Weber Kettle Club Forums
Grill Talk => Weber Mods, Tables and Customs => Topic started by: andrewshrm on May 01, 2020, 01:28:31 PM
-
Hi everyone! This 26" Performer Touch-N-Go has been my quarantine project for the past several weeks. Hope you enjoy the pictures!
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/0zqtqNg2wwcMCYNg6ViHysDNLhJ8y3gbfU0KenDvRL5VKLHjQ6Nci0S9bwwd9YZgR2J0Y4GPPh5i3Vr4VgtYsIHiyseTYr62n5ZB0YmHNAzvGw7Szqk328u8j_dTjeYcTaMMJzSfV7AfUml0lqEWl-PiElqHNyqpHESau_jRfqTnNsaoLaaEjjTdyusupJLQ_U_PXyNC6vTaqsckXDraH2WJTl5VbhPg2zcpKC2E5PCXT_3kZ9Qi47ZcVo3yTjVR6vsf3lZegooZ5D6Ywz2XwtJ9uXG1m5FFC0PMn53ph2gTAI7mAMkdkvQhfNz8cGJwvgBCbkg9clWQ3J0YPgXKn2h3T2lr202z396IY0-D1HKvLUwzuZ0azayHvzUhHFzYtneEL1_NN_Di-vnGSAPXWvFfs5K4Udu-El6_5fmeTTtYSCd_ol4wuemj599ZeuRWKDiyF8bBVxDeu0Xckbyq03WuQKRA7cfA_gH7swDMQNL2co6HTx74j5lXI3qkFYDSkVYuGin02fOS0pmqpRtZd_tw2tqm4CMzfsdovrsoRVM0TqkZoZ1DV9J3NsbBXfoMfmW08kxIgt_7P_Wu75jMIEiFk30Ves6NqpmD7pKiKY06mlIEkIb2Yh9Ls1Xw8bNmqaypEv9YKslo_8EbwjXQNeOrNSE0j-Tks15ddNscKi2t89JOGd09AGpdgqte5V7VB0DC0VFG1eL5vNBmFHNqF-sKpoYMFgbR10jggVC_Jy7bapU3jIquHMc=w1303-h977-no)
Everything began with the 26" itself, which was purchased on Craigslist for $120 in July of 2019. It was in immaculate condition except for a small dent on the outer rim which was an easy fix. Knowing how infrequent the 26's become available I didn't hesitate to buy it. I already had a 2015 Copper 22" Performer Deluxe and initially planned to convert it to the 26", however I decided it would be worth more to someone as a complete package and so I restored it back to new and sold it on CL. Thus began non-Performer life with the 26".
I spent several months designing a number of all-wood carts for the 26", but always seemed to have another project that needed more urgent attention, so the 26" remained status quo. All of that changed this past March when another local seller offered up a Gen 2 Weber Performer Touch-N-Go and was asking only 100 dollars for it. The grill had belonged to the seller's sister who had recently passed away and it had quite literally never been used. Everything, save for a small amount of rust on the charcoal grate, was in perfect condition. He even had an unused 22" rotisserie to go with it along with the sealed manual and warranty card that had never been opened.
With this perfect Gen 2 in-hand, the 26" Performer project jumped back to the front of the project list. After a thorough disassembly and cleaning of both the 26" and the Gen 2, I ordered the Unknown BBQ kettle brackets which let me do a nice dry-assembly and consider how I would reinstall the lower wire shelf.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/TvHAHysEJC70u6M8WZ80HNjyioK5J_ohL7aEeXhFdLBWuGFgfGddDzpfEa_Kt-ew8p9JgSY11Z_3Owpd20klwCm6l5brUUSP9qK1F1AUUi5FzcesGmOrBt1IXzCyeiWxqEIEXJeAO-V2WhU3Ppk44HlrAJdrz34qQ7MmecPRjgCgyTaGYSq1pbpYBAhwyNn6LjE4d_4aOTajeNqfQxtMz39W5KkEf4gLNZL3W5-TQRZ-zIyOSximkOfHeCCBrp3_iz1Po-nZXzNKJPP4cp1CgRxtSeKVumHNyCGXKmchMXrQ7sj4WT73KJD2EBVcQJ616iXyyfOcVe61hfUzCvAi14gg0ddLlhMhNwz_s-sE_RqLQuBsUHQYerO0xyQz7NCnVXew2KqjKtuc6sqB9Gr_eRaPdpwAU2EYIOVYC5fpPy7B0fWiMcQapid9osOSnMRHkOD0nPS1WLEzi2BLafA-HK_s-d7jvniT6ROwI4OTUGjoha6rue40Ngex5knY7iFaiw8eT7DjxsPOE1NxwsKqRYnrf_hiQtPkC_wAjhFmp8JRmQaQJWJI_TdzdV884iQFO3iF_P8mbGsC4PvA5XHGQaIzZNUogS8r2qFX5ZLrm469ZMbt3WiOv5OJYxWbXYn1iNZiPqCWuIpgpYwO0T_hh4fv0UDY5eYmxsex5GiQwvtOyv40nK9xpLtnEt4ZquVH69RP5QQAhvx1xtm1xZogNTcuLLiIAZjPjJ9C8weDTwTKD6myNF2Bpwk=w1303-h977-no)
For my wire shelf, I did a hybrid solution that used painted aluminum extrusion cross beams bolted together with painted 2x4s. I think it has a nice beefy look to it and it's probably more durable than the OEM plastic beams. I used bolt cutters to trim off the front curve and the ends on my wire shelf. Then I ground the cut ends clean and recoated the wire shelf with Rust-Oleum Professional Gloss Black Enamel. The shelf is held to the 2x4s with an odd piece of hardware Home Depot calls a "midget strap". These were also painted gloss black before installing.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/mVdZIz5CkdE6jElNzQq4z-PU1zApnZyy1UD5bMTGz6Rm_2pIKVh4DGraCcXWYuMWYwOkdRSETLMg01ZEsqZkjzkSojTjrEwINAX8hflkIodFSiibNeZqzDfY7gzmleoZ81E4duA1KkVBH41jwkN81rTtF5CL5es0aS5Ra-pisTSunxAlpXbBLvsDA4bFYTqku--RVh-Ez8UgLVr5VGCMCKIQnCGgKF7q9Ru1PIZQbaeuO1fZeKThy8UFk2lvF2GU4ShGndaoLwZs2dgQ9xJ56ExUO50yQvyqzIlenwb23LTkGl4qxOUx_Ub6QGLkANs3BcV5rXbY-w3CVIF3yHsH6HHqZu_tZ_jbFyFkK7-KMt1zzBxaAQDBdJWsHC7d0T7xfZjiC9mPknABoL2kwJ2OSfLX6JjLAwK18KUZdWEagJ1lyBGeY967WWcvdk1Il2thT88l15QrkWR97iUOODNMpEzlsop6L7Vg2QazYlKQhKoMsdK90IonXGpwueuKordpDptQnp6OjGz_ep7SkWv0gscJH6Lr6UZ7QIi471eGkJWZSp69ln_EVpqCijZhgs3NpXPzUnEH1LsBxqS5q-Dofd9g6UwnncNj0xpCXLhZR_dCNDehs3Ib-4i0EDutLlt766RItjemniCM_z8l4srBwKQap24_0g2Xu6pUPzim1ncqMZixUvWZ52P-Xzjh7y7bhr69nLn5eBhl2jHRaN4IohaKuESPjmSo-zLhk4xQNugR18L4dh3A6AM=w1303-h977-no)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/EId4pUpRMPw0C0TYvBHvRXeInQnmX_BMGKVcdLK9Xj-azwIBE5i88rZwW_FncYzL6NyyrepynZVita2eskt6YKdxoVNqUQh6QC8yzu3QzcFTcQkcet8NBxnCPWsY-F7-FiMXVjxbsZH3m3tOf8KZTXNYw5UJMai-JBSZ3byydS6LOvErN1RBLb8jr4jNkX8P3g4Ub1rvT27HiCAT3rJLMOQRSEDLHvYckU0BP6klbxzkIf4wyqFnYnhInGdg-w-lypaCpqCmUob6aPaFKSObfaohCl5leCeSHh8QBjev9Zt8WYNLEBoJLWAFUu8c1AH26zk1bwa-101ZR-TY8uoGPAckDXc0mdjlNDrS5woQujFLzVgV1KjYTZec8DjHUVWjWETm9T5JsbjmRDB6dqOhkaUBgmMXdxfSvL9u6LdjTv0bIVnnCofWqt8aAZk0uyBvQLjzzZPMFsZlW1kw_wE6fGFsvr6o7zo3yVsVTuyteQSr--o8JxfyXheVr_js1jnz7dm1BqjpNoRpdRW7mw5M5xllKIREl-DOaqP4NFWF1KloGvcQ85rwv1l3a_bpPcX26BiMEbmiNMqIFsnoPiOKv4K3PDHU2hG-q3b0ulYQLikmT8Tuug53PA4uTorqfQoHnI7NlEgWxjwqT6_eqYcHCT-V4lB73xSgpxbgZPmgc6GftDkAsHjh6V2I0zXdXBXr-QuMXY8rOwzBRe7c-pyVsKrfstujKmotHL7jDXbfTBlPWCzeNOTil3I=w733-h977-no)
With WKC's instructions, cutting the holes for the Touch-N-Go assist didn't prove as difficult as I thought it might be. The initial cuts on the oblong hole were tricky and griding them to shape was tedious, but all-in it only took about 90 minutes to complete the modification. I painted the cut lines with Rust-Oleum High Heat Ultra Black to make sure the exposed steel was protected.
