Rescued this little oldie in Toronto!

[Cellar2ful]

Is it possible that the axle / wheel caps on this one were the ones used for 18" kettles at the time ??
Just a thought...

I don't believe Weber ever used that style of push nut. Having said that, I now remember Craig commenting some time ago that Weber transitioned sometime in the late 60's, from the metal style wheel push nuts, to the plastic style currently used by Weber.  I went and checked my Avocado metal wheel, thumbscrew 18" (1968-1969) and it has the current black plastic type push nut (with metal interior retainer) that is currently used by Weber. (See image below)


This makes me question my earlier post about the type of metal style push nuts being correct for your 18" kettle. It will depend on what year Weber started the transition to the current style push nut and the year of your kettle.



Let's see if we can get an opinion from those much more knowledgeable about all things Weber.

@Craig
@harris92

[Cellar2ful]

I posted a question on Facebook site "Wide World of Weber", asking the year that Weber transitioned from metal push caps to the current plastic ones used today.  Here is the response I received from long time member @harris92 . 

"Sometime in 1968. I've seen 1968s with either. By 1969, plastic push nuts were in full use".

So, depending on the year of your kettle @MacEggs , it would have originally come with a metal push cap like the one I posted a photo of or plastic one like are used today.

[MacEggs]

Thank you so much for all of that info, @Cellar2ful !

I decided to remove them today and the first one wasn't bad at all.
The second one was a total struggle to the point that it was mangled.
And... big AND, unfortunately I damaged some of the "inside" side of the wheel.

I am not too frustrated, because I may have a solution. Stay tuned.

Side note: I don't think "tagging" someone works anymore on this forum. 
Unless it's not working for me.

EDIT: I made the necessary changes to my profile settings.