Weber Kettle Club Forums

Grill Talk => Weber Grill Forum (Grills, Accessories) => Topic started by: Rblackwell on May 24, 2020, 02:38:26 PM

Title: Leg Socket Source
Post by: Rblackwell on May 24, 2020, 02:38:26 PM
I am new to WKC. I am restoring 1977 Kettle that is missing all three leg sockets. Can you buy them from Weber? Other sources? Thanks!
Title: Re: Leg Socket Source
Post by: Kneab on May 24, 2020, 07:15:35 PM
What color is the kettle that you are trying to restore?
Do you have any pictures of it?

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Title: Re: Leg Socket Source
Post by: Mikeyd on May 24, 2020, 07:18:03 PM
I have three I will mail to you free of charge. Let me know. They are from a faded black kettle.


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Title: Re: Leg Socket Source
Post by: ReanimatedRobot on May 25, 2020, 02:58:53 AM
You have probably figured out that you need a donor kettle now.  When it comes to replacing the old handles and leg sockets people will usually find an old black kettle and try to paint match with high heat paint and use stainless steel hardware to reattach. You might be lucky and find a donor kettle that I the same color but it's best if it is pretty far gone as it kinda sucks to ruin one to save the other.

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Title: Re: Leg Socket Source
Post by: Rblackwell on May 29, 2020, 01:36:43 PM
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200529/317447be9a648cd7351279b4ee159a55.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200529/843807344d9e8a5d4f2dcf2133132750.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200529/3682a6b4122c335e6c6f3cb551b41c18.jpg)
Here are pics. Plan is to cut out bad spots in bowl and weld in new metal and attach leg sockets. Lid pic is after cleaning and handle resto.


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Title: Re: Leg Socket Source
Post by: Mike in Roseville on May 29, 2020, 03:14:18 PM
Is it sentimental? Like a family heirloom? If not, one idea since it’s faded black...is get another late 70’s big tabbed mbh and just swap bowls.


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Title: Re: Leg Socket Source
Post by: Rblackwell on May 29, 2020, 04:12:40 PM
It was my dad’s and he taught me to grill on it so yeah it’s sentimental.


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Title: Re: Leg Socket Source
Post by: Mike in Roseville on May 29, 2020, 06:36:04 PM
Gotcha. So some people have cut out metal and rewelded it back in and haven’t been happy with the results. Not trying to dissuade you. Once you start cutting out metal and grinding porcelain...it could get dicey. But nothing ventured nothing gained. Maybe a replacement bowl would be a good backup plan. Think of it like an axe that needs a new handle.

Another option would be to get some small steel plates or large washers that would cover the socket holes and put the bowl in a Performer frame (I.e., ditch the leg sockets).


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Title: Re: Leg Socket Source
Post by: kettlebb on May 29, 2020, 06:44:16 PM
It would help to put your location in your profile so members close by can reach out to you. Finding a donor kettle on Craigslist shouldn’t be too hard.

Is this 1977 kettle special to you or just a project grill?

Reason I ask is I have a 1979 A code lid and bowl (faded black) that I won’t use. You could have it if you are willing to pay the shipping to your location. It’s in great shape, just needs legs and wheels to get cooking.


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Title: Re: Leg Socket Source
Post by: PotsieWeber on May 29, 2020, 06:55:38 PM
On my keyring, I have one of those little flat Craftsman things that have 4 little regular screwdriver tabs on it.  It is the oldest looking one I've ever seen.  It used to be on my dad's key ring and I remember it looked pretty old when I was a little kid.
So, I understand.

If you are in the Chicago area, I likely have something you can have as a donor.

