Weber Kettle Club Forums

Grill Talk => Weber Grill Forum (Grills, Accessories) => Topic started by: Troy on May 12, 2014, 09:04:44 AM

Title: will these wheels fit a kettle?
Post by: Troy on May 12, 2014, 09:04:44 AM
http://www.etsy.com/listing/179114911/pair-vintage-red-metal-and-rubber-wagon?ref=sr_gallery_15&ga_search_query=wagon+wheel&ga_ship_to=US&ga_vintage_rewrite=vintage+wagon+wheel&ga_original_query=2&ga_page=2&ga_search_type=vintage&ga_view_type=gallery
Title: Re: will these wheels fit a kettle?
Post by: Troy on May 12, 2014, 09:06:40 AM
or these?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Vintage-5-1-2-Inch-Metal-SCOOTER-WHEELS-w-Hard-Rubber-TIRE-Wagon-Pedal-Car-NOS-/151300579833?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item233a37a1f9
Title: Re: will these wheels fit a kettle?
Post by: Troy on May 12, 2014, 09:07:25 AM
or these?

.5" axle

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Radio-Flyer-Coaster-Wagon-Wheels-Tires-10-x-1-75-40s-50s-Firestone-/121339890389?pt=Vintage_Antique_Toys_US&hash=item1c406bcad5
Title: Re: will these wheels fit a kettle?
Post by: dazzo on May 12, 2014, 09:32:43 AM
Make 'em fit!

If you don't want the Etsy ones, I do    ;D
Title: Re: will these wheels fit a kettle?
Post by: salad on May 12, 2014, 10:00:29 AM
It needs to have a 3/8"axle hole for it to be a plug-n-play.  If not, you're going to need to mod that hole one way or the other. 
Title: Re: will these wheels fit a kettle?
Post by: Troy on May 12, 2014, 10:21:28 AM
It needs to have a 3/8"axle hole for it to be a plug-n-play.  If not, you're going to need to mod that hole one way or the other.

i should have known this. thanks!
Title: will these wheels fit a kettle?
Post by: crumbsnatcher on May 12, 2014, 10:37:59 AM
Winz told me he used these on his kettle. Wheel has 1/2" axle hole so will require modification to work with our kettles.

http://m.tractorsupply.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?urlRequestType=Base&catalogId=10051&storeId=10151&productId=20659&langId=-1&errorViewName=ProductDisplayErrorView&categoryId=&parent_category_rn=&top_category=&urlLangId=&cm_vc=-10005

(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/05/13/aqavenyn.jpg)

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Title: Re: will these wheels fit a kettle?
Post by: Troy on May 12, 2014, 11:55:32 AM
Make 'em fit!

If you don't want the Etsy ones, I do    ;D

go for it, I'm actually looking for something more beat up looking for my project.
Title: Re: will these wheels fit a kettle?
Post by: pbe gummi bear on May 12, 2014, 01:22:08 PM
A 1/2"od-3/8"id spacer should be easy to come by/make.
Title: Re: will these wheels fit a kettle?
Post by: crumbsnatcher on May 12, 2014, 01:31:41 PM

A 1/2"od-3/8"id spacer should be easy to come by/make.

What does that look like if I was to try to find it at a local store? 


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Title: Re: will these wheels fit a kettle?
Post by: addicted-to-smoke on May 12, 2014, 01:38:06 PM

A 1/2"od-3/8"id spacer should be easy to come by/make.

What does that look like if I was to try to find it at a local store? 

Yeah, like a bushing or ferrule?
Title: Re: will these wheels fit a kettle?
Post by: MartyG on May 12, 2014, 01:53:00 PM
Something like this:

(http://i.ebayimg.com/00/$(KGrHqIOKnEE3Z,ppjmUBN6twN(,)w~~_35.JPG)

Check ebay or amazon. The word "Oilite" comes up often. Basically it's a sintered bronze reducer.
Title: Re: will these wheels fit a kettle?
Post by: pbe gummi bear on May 12, 2014, 01:54:47 PM

A 1/2"od-3/8"id spacer should be easy to come by/make.

What does that look like if I was to try to find it at a local store? 


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It would look like a short cylinder, or if it's flanged it would look like a small top hat with a hole in the middle. There's usually a bushing section that has them in brass and nylon. Or you can trim a small tube to fit.
Title: Re: will these wheels fit a kettle?
Post by: G$ on May 12, 2014, 03:46:34 PM
I have done exactly what gumms suggested, with red wheels that look like what Winz posted.

Title: Re: will these wheels fit a kettle?
Post by: crumbsnatcher on May 12, 2014, 04:14:39 PM
I'm having a hard time picturing what all those parts look like. If any of you have any pictures of how it all comes together, please share. Thanks.


