Attn @ Troy
Troy asked me to write this up , I hope it helps.
Like most of you I've done the grip of fear thing on a few kettle handles in my time bending them back into shape. its kinda nerve racking hearing the porcelain crackle and crunch on a nice old kettle and so I started messing around with other options. Today a simple fix that I highly recommend.
The Damage
9 times out of 10 when your lid handle has damage and is bent, one or both of the sides of the strap that is welded to the lid is buckled. . This damage as seen below is usually caused by a drop or some type of hard heavy impact to the side of the handle .
Here are two examples
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/08/d8b3d24536c819ef4704452082ffba81.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/08/c1a0cff0a646d9084276a920a4734ba5.jpg)
Today I'm just going to cover straightening a bent handle.
The right tool for the job
Once I had the concept of what I wanted to try I had to find a suitable tool to do the job . A large C - Clamp would kinda do the work but I needed something that would also work at an angle and what I have in c clamps would not do that . I had to use rags to protect the finish and was worried about the heavy clamp dropping on the lid also, so that was no good.
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/08/4a9dd5038a0d708ef2c417c753d8f29d.jpg)
It was then I spotted a set of these at the hardware store and wondered if they would do the job. I've been nothing but pleased .
First they are light weight and easy to operate , the pressure you apply is easy to control because its controlled by how hard you squeeze, giving you great feel in this delicate operation . The best part however is the plastic on the teeth of the clamp , it protects your finish and your able to set the clamp up at angles which really helps.
The Technique with this clamp
Like I mentioned most of the time in a drop situation one side of the strap or the other has failed and it's easy enough to see which way the lid was impacted and then determine the action to put it back into place.
In this case I can see that this lid handle suffered a hard side impact to the left side causing the handle to bend to the right , the point where it is buckled is clearly visible and that's the spot I'm looking for to set up one side of the clamp.
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/08/870a8a6a6b0c0b41aa508da2f178df71.jpg)
Looking at it , the strap needs to go over and down. I set my clamp up at an angle from the point of buckle on the strap to the point where the strap meets the lid on the opposite side and then with just a few squeezes of the clamp we've reversed the impact and squared the handle back up as good as new. A few little tweaks and it's straight .
Using pieces of other handles will keep things aligned if need be but really once you try this simple process it becomes easy to master. Be sure when your bending the metal back you go slightly beyond straight as it will flex back slightly. If you like to heat up your grill to bend back handles then merely cover your clamp with foil so the plastic won't melt
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/08/ae8ccb2d8ccbfdc13539076b576bbd1e.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/08/f348add028e7288d4669a8389f729501.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/08/9c0e9030b60ecd8b946260c82f2713d7.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/08/b7bab55bc7749c36afe25ac707ded99e.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/08/6f32de7108c295b07bde0f9ec519d983.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/08/e39faf22085b9464ec65591e11412afc.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/08/a2e5fd7cf72aa68b4eab76cd12e530b8.jpg)
Next time, dents, a bowling ball and all kinds of sand
Take it easy
Idahawk
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
This post perfect timing. I'm resurrecting a kettle that lost a wrestling match with a falling tree and the handle still needs some straightening and some lid dents. Can't wait for part 2.
Nice write-up. Thank you.
Great solution, Idahawk!
Nicely done, might give this a go on a handle or 2.
Thank you
@Idahawk. I may be using this shortly.
Fantastic write up
@Idahawk !!
Very useful, thank you very much for doing so!
As soon as my move is complete, I'll send you some WKC shtuff!
Excellent fix for an annoying problem - thank you señor hawk. 8)
Great write up, excellent detail and pictures!
Good job
Now that is one very useful post Idahawk!!! A very worthy addition to the board. Thanks.
Thank you for this.
Pin?
IdaHawk, great idea, great writeUP. I NEVER really liked beating on my kettles w/ a hammer, rubber or otherwise. I like the bowling ball approach too, especially on those aluminum ash pans. SJ
Thanks for the write up and helpful information
Great write up!
I also love how there are so many 'concerned' kettles watching.
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/08/870a8a6a6b0c0b41aa508da2f178df71.jpg
@Idahawk, Used this tip this morning. Worked great thanks
Does someone have a trick to help straighten this lid handle. I gave a small pull on it and porcelain tried to crackel up on it and wanted to make sure that was no other way to getting it straightened up.
(http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/bb353/apt323/bent%20handle_zpsgdehzvhp.jpg)
Quote from: apt323 on November 25, 2015, 05:49:29 AM
Does someone have a trick to help straighten this lid handle. I gave a small pull on it and porcelain tried to crackel up on it and wanted to make sure that was no other way to getting it straightened up.
(http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/bb353/apt323/bent%20handle_zpsgdehzvhp.jpg)
Get it good and hot with a load of coal and gently pull it back into place , you'll hear some crunching but it won't be near as bad as when it's cold . G/L
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Ok i will do that. Thanks for the tip.
Nice write up. Would it be a good idea to place a spacer at the bottom to prevent stress on the welds?
Great write up, thanks for passing it along
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It worked out good, it actually moved really easy compared to no heat on it. I doesnt even look like it added any damage to the handle area.
Procedure works well. Thanks,
@Idahawk!
(http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l255/vigbert/20160805_184402_zpsdxk0y9fu.jpg) (http://s98.photobucket.com/user/vigbert/media/20160805_184402_zpsdxk0y9fu.jpg.html)
(http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l255/vigbert/20160805_184827_zpsajhqebta.jpg) (http://s98.photobucket.com/user/vigbert/media/20160805_184827_zpsajhqebta.jpg.html)
(http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l255/vigbert/20160805_185308_zpsr8ar7qkn.jpg) (http://s98.photobucket.com/user/vigbert/media/20160805_185308_zpsr8ar7qkn.jpg.html)
(http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l255/vigbert/20160805_185426_zpsbwpfql3p.jpg) (http://s98.photobucket.com/user/vigbert/media/20160805_185426_zpsbwpfql3p.jpg.html)
Great idea! Thank you.
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That's great , glad the idea is helping out a few guys !
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What a great tip. Thanks.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Nice write-up Ida !
Miniature Porta Power !
Quote from: apt323 on November 27, 2015, 12:33:17 PM
It worked out good, it actually moved really easy compared to no heat on it. I doesnt even look like it added any damage to the handle area.
I am glad it worked well for you. I have one bent the same as yours. I'm going to heat mine with my homemade vortex.
addicted to charcoal......
Great idea. Thanks!
Handles are all straight now. (http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160813/e7aedd18e8f3a2802a90f1e8ca42c740.jpg) full vortex ready for handle straightening. Also applied a little olive oil to the cracks and rust that had begun to form sealed it like a cast iron pan.
addicted to charcoal......
Just picked up a couple of these clamps on sale at Harbor Freight for $2 each
Sent from my LGLS991 using Weber Kettle Club mobile app (http://r.tapatalk.com/byo?rid=91018)