http://weberkettleclub.com/blog/2014/04/25/weber-grill-mod-adding-gas-assist/ (http://weberkettleclub.com/blog/2014/04/25/weber-grill-mod-adding-gas-assist/)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/lVvBY8K7Yo2f4DhIsNuDicqawY5nUKT48UZvI0iYD1P0sMRo1IWXZ8cDqLCdSuIVJQ06dCkXJi-OyDfQmVxKBSZD30oapUVIySokMyf26Pr54PafP9kaUb7qzXtrr3D7RkKK_OdTQ5mkBCoyo5iaYCwQfgum5Rh4T6AJwk9Lqmw_Fb7DS28Z06Ze2AdDZn0aiODQNAjCoD5MAcvi_ny_aR2VM0e-zV_JcTtyfM6HOrym9W3O0JsMoE9Fl1KISgsy9Xx8EnZCjzavsfL4TzxNRQnGd4HOf073WoDaypNa0Xmk4boNdNNixtyK_YTZ9W-YZtZyEkq6iQqK6JIcGMD6Nx0LWdP_DC_gGcbzO6BbwCyGaUXZJ36b_oFB_m3pkG3Ojku9J-pDPeNMk67I9YxvNtDDy2fNKFA8dtaKJvC-YY5T6M0J-z1prPOnCXjkhy74mV7QgWvQjEPGXn1gx8dHnC8_xU95ODAU5Y8psBqrYBav9gdgvt3eh2PrNqN_cUh6jPyoIB-zN1vYoujfxDBbOyr3bvqqTqDSq0tMemSBUTIKkkvJ-3lBd3NLbYtQKQB0qDod_ksXPahCkKyU0WPhCLhyLGTVzT1qwf0SdnLuVSi9EBWjZ0RdpzLl1IzR3CFzQEsb2i5kfV7ewwiDTzZDrhz-0cBuLcncHQ4sVEN74lla3LAVcXV85JY9A2tjOe_yD_YkH0cBFRqHmndV9_mQyzU5qLkleEeeOHF_uibXDRCqnpuv4UrN2LM=w733-h977-no)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/lmLE-0EiuNa41kRe6hebaNJRxdwN3Tf6lUVp6Cqqfvpr53w2AVz_ByGx1uNbT3OrJUv0_OE7rNKO4WcSzR-1o-T7_nNoh4NAqshj1gAT44vPntIQjkvAxdNV3MI49k_-3PS7s5o5kcXn1v1r6xYKVG2zAlfPE6UZH1c7yfbjRwZK8v_S0jykDE37Ld1t1WymY8jqk11W8Q_shB7E9RVma_108udI4XjFy1asWu5-DjoDHOgEjL4sEv5E1_dzXTqwooVC2MwXOcUggfxJBdSsYBLGJ-PJwD9YOU2BlCbHp1eFPvMhMtv_D3axdz-55QafBwA1JhV0cEZyXKwWKeL-2tgos0EWpYqDmNDmKlGrQ83OlX4OkOCfrYDHbhcN--KOLPn3xJGEIVexMEOSnlYPOu2GQCyqBdrzy0Ph9SksNlX_TbeEz5gqOQzusxEp1Fm2abpE0A2DFSvKXs2PZK1HTHs1Sl5X3MnHLCgNqXjVgl9YFKVujj6aLMjk471wfFTOvHQCemDipvo4LAVuiZ4ubpSq9al0LrXn6Mv7kJRX2k2oPL-JtmaBWgBtQWAVD9_hz7QJ3eaVqXbVzLjxcjYGnqXURDDUg1oPhldkqdx5sac4ILI2vZQ1cmZADo3PeVtK77SmtfNsCXJSZHDdrx8YqwB2jn8tfVgTN99bN-GGZlgbCojStByv5icbSU2fgcO7QspxkTqDbbgxpIqr3cVBYWESIDwTe49xTu50eSgzVeHsS544EcUkkqE=w733-h977-no)
The final piece to come together was the wood top. I made mine out of a single eight-foot douglas fir 2x12. Aluminum extrusions are bolted to the bottom side to hold it together, and the final shape was cut with a jigsaw and finished with a random orbit sander before clear coating. The most difficult part was trying to drill the holes to mount it to the Gen 2 frame. I made a drilling template out of 1/8" hardboard and transferred this to the wood top, but things were just slightly out of alignment. The holes had to be oversized just a bit before it would bolt down. I used a 1" forstner bit to dill out for 1" oak wood caps to make the mounting bolts completely invisible.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/lRFo_I7oBd81HV4iyvhv1-4jvLQtoApWosiE66uveQ6ity5NlmOBFgEb4MEzFw6KFkl6OOIwBvziu33053NaQlAzlWO1-GHTAVyBmiouIQITMdt358lnQDw0N3JR-o-B092XQ20jfguJ2MLB5eorOOS4CRRPZ8a-BcQyqWAytdqwzAIzP2rHWp5P90yOxMnOuai6O8a-G26ehSqhbH8JECN7WqxJN6_7Qv2OPbaklQKTBOhq-OTscTEobnFAQCZ-TwIx08K0pkrr-KNC_dFTxbL-oIvti7A5tdRTcJL7PbT9ydx7Ys731lowMmaBglDNPo85MVG-Lphigia1JRzmBEC4MFC7URiBp47jF8IzcJfhdmGpr-ZA8wxtdWa7zsunKG2Cu-7GvnyIrp3gL0hSpdye8OFCwCsDXq5uJw56_7gZQxweYyeBdEnu6ZWJRE0Yi7e2plkFEgB_XpvyftCw56MeZrhSi2kZ8cxnk2IGIfaT1Nyy1w8BPG_KhxVnVRMfxZQ22Hf2J6NK-i57YGchL_Ux--bv6fDD1FV3FZjm0xzHr7xbpQ57UtLnOX1Y89x_oV92-8gR-kMkSx7a5DFG2GF4QaJy7QUdcYFuC1l8pmCUefc5ggoM_kV5hQdr5UlXqTKwAzeYSr2Evy_rxvzJJhGwOnJbs5apPLRLFndbUMOw_Hg2HVX7oyeekIC5WUTQwX5n0Eh-qQFKGaLn2CIAr5cxQefGeLF9CD5w1u9ZbQP0kMopwv2WvSc=w733-h977-no)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/339HVHlyQgrD2uPcH1x1EPngcryuz-HFnKo2kz2pd7Od5mxbm_HTavNVRyuq3CbdeNhqe5F00ywYQRQj2SlT3fM24upwSReKsnzfGSewo5sJghyXScPku9XyKUSvRfVOC5U6UC7fqXYI0KT3nMdYV-Dk45mzgmuzdOx9Hr8De9CUxIj1pPNg2nmApkcTrsmuUi3z6xQBY7vdb-TKNmN4pXWiCJK59KTwwHR1Yu1uzQPGdTSCGXik6k9OMVH2ynJ7hMrvshX3suG0dehgKpv2K-HO9rL5BvjaAHnB11VtRBHa7a7L6S4otWSdVlBjGeu2kndZbd3R8xvgoer7eSBd3hKnkIdgwUNulSkBgXjiFd3KUqPy7PIzVoL83-dZhq8-kOiU9OLNNZuycEUSLGTATBeqd9AIubJn27yM5CeIFHjMwzcGm6i9I5jwc-mkGKaJsCa0CIaAXxZdW_NmAJ31rV4IZtKbarreWCTKL70ouUP-63GItTYdz4eat6wQn0q_aw_MgQ6gWCUYTCHd0oX0knnJUB4CvrIbyma_zYQeTwavhYwNL6lc7UR7jD9u8e0K_sgITUuUaz0N3FLLGOwHoBBTq4z4tYVm4bcRAyOlJj4au3q9TF-M8f_KatLmXQ-ZgP8ws2NpNczpwLHYmlqsr1A7Qgg3kpC5KByNyH1syRndVZWWpNpHPpM1eOoRlR1zq5G1AUkVYLn-oiDq4x1cDokQRCq8aMs1rizv_5ED5jgVgP4HzSPcDMA=w1303-h977-no)
https://www.widgetco.com/oak-wood-floor-plugs-1-inch (https://www.widgetco.com/oak-wood-floor-plugs-1-inch)
New Craycorts arrived just the other day and I've also ordered the XL Slow 'N Sear now that they're being produced again. Incidentally the Veranda cover for the Weber Summit Grill Center fits pretty well.
https://www.amazon.com/Classic-Accessories-Veranda-Performer-Charcoal/dp/B071NQ93HC/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=veranda+weber+summit+grill+cover&qid=1588363581&sr=8-6 (https://www.amazon.com/Classic-Accessories-Veranda-Performer-Charcoal/dp/B071NQ93HC/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=veranda+weber+summit+grill+cover&qid=1588363581&sr=8-6)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/rpVf-RBGrcpKl-TH-mVNQpFiv5IXf7DVUNnzRYAr7vdcvKtBBUwYJUyFZg1qGbAKxtuyjI_ZKbBBsfUNjNcr_n4usaWHUPPaffn6SVGQBmBCc3XYDenjyQJcDBdU0879xpD1uywDQ9V8hf5V_KDr2moKc0Mqs2Xannc_azMBxpCaB5zp3lKsrBDyLF9qYDuL2_sPPeqmwX086aTfC_cs8LG0mo2pjVRJud_zGeUSKJNP80LJ8QVg6GaTP3JUbPAI4aJhl0YkpCGBJyyl_W0tNr23FxmOQ3p0HLtYclbIWV1ew_NQ8qvQ1gmI-2HFkJvjSDkpUeWRgIsFQ19w3363Tp_Arh9-FHmqmJyFX5xxouAT9Ai_FutfXNDF8-rp6h2pfeP73rw4sRtjRp3ztV7zp2N44el4odDoPVMUOqZpQFmuFYKiar864OUtsA3IxIt_ypMZ73uElH0xs7MVOWuPCGXF0aBB54LAKeDmSAtVhaHN4Igml0icj0hMCJPiJRWEIclCUvRasb_g4eRlild_YUQiR79dQ4Q5BIHYLpfLXqzRAbjlGW-2McHJD3w3ABbeGmFCk9feRifbZLeqYF5pOjFRGqqrjtqUyJlDVqS7mpUYSQIetx_QL_2fnD3L69w0hssFSvEdTVw09VK0kg1MsDH8EBw89PmwgaM5c8PyFBSGUxFxWr75EPnpzPlM2kuLwmYYtueyiw4IoqcsOYFNfCwRXpChoW3ZSbYmMvoosJmCDXCyXYDb-EI=w1303-h977-no)
Everything came together great and I'm really happy with the results. I can't wait to get it dirty this weekend with some baby backs. Thanks for checking it out!
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Iir6YqhxIpG2Kck-JqI8I4aM7AfWI0fkOIPct6vK48OhudUf2Pqqil459b1FVtvdQPBCxxjpQ0Rv93gkq_FChL2WsB98NJgsvM47ygVYoP15R5SAZGXd84-tChFk52PqQC1rU3LIXzbAuyPd1sYmwB2issv0Yf-cFyggQl44pY6XVDOK7i2cNoob_M6IXhee7H6QF-4wn1TsGjSRvGn-_EDfsIYrfctRdXQUTYn7Jimo8hipQnYZsYyovJRXuKkVJQ0iINmyVrfeWxslEM7HtmyBKCjqzMImd9AqX4ZHtzc3uuV46e1txUDyhLO5PUiBTZhzr4ASzJEAbJiMxXA3krv3JUhA7pDeUZqf68r-0nMlCXrulEPtedTtp8NJ_LhpHBFZUiOv_bt5UcxPqaM6iZ2uBOvBCHLxOETG-vka9K_cwMJt0s0bnn5dVBSCRp45poQTwnHCiJnmxfQnlRVRlaxuWioMlQZYj0FO8484FgK2qBpYtPUfkUpHfz-hg1ol_Y7tlHfn32s7WLvEgd4SXUUm1we6vIdyn_rgyw_q1ohxNXianE5fbp12ySYTa-5QMF2g8u6kcgSF6TEUQ5wFBSVpFiaUJHy4EEgeipwfV4m1O8LZ2tTYlN0dK4EGCuQcW2I0FXMUdaDkMgvBz0D6_9hg60xG1ZugrzoRIUQyW1qU6o1Jw9Yuue7_XPsoOzB9YQkqCiJlJyd_I42TAv2oZDOeDJYeJBkt1s-xSMGwZ4bPYUayuz0GoJk=w733-h977-no)
-
That’s fringing sweet!
Sent from my iPhone using Weber Kettle Club (https://siteowners.tapatalk.com/byo/displayAndDownloadByoApp?rid=91018)
-
I like where you went with that! Looks good!
Sent from my SM-G950U using Weber Kettle Club mobile app (http://r.tapatalk.com/byo?rid=91018)
-
Wow! I wish I had that. Beautifully done [emoji106]
Sent from my iPhone using Weber Kettle Club (https://siteowners.tapatalk.com/byo/displayAndDownloadByoApp?rid=91018)
-
Standing ovation with a mask covered Woooow!
That is pretty!
Sent from my SM-G965U using Weber Kettle Club mobile app (http://r.tapatalk.com/byo?rid=91018)
-
That is perfect.
Now I need to find a roached gen II to steal the frame from and build one myself.
Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk
-
Turned out grate I really enjoyed the read and all the details.Cheers!
Sent from my SM-G955U using Weber Kettle Club mobile app (http://r.tapatalk.com/byo?rid=91018)
-
Grate build and write up!
Sent from my SM-G975U using Weber Kettle Club mobile app (http://r.tapatalk.com/byo?rid=91018)
-
Nicely done! I like how you tied the cross beams to the frames. Cleanest looking design I have seen so far with tubular frame performers.
As for the table, it looks great, but few things I would change up if I was doing mine..... glueing 3 pieces to make it look solid one section table and shortening side overhang ( front and the back side) or flush with the frame will give more sleeker looking table IMO. Overall, very nicely built.
-
Thank you all! It had been something I'd been wanting to do for a lot of years. Appreciate the positive feedback... who knows - might do a RapidSet concrete top for it one day. Never seen anyone do a concrete top for a Performer but with so many businesses on lock down these days I think I'll just work on getting it dirty first. Eager for the SNS XL to arrive hopefully in late May.
-
Grate job!!! By far the best 26” Performer mod I’ve seen so far.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
-
Grate job!!! By far the best 26” Performer mod I’ve seen so far.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200502/6f7fc86757893279b13a713076bc235d.jpg)
Nicely done. I went with a granite top for my 26” performer
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
-
@andrewshrm Can you give me more details on the aluminum extrusion cross beams? I am getting ready to do this and love that solution.
-
Very nice conversion and write-up! I really like that 26....
-
Pretty impressive!
Nice work
Sent from my iPhone using Weber Kettle Club (https://siteowners.tapatalk.com/byo/displayAndDownloadByoApp?rid=91018)
-
@andrewshrm Can you give me more details on the aluminum extrusion cross beams? I am getting ready to do this and love that solution.
I've looked a couple times and cant figure this out either
-
@wbenton - for sure - the aluminum extrusion is something we use all the time in the tradeshow industry. These COVID19 hospitals that were setup in convention centers were largely constructed out of the same stuff. If you're outside the industry it could be a really hard product to come by given that most of the companies who produce the extrusion only sell B2B and not direct to consumer. I used Octanorm (https://www.octanorm.com/us/Home (https://www.octanorm.com/us/Home)). Another major provider is AGAM (https://www.agam.com (https://www.agam.com)).
These two photos show the assembly a bit better. I bought some hardwood dowel (I think it was 1 1/8") and painted it black and then cut it into four 5" lengths. These were then inserted into the ends of the Weber tube framing. In my method, I used wood screws to then attach the short vertical length of extrusion to the tube frame - the inserted dowels gave the wood screws something to bite into. Then, with the vertical extrusion mounted, I could simply lock in the main extrusion beams. Both Octanorm and AGAM extrusion use a connecting lock system to allow different extrusions to join to others. The silver hex-head circle in two locations in the first photo are the actual Octanorm locks that torque into the vertical extrusion.
The inserted dowels are probably more valuable than the extrusion in all honesty. The Weber tube frame is way to thin to hold any kind of fastener IMHO, but with the right diameter of dowel tightly inserted you can thru-bolt right into the end of a painted 2x4 or 2x6 cross member and skip the extrusion altogether now that you've put support inside the tube.
BUT... extrusion is cool so henceforth extrusion in mine ;)
Been' having some fun getting her dirty with some meat the past couple days too!
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Wz1eQboFe9AoRAZfXPhdqZjVUMvYPEfL9adtUTE3DP8ZciWtDXbHi4crPrSzW5G0dm0PpRIIzZWVqmsy8bZEE864m-oD0anv4IcBNMoWUVcbR1ADeUuRFEGC2ygxT8k_4zIU5CmtwLzOgc3xZzHlYNs_4rGhXfcu8kBuYsWvQ2rlB2UwAg6LRayL2V0qiwtK3zzw4WR1BJAwnjJBNVp6KYNZpHqM53HnAbAM_JDY0OkPH5QVJHERTKkZiU2_NvOVJAr0rbxJQg5SuvV3uJwyWeAP82w54rPtN0Z4LeGIfNWp1xvX75v-Wj991IP7AumSePvCcDuakyt1IlrUzmhLz79hcBJheBlMbmg04GmQ4I_0mVJsnUmh_0ZiSNb0xf496eTyo0YqxVLN4g1Po5BTw7HP2OCYPTURJKO_P3hhMA8C6Cf3Kjsgcv2v6uih_UeWzahgAcDWwZ-XsMsO9fBJ9MedSH0awUUoPveNMLoL5c-kmKob-E0DyWiUOjnqHoLSc9ss-y-PXS9PL0Nfa6_AHZr6LKZAKXhF6JsOsBJ-k9pkSL1sBXEL6ChHH-biY3T6l9n3aelpQFbcBoflgLWc_vTniaDi7_4b8WGp3OnWIw69wy8gAxJHbk_T7GEBsObaxnjapUHKnusgnjvHTUgUjG4tJPeWu2UEFy6E48ExUqrF5BEsO0HLn0qVGCglc5LL8WZW4YB3nxspdt4QtEgizTgIMcew9dh6_VXtS19jjBxrlZC4kStPnJc=w696-h928-no)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ur4v-vsNFMfoahnGKWb7pFasOldZ6n7qvX4lK6-RFd0P2pRJJXqUWWrmOkVSEumc4BayG5IAPUo8TIUtpjcMqHihociRVDtYa8gplN70X9DNiZEqrZAHoW0wirDvUYIw100vqItzh89U71Hr7-r1qNJ3Gma8cN-RsWwUoM-xBWu4pfsK2fLtNj_mrtKJh-lwp90zOvrS0MyR3hSGp6-ehCjhEt8QUqOTEClWNJfM2BinW1agyR_mSbenMStKdNuYqJE_bUoeM6CjpYZOIMKVFWOOObpKOEGJDuHLmyE4xcSAPQRe4YVqiwu4qSD9g5367UQ_zFowq2hVgv8R8q7IbRc3zJzhUcGpxiS7QtQ5wlEajXtU4InnBZRdNbc3JfcJzZMQiGTdMa9iSgjc9euzQL6id3b46SFs3382YGvrlSNGQgd23I3JGVoK207E8I60VDLAGggS4vhXXKCnqc92kzGmHDsFm4ft19upjCz3eG8qwdwNQ0LuvywoD5spuh4QXpVgRR_Y2FchRcz6yjApYva6DcYcW7LKd5-z_KlzFzQ0UXuJZInzp0akaPfbYwWJtNXdCZt6f-TwQptjdVVY9YijXMWBcDnTpJdg8FYaaPXj2Uu8g95W3CIIy2FFcGFmcs21y9trURBDxlGtx5rkEXN2w4lE5p3eEaOVybjtNIyaF7fPcsZwxB1_Pylcu5meF6T5I9YFiFxRUwG_vxHOaPZx9BIHEooBk08hUccg0TLu__69V7y7kyI=w1303-h977-no)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/KVkgbrWoDEDkv1pKLXb7zDISvwLxR-KkAx4_ePoXywvv4SHmWE4Osx97Xb46ZV3RoOhjntwjyI6jyeI1UetdBqqdIwGLgVEruiD2SMW0WBDSnHh4KxF2bVuBEx_neduiGXxvkJqE7jfQtpr2Nk7Mz7b-DwZ5goepFvmfTtxwGP6mKNVlgKxPr3-We-rCCqob397FvbiTv8WWSYJrGDI_0zK7ucIvGLlsubtiEP7wENhb_CJ3E6QCewroKSU0-9TJbV4WL7QYzDASilH8tFKr5M_ht4eBfbC1-IoThahoGCxwFzZtN6oV3XyVrMygVigKj5krrG1IhQKfCWRpNY5Mkbn_4yDqBFPy4RStw6DBAr9hIB8cvs2wxSii7UHsPpHqAL5NZ7moOrVmH8w-5h5eIwOd53AJW3aIkVgRDH1e5kgyJwbWLiMhua09Z3f89WQ8ZmeLYVDWII7JUx2jZKHmjo42JMGVUWdbEfHI2WctfPydexnnCgipzTme84mVU9iB1wELFwgzLUjJvvfmYwdg3S00rVBEZtSvu7tknByINdHry9RRpBEvk2GJOJtkFVnk90bwd-AGf90zHnsiN36FVwzjUxFvw6H08R235p71ti9Rb-xRc7J3qTWH8GR_NhAnoRlfxi60DNpls_r8l7S1D4HISiuRt2nEFrxbxD-JU0aiwAdY5YRATijVL8AXkR7lcsNWkZyP7LZjB433OIthcdnbOXjZgWMBr5Z42pB7hywOwTkYRIfDnhQ=w1238-h928-no)
-
The crowd gasps as the curtain drops away and the newest beautiful sculpture appears. Those 26” look amazing!
Sent from my iPhone using Weber Kettle Club (https://siteowners.tapatalk.com/byo/displayAndDownloadByoApp?rid=91018)
-
I have got to build me one of them. I have 1/2 of the build now ready to start, just working on the 2nd half to complete it. I was going to use the NIB 26 I have for another custom originally but I like this. Just 1 more 26” to go and I’ll be ready.
Sent from my iPad using Weber Kettle Club mobile app (https://siteowners.tapatalk.com/byo/displayAndDownloadByoApp?rid=91018)
-
Beautiful work!
Sent from my iPhone using Weber Kettle Club (https://siteowners.tapatalk.com/byo/displayAndDownloadByoApp?rid=91018)
-
Ive got a 26" i want to do as well. what do they do for a cover???
-
That is nice!!
-
That's awesome. I'm in the planning stages of something similar. What did you do with the handle? Grind it off?
-
Wow. Very nicely done!!
-
Very well done. I am looking to do the same for my 26er. That cart is my favorite!
-
That is nice... I really do like it!
-
This is the best conversion I've seen yet. Can you show or explain how you widened the frame to allow the kettle to sit at the right height?
-
Sure thing @sscompton,
I didn't take nearly enough pictures of the build process. For me, the step that really began to set things in motion was drilling and mounting the Unknown BBQ brackets. Up until that point everything was just a bunch of parts scattered around the garage. Getting those brackets mounted lets you do a dry-fit of the whole frame, and it's from that rough-assembled state that you can then begin to get some decent measurements on how wide the legs on your particular build will be. Depending on where exactly you mounted the brackets, your frame may end up slightly wider or narrower. One trick I did was to leave the food grate in place while marking the drilling holes. All the lines in the food grate made it easy to trace from one side of the kettle interior to the other to ensure that my drill marks were perfectly aligned on an axis. Otherwise, you run the risk of having the frame be wider on end than the other due to the frame tubes being a couple degrees out of parallel. I matched my bracket height to the same height as the donor Performer's 22" kettle bowl. Even with that, however, my bracket bolt threads still penetrated too far into the interior of the kettle to not interfere with the food grate, so I had to grind the ends off flush with the nuts with a grinder. Then my food grate would still spin easily as before.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/YfIdnvDZ8u3d3IbZ_qKmCaaUz9g9MYdlxwKbSijm1x35nNy9cWf_evemeT18eqxb7FmJPxuTupZHp_ugolXlrQW7m7-ea933bLfUBtd3EcXugmfoMqt0KSlJH5KV_JgTzyzZ8MccypNiiHogfXwZGqN4_4yRIt-ZZARCqIHcQWatG5Y96VPkgOIPINhfm0r7JpXQcVEIhe8W3-FHbSoSX9MIpGK_hSXgImUEEqlCyVSQMqNMJYkgNAqVYWWYyk73dTpFJR72m-VUatXSBuionv72YJ7gCFXhjnMmPyWkzNZ1nDXYlPTQtrkHTJso1a8KMnI4dsN_RVay9Pe7ukQFWDL4daUTkNNq9SdnHfJrY7D4YK9o7BzRp62g1tMhwKJ8rxIFGSizGrAYU1f7xPYXMGjIlFGpWoHtfkxuClUP_q-Gxb5VGHI-cSiZikQsaU5f-YSOoxxDqrPjNw4_4w9yfYWplxN5vjms6TWK3TbiLVIAeUzXDXMbyn-TkMmRlVGGr3k8zq6o4_sx2zpruLFPmkbECuXtlJkXYtK-kv0GNN8UQi3JaypycHygCnxXfqBX9sn0Cret-U8OXxdTwAt14RTTazvkyp25rlFzQpjeyWxJVKIhu356tYLe5BgW4FmlI-tBPd0MLlGYcmFpE-y0GtugB7UIB-EdhZwa9HQvMWtPVh3jewTqBSAYZILffw=w748-h997-no?authuser=0)
My 26" sat in this rough stage for a good week as I considered all the ways to secure the frame. I've mentioned earlier that IMHO the frame metal tubing is pretty thin to be able to support fasteners without supporting the interior of the tube. So my solution was to cut lengths of wood dowel and insert those into the tube ends first (Home Depot had a hardwood dowel that was just about a perfect snug fit for the tubing). From there, I could drill and fasten cross bars to the frame and have it be very secure. Again, my cross bars happened to be a mix of painted aluminum extrusion and 2x4s, but I think you could do a very nice job with just 2x4s alone and still have a great result.
