Weber Kettle Club Forums

Grill Talk => Weber Kettle Forum => Topic started by: saxart on December 12, 2013, 04:30:44 PM

Title: Tightening up a handle
Post by: saxart on December 12, 2013, 04:30:44 PM
I'm curious if anyone here has a method of tightening up an old style double-rivet handle that is a bit shrunken, but in otherwise good condition.  It's loose on the metal handle and wobbles around.

(http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/saxart/Grills/IMG_9820.jpg) (http://s15.photobucket.com/user/saxart/media/Grills/IMG_9820.jpg.html)

I've thought about shoving some thin wood splinters in between the wood pieces, but that seems like a Band-Aid approach.
Title: Re: Tightening up a handle
Post by: Golly on December 12, 2013, 05:52:05 PM
New zavod44

     Or


Live with it
Title: Re: Tightening up a handle
Post by: glrasmussen on December 12, 2013, 08:03:28 PM
Quote from: Golly on December 12, 2013, 05:52:05 PM
New zavod44

     Or


Live with it

Agreed. Let it be, Beetle's...Who is going to know, other than the cook? ;)
Title: Re: Tightening up a handle
Post by: OGlenn on December 13, 2013, 02:03:33 PM
I am totally talking out of my ass because I don't have a handle like that, thus I am unfamiliar with the design, but couldn't a wood shim work?
Title: Re: Tightening up a handle
Post by: Golly on December 13, 2013, 02:11:21 PM
Quote from: OGlenn on December 13, 2013, 02:03:33 PM
I am totally talking out of my ass because I don't have a handle like that, thus I am unfamiliar with the design, but couldn't a wood shim work?

yep sure wood work if you want to go that way

me personally couldnt be bothered

love the patina of loose handle if the handle is in good nick
Title: Re: Tightening up a handle
Post by: pbe gummi bear on December 13, 2013, 02:59:06 PM
How about a c clamp and some bolts or ball bearings? Do the rivets go through the bottom part of the handle?
Title: Re: Tightening up a handle
Post by: G on December 13, 2013, 03:50:55 PM
I have tried to solve this riddle with no luck.  If the handle is in good condition but very loose, Ive used a hacksaw to cut the aluminum rivets, then reattached the handle using a nut/bolt.  Its worked great and results in a solid handle.  The trick is to find the right length bolt and countersink the nuts in the bottom handle so you don't feel them.  I usually use a drill bit turned by hand to enlarge the holes since its very easy to overdrill through the handle.     
Title: Re: Tightening up a handle
Post by: MacEggs on December 13, 2013, 04:07:19 PM
My 2 rivet handle slides from end-to-end ... loose a little side-to-side.
Other than that, I didn't see a need to mess with it. Applied some spar varnish ... and, as Golly said ...


Quote from: Golly on December 12, 2013, 05:52:05 PM
New zavod44

     Or

Live with it
Title: Re: Tightening up a handle
Post by: zavod44 on December 13, 2013, 04:50:31 PM
It's just a little loose?  Seems like it wouldn't matter that much, its not like it's spinning around...

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk