's actually propane? Does the flame now get started with a red flip switch?

[pbe gummi bear]

I have also upgraded it with a standalone engine management system aka STOKER. Lol. I've never use it with the kettle but it sure would look cool on it

[addicted-to-smoke]

PBE I like the mods. And I admire your willingness to adapt the grill to your needs.

Little worried about what would seem to be added stress on the leg posts as the new axles work to exert force on the enlarged holes.

I'm imagining an axle about 3-4 inches long for each side and brackets that come down to locate the other end of each axle from the horizontal frame member. You'd then have an opportunity to tie the bottom cage to that.

But yes I realize you wanted to get a working solution together for this week, and have!

I spent a few days researching alternative casters. These 2 1/2" "office chair" casters are a weak link in all Webers that use them despite not being heavily loaded. Long story short, I didn't find anything I liked. Added height was part of the reason; "real" casters seem to start at 3" but the best selection seems to start with 4" and bigger models and anyway, casters that use the same type of "push-in" mechanism are mostly the dinky little ones ...

How did you mount them? Did you use the same or similar type of insert? I seem to recall the stem on the original casters having like a 7/16" diameter post and the caster inserts being 1 1/2" square? Can you shed any light on this? Thanks.

[pbe gummi bear]

PBE I like the mods. And I admire your willingness to adapt the grill to your needs.

Little worried about what would seem to be added stress on the leg posts as the new axles work to exert force on the enlarged holes.

I'm imagining an axle about 3-4 inches long for each side and brackets that come down to locate the other end of each axle from the horizontal frame member. You'd then have an opportunity to tie the bottom cage to that.

But yes I realize you wanted to get a working solution together for this week, and have!

I spent a few days researching alternative casters. These 2 1/2" "office chair" casters are a weak link in all Webers that use them despite not being heavily loaded. Long story short, I didn't find anything I liked. Added height was part of the reason; "real" casters seem to start at 3" but the best selection seems to start with 4" and bigger models and anyway, casters that use the same type of "push-in" mechanism are mostly the dinky little ones ...

How did you mount them? Did you use the same or similar type of insert? I seem to recall the stem on the original casters having like a 7/16" diameter post and the caster inserts being 1 1/2" square? Can you shed any light on this? Thanks.

ATS, I agree with you about the leg sockets. I knew I would need to drill it anyway so I went for it. For engineering types, the bigger wheel exerts additional moment on the hole, and they are cambered in due to weight and bearing tolerances. They also are farther out making the moment worse. I knew all that was gonna happen but it was a conscious decision based on cost, difficulty, and performance. I can always upgrade to a solid axle if it doesn't work out. Even drilled out the tube is very strong so I'm not worried about it breaking, just aesthetics and some minor misalignment issues that can be resolved with better mounting.

For the 5" casters with brake I used a 7/16" grip ring socket. It has two star nuts and a butt for square tube. If memory serves me right the ss tubes are 16ga 1 1/4" square. I'll link where I got it from but their website is down at the moment. It rolls and brakes amazingly. My performer is very heavy because of the tank, craycorts, and accessories in the bin. I used to have to pick it up like a wheelbarrow to move it but those days are over. The new wheel setup will roll away from you if you aren't paying attention on an incline  and forget to set the brake.

[dazzo]

Hinged extension. I haven't made the thing to hold it up yet though.

How about the shelf setup from an older (wood) Genesis? Might work nice.

[addicted-to-smoke]

Awesome, gummi. If you get a chance to post the link to the caster socket please do so.

I'd like to go that way too perhaps. I could always get the original plastic caster insert, which should continue to work OK for my lighter (stock) Performer but with maybe new 3" casters if I find some I like with the 7/16" grip ring post ...

[pbe gummi bear]

This is the caster socket with 2 star nuts I used. It fits almost perfectly.

http://apollocaster.com/store/1316-od-caster-socket-for-a-716-diameter-grip-ring-connector-89683-p-89683.html



There are also a ton of caster options there. It's overwhelming actually.

[pbe gummi bear]

This weekend I did the inaugural cook on the SS even though it's only 85% complete. I picked up a roti, painted the frame, filled the gas up, bought a NIB weber cover, and fired up some pollo a la brasa this weekend. I can't find the Weber name plates at the moment.  I'll back update the progress one day.



To do:

polish aluminum bits
make a thing to hold up the extension
add more stainless panels
paint weber nameplates

[edhead35]

This weekend I did the inaugural cook on the SS even though it's only 85% complete. I picked up a roti, painted the frame, filled the gas up, bought a NIB weber cover, and fired up some pollo a la brasa this weekend. I can't find the Weber name plates at the moment.  I'll back update the progress one day.



To do:

polish aluminum bits
make a thing to hold up the extension
add more stainless panels
paint weber nameplates

Loving the all terrain wheels.

[Hogsy]

Those Uline green SJ shoes are pretty sharp too pb
Looking good so far , can't wait to see the finished product especially how you attach the fold down table

[G$]

Those Uline green SJ shoes are pretty sharp too pb

Scary that this was my exact first thought.

[Bbqmiller]

This weekend I did the inaugural cook on the SS even though it's only 85% complete. I picked up a roti, painted the frame, filled the gas up, bought a NIB weber cover, and fired up some pollo a la brasa this weekend. I can't find the Weber name plates at the moment.  I'll back update the progress one day.


To do:

polish aluminum bits
make a thing to hold up the extension
add more stainless panels
paint weber nameplates

Nice job! Love those wheels. This would be a good upgrade possibility for a RK - much easier to move around.

[1buckie]

 "The All Terrain Griller"

[pbe gummi bear]

Those Uline green SJ shoes are pretty sharp too pb

Scary that this was my exact first thought.

Those are my Lime Birkenstock's! They were much cheaper than the normal colored ones so I bought them. Dr. says they are good for my posture. 

[Jeff]

Lawrence...looking sharp!  (The grill that is, I won't say anything about you and your green shoes!  LOL) 
I'm looking forward to seeing how you hinge up that extension...I have a spare table in my parts collection!
Did you dip the lid bail in the rubber/plastic coating?  I don't think I noticed it in your most recent pics.