-
Thanks! That definitely answers a lot of questions I had. Tell me, do you like the height? I am considering mounting my 26 above the table instead of flush with it. I know it will not look as nice but my current SSP is too low for my liking and this project gives me the opportunity to overcome that. Any thoughts?
-
If you don't like the bowl height as a 22", you won't love it on a 26" either. I'd definitely consider raising it. You might be able to get your bracket bolts below the food grate then too and avoid some of the interference I had. The Unknown brackets are meant to be at a 90 degree relationship between the frame tubing and bowl... as you lower the bracket down the bowl, that 90 degree relationship begins to increase by a few degrees, but again, you'd have to really lower it pretty drastically to cause any issues. Even then, it would be easy enough to just tighten everything down on the interior a little bit at a time after the lower frame goes together. The bracket will get tight to the bowl one way or another.
If anything, my complaint on my build would be that the resulting table depth really increased by a lot over the stock table. Mine is practically as deep as it is wide - more like a kitchen island. I'm using the Summit Grilling Center cover on mine, but the fit isn't fantastic, and I think that a shallower frame would have given me more options on the cover. Your idea of raising the bowl by a couple inches or so would allow the frame to be an inch or so less deep also, which would bring down the table depth a bit too.
-
Yeah, great effort put into that build and it paid off. Awesome results; Gorgeous bowl and table!
Sent from my SM-G973U using Weber Kettle Club mobile app (http://r.tapatalk.com/byo?rid=91018)
-
Very nicely done!
-
Very cool
Sent from my iPhone using Weber Kettle Club (https://siteowners.tapatalk.com/byo/displayAndDownloadByoApp?rid=91018)
-
Looks incredible. We have a similar set up... 26er with craycort grill grates. I have the SnS XL for mine also.
-
Any particular reason all these projects use the Gen 2 Performer rather than Gen 3 or Gen 4?
-
Just my personal opinion.
I think the Gen II black frame and the stainless steel panel look better than the grey on the newer generations.
I have owned 4 Gen II and 0 Gen III or IV.
Sent from my SM-G960U using Weber Kettle Club mobile app (http://r.tapatalk.com/byo?rid=91018)
-
Agree with Kneab. I have also owned a Gen IV and I painted it black before I put it together. The Gen 2 became available on Craigslist and that’s when the project really took off. Luck of the draw but I am glad for the Gen 2. And Weber - please change the Gen IV wheels 😭
-
Great write up and lots of good info for some things I’m thinking about. A sort of silly question, but I noticed you have some sort of sleeve on your propane canister. Any info on that? I’ve poked around on Amazon and the interwebs and can’t seem to find anything obvious.
Sent from my iPhone using Weber Kettle Club (https://siteowners.tapatalk.com/byo/displayAndDownloadByoApp?rid=91018)
-
Thanks @Chesapeake Weber... good eye - yes that is a 1 pound propane sleeve made out of Neoprene. Necessary? Totally not. I also use the 1 pound propane canisters for a weed torch that I use out in my rock mulch in the front yard, and I noticed that when I run that torch for a while it begins to frost up. Somewhere through some useless googling I found those neoprene covers. The specific one that I purchased was a "Northland Tackle Propane Tank Warmer". There's some odd ball websites that sill have it listed if you google it, but I don't think it is produced anymore. I picked that one because it didn't have any weird logos or graphics on it. Amazon has one with a pink "Jiffy" logo (search "Jiffy 4391 Propane Tank Sleeve") and there's another one on websites (eBay, etc) that says "Trophy Angler" on it that I've seen.