I saw this ad late last week with no mention of Weber or its variations.
Braved the big city traffic this morning and grabbed this 18".
Original owners (however, they had sadly passed-on last year), according to the son.
I think it's older than me, and I am 56.
This is my first thumbscrew and metal wheel (rubber tread) kettle.
I hope to save and restore the wood lid handle.
Otherwise I would replace it with a Zav that I have on hand.
Grates are in very good condition.
Each wheel has one crack in the rubber tread which I think is amazing considering its age.
Missing the ash pan, unfortunately.
Thanks for looking!
Mark
(https://i.postimg.cc/1fxpNCqC/IMG-1670.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/1fxpNCqC)
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That looks in very nice condition for its age.
It will be a Black Beauty once you restore it and will be the perfect companion to your Stealth. :D
(But I think that handle will be a challenge...)
Very cool Mark! The wheels are particularly rewarding to restore, it's amazing what they will look like when you're finished. Congrats!
Nice find, look forward to seeing it cleaned up
Thanks everyone!
I am still in a little bit of shock on finding this one.
Weather here is on a spring rollercoaster.
I will take my sweet time restoring it,
as I prefer doing that when it's nice out. 8)
Sweet score congrats
If anyone has an older, extra, twist-on ash pan for an 18" in their parts pile (boneyard), please let me know. I would prefer to trade for it as I have lots of interesting items in my boneyard.
For example:
wheels
older style sweeps (7409)
condiment holder
triangles
legs
wood handles (lots of Zav mahogany handles)
Thanks!
Mark
Pretty sure I have a spare Mark, let me check, my Weber stash is a mess since I moved to Florida
Look forward to seeing photos after you have it all cleaned up. Looks to be in great condition.
Congratulations on the cool find Mark! Should look great after a quick clean up. Will check my parts bin as well.
Before I did anything, I cooked-up some burgers on it.
Then proceeded to apply lots of "fluids" to help get things released.
Those included 3-in-1 oil plus some WD-40 Rust-release Penetrant. Not in that order.
Let that sit overnight and applied more the next day.
I am very happy to say that I got the bowl vents open as they were all closed and essentially seized.
Even happier that I was able to get the thumbscrews removed after applying some heat using a propane torch, and vice-grips. The legs pretty much slid out after that...
I have not attempted to remove the wheel caps.
Are they the original for this era (1965-68) ??
(https://i.postimg.cc/ZC4kJs1z/temp-Image71c62-T.avif) (https://postimg.cc/ZC4kJs1z)
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Enjoy the Easter weekend!
Wheel caps look correct to me!
Those wheel caps are not correct for that kettle. I believe the wheel caps should be this style. You can pick them up at Lowes or some hardware stores may carry them. They are called "push nuts". Here is a link to purchase at Lowes. If you have a problem finding them in Canada, send me a pm and I can send you a couple.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Hillman-3-8-in-Nickel-Axle-Push-Nut/3012502
Thank you @JEVIV , and @Cellar2ful !
I appreciate the offer. I will look around locally.
But, I will also be in the U.S. next month for a few days so I will check then.
EDIT: Thanks for the link! That's a big help!
Is it possible that the axle / wheel caps on this one were the ones used for 18" kettles at the time ??
Just a thought...
Quote from: MacEggs on April 20, 2025, 06:56:17 AMIs 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
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.
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.
Final update on this:
I rescued a modern 18" only a couple miles from me last week.
Before anyone says anything about this so-called "abomination", allow me to explain.
I view this vintage 18 as a metaphor for my life and what I have been through recently in regards to my health.
I will not go into details on a public forum.
I am so glad that I rescued it in the spring... for a mere $10 !
The restoration is complete because I decided not to mess with it too much and preserve the stories that it might tell...
It's a beautiful kettle and has lived a good life... so far... and it will live on for many more years, as will I.
Thank you for understanding.
(https://i.postimg.cc/tsfhJp2K/temp-Imageo-TO1n-D.avif) (https://postimg.cc/tsfhJp2K)