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Title: Re: will these wheels fit a kettle?
Post by: 1buckie on May 12, 2014, 04:42:35 PM


 Crumb, look at the one Marty put up.......basically the same, only long enough to be pressed all the way thru the hub.........like 2-1/2", or whatever is needed..............

You're just reducing the diameter of the hole the axle will fit into.......


May have to set it on something like a towel or cardboard & lay a small piece of wood against the bushing to tap it into the wheel without banging it up on the end......others who've done it can inform, as I've just done it with other types of machinery parts, not kettle wheels...........
Title: Re: will these wheels fit a kettle?
Post by: dazzo on May 12, 2014, 05:01:08 PM
I like the ones from Tractor Supply, I just don't care for knobbies on my street kettle.

Title: Re: will these wheels fit a kettle?
Post by: Golly on May 12, 2014, 07:56:31 PM
Have done this mod
Used a piece of 1/2 inch copper pipe as a spacer :P
Title: Re: will these wheels fit a kettle?
Post by: Winz on May 12, 2014, 08:25:55 PM
This is the part I have been using.  The inside diameter of the part is 3/8, which is the size of the axle on your kettle.  The part fits over the existing axle.  The outside diameter of the part is 1/2", which should be the hub size of many aftermarket wheels.  In essence, you are making the kettle axle bigger so the wheel will fit.  You can find this part in most good hardware stores.  They come in different lengths as well.  My only caution is that sometimes they can be a very tight fit.  Buckie is right on - you have to know some install tricks to avoid ruining your triangle.   PM me if you want more detail and I will walk you though it - I learned the hard way.

Winz

(https://dl.dropbox.com/s/hwl1r9ubk94ozkk/spacer1.jpg)

(https://dl.dropbox.com/s/hxorzmvl1ppl788/spacer%202.jpg)
Title: Re: will these wheels fit a kettle?
Post by: Winz on May 12, 2014, 08:34:56 PM
Oh, and one more thing.  The diameter of a weber kettle wheel is 6", while performers and 26ers are 8". 

If you buy a 10" wheel to put on your kettle, you are going to need a longer front leg to compensate, unless you are going for the "jacked up" look...

Winz
Title: Re: will these wheels fit a kettle?
Post by: crumbsnatcher on May 12, 2014, 09:31:42 PM
Thanks for the explanation WinZ!  The picture helps. I may consider doing the mod to my MT or SS performer.  I like the look of the red wheels.


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Title: Re: will these wheels fit a kettle?
Post by: Winz on May 13, 2014, 04:55:41 AM
Thanks for the explanation WinZ!  The picture helps. I may consider doing the mod to my MT or SS performer.  I like the look of the red wheels.


Tou - excellent.  That red M/T of yours looks just like my "Donna" kettle and the red wheels would go nicely.  Just remember - 6" wheels for your M/T, 8" wheels if you are doing your Performer.  If/when you are going to do the conversion, let me know and I will hopefully save you some headaches in making the conversion work.

Winz
Title: Re: will these wheels fit a kettle?
Post by: Craig on May 13, 2014, 06:10:50 AM
If you need a longer front leg, just buy some 1" diameter aluminum tube or shower rod and cut to the desired/needed length. I did that with my black OTG that I slapped 8" wheels on..
Title: Re: will these wheels fit a kettle?
Post by: Craig on May 13, 2014, 06:15:13 AM
That red M/T of yours looks just like my "Donna" kettle and the red wheels would go nicely. 

Winz

I have to ask (I think I have an idea) but how did your red get the name "Donna" ?
Title: Re: will these wheels fit a kettle?
Post by: Winz on May 13, 2014, 06:29:02 AM
That red M/T of yours looks just like my "Donna" kettle and the red wheels would go nicely. 

Winz

I have to ask (I think I have an idea) but how did your red get the name "Donna" ?

So glad you asked.  Named after my favorite redhead from the series "Suits".  I am not normally a lustful guy, but there is something about her...

(https://dl.dropbox.com/s/pg9tekeabg35ket/Donna%20SA.jpg)
Title: Re: will these wheels fit a kettle?
Post by: Craig on May 13, 2014, 07:38:45 AM
Ah...... I was wrong. But she is also gorgeous! I was guessing Laura Prepon (Donna from That 70s show) back when she still had red hair. Here's my favorite....


(http://i1259.photobucket.com/albums/ii560/redkettle71/joanwkc2.jpg)
Title: Re: will these wheels fit a kettle?
Post by: addicted-to-smoke on May 13, 2014, 08:34:29 AM
... there is something about her...

I think I know what you mean.

(http://i.imgur.com/GvDW1.gif)
Title: Re: will these wheels fit a kettle?
Post by: Craig on May 13, 2014, 08:43:39 AM
 :-*
Title: Re: will these wheels fit a kettle?
Post by: Winz on May 13, 2014, 03:30:04 PM
ATS - I just spent 15 minutes reading your post.

Winz