Do a search on fender washers on here or fixing leg sockets & you'll see what people normally do.  You might want to try some sort of modified fender washer sort of thing because the bowl is so bad.  You might even just try cutting off the tabs off a donor kettle & leave PLENTY of the old kettle attached.  Then, basically do the fender washer trick through the portions of the donor kettle that you leave attached to the donor leg sockets & attach that to the outside of a decent portion of the original bowl.  In other words, cut a large enough piece of the donor kettle surrounding the leg sockets so that you could attach that piece of the donor kettle to a solid piece of the old kettle with a bolt, washers & a nut.  If it (or something else that you think of) doesn't work, you can always go back to trying the whole welding a piece into the kettle.

Good luck. 
Title: Re: Leg Socket Source
Post by: Walchit on May 30, 2020, 06:16:21 AM
I'm in Topeka kansas with a grinder and some leg sockets too. Definitely post location. We will get your dad's kettle up and running for sure
Title: Re: Leg Socket Source
Post by: ReanimatedRobot on May 30, 2020, 06:54:30 AM
I would consider finding a solid donor bowl, cutting around the leg sockets on the donor bowl so it is one solid piece of metal, and then drilling out the leg sockets welds so they can be removed.

Then take the cut portion of the bowl and drop it into the inside of the rough bowl and then doing the washer method to attach the legs to the old bowl and the cut portion of the donor bowl.

Alternatively someone here also cut a donor bowl to fit inside a rough bowl and then tack welded it in place. 

This is just an idea.  Just doing the washer method alone might not work well given that the leg sockets are rusted pretty badly.  A donor bowl would be the easiest to just swap out, but either of the above methods would keep as much of the original kettle as possible.

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Title: Re: Leg Socket Source
Post by: Cellar2ful on May 30, 2020, 08:31:39 AM

Once you source the three leg sockets, here is a thread on how to reattach them to the bowl thanks to @zavod44 .  Just buy extra large washers to sandwich and cover the holes in the bowl.


 http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/index.php?topic=12150.msg119567#msg119567

photos from the thread

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-35YYE8FCTLs/U7m7MYy5DnI/AAAAAAAAP1A/D-MRFI23dGE/w933-h525-no/IMG_20140706_160950934_HDR.jpg)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jb5UpPyHaKM/U7m7TzEWxXI/AAAAAAAAP1Y/W9GMmb9_LKA/w296-h525-no/IMG_20140706_161006477_HDR.jpg)
Title: Re: Leg Socket Source
Post by: Rblackwell on May 30, 2020, 02:20:16 PM
Thanks everyone for feedback and suggestions. I think I have a game plan now. I will post progress pics. I am in central TX.


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Title: Re: Leg Socket Source
Post by: Kneab on May 30, 2020, 06:08:46 PM
Can't wait to see it back on it's feet.

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Title: Re: Leg Socket Source
Post by: Rblackwell on June 28, 2020, 12:25:43 PM
Back on her feet! Now final cleanup and install dampers and she will be ready in time for 4th of July! Thanks to Mikeyd for supplying the leg sockets.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200628/652721874297069dc14df57b3284cbfe.jpg)


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Title: Re: Leg Socket Source
Post by: Rblackwell on June 28, 2020, 12:26:12 PM
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200628/da63b09290d6009cae076ac1f32ff90a.jpg)


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Title: Re: Leg Socket Source
Post by: Rblackwell on June 28, 2020, 12:26:29 PM
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200628/2dba009ab434448fafee670b1230abfc.jpg)


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Title: Re: Leg Socket Source
Post by: PotsieWeber on June 28, 2020, 01:24:06 PM
Great job.  Glad you were able to save it!
Title: Re: Leg Socket Source
Post by: Cellar2ful on June 28, 2020, 09:00:21 PM


Nice job getting your Dad's kettle back on it's legs.  Great example of the WKC motto -  Rescue, Restore, Respect.
Title: Re: Leg Socket Source
Post by: bamakettles on June 29, 2020, 05:21:56 AM
Very cool....this will be a 4th of July for you to remember.  Congrats and great job!
Title: Re: Leg Socket Source
Post by: CatskillSmoker on June 29, 2020, 05:34:47 AM
Awesome example of RRR. I'm sure you made Dad smile.
