Westerner Ash Pan Repair

[Winz]

Starting to work my way up on fixing up the Westerner.  Got the wheels and triangle done, moving on to the ash pan.

Anyone have a good fix, or replacement source, for the "hooks" that hold the ash pan in place?



Thanks,

Winz

[1buckie]

Shower curtain hook with rivets?


.....thinking......thinking..........

The original holes are there, correct?

[Winz]

The original holes are there, correct?

Yes.  This was a "pre twist" ash pan with the U shaped cutouts, and the hooks that wrapped around the legs below the ash pan for support.  The holes are where the original hooks mounted.  No idea what happened to them.  This is how it should look:



Winz

[G]

Ive replaced a few missing hooks.  The originals appear to be aluminum wire with one end flattened to affix to the pan.  I have tried aluminum wire with a loop on the end and affixed using a small nut/bolt.  Also tried steel wire from a tomato cage, flattened one end with a hammer, then drilled a hole in it large enough to fit a rivet.  The other end was curved to match the shape of the hooks (there was an original attached).  Both worked well.  I recently found a short piece of some thicker aluminum wire on a job site that I plan to use for an upcoming project. 

[MartyG]

I might be mistaken, but I believe the clips are steel, not aluminum. I may need to remake some myself, and have a good pattern to use as a model. Seems straightforward, but I may enlist a blacksmith I know as a parner in crime. Will take some measurements and photos and post the results.

Don't hold your breath...I'm in Huntington Beach CA on a biz trip at the moment...

[G]

Original:


Steel wire fix:


Not perfect but it works.  I think a wire with a little thicker diameter would look the part better.

[Craig]

Nice work, G! We need to get these ash pan/utility shelf how to's archived or stickied..

[Duke]

Nice fab work G.

[Heyjude]

I wonder if you could get a piece of wire, heat it up with a torch and then squeeze it flat with a vice?
Of course, you better know how to handle the hot wire. As for the rivet, that's a bit harder as they look pretty small. 

[Duke]

Use thin steel rod, it's easy to work with and will last forever if you remove it carefully without losing it's shape.

[Heyjude]

Rivets Galore here:

http://www.hansonrivet.com/

[Winz]

Had some time this morning and took my project to the expert.  He is a client of mine that is a blacksmith on the weekends.

Get the steel hot!



Flatten the end for attachment



The bend - this tool is the key to a nice curve.



Trim to fit:



The finished product:




These things are STOUT.  Going to the hardware store for some fastener alternatives. I will probably bolt them on for now in case I need to take one back to him to get more made.

Winz

[Craig]

Nice work!! Look exactly like the originals!


Sent from my iPhone 5s using Tapatalk

[Hogsy]

Great work Winz,very

[pbe gummi bear]

Thats beautiful craftsmanship by your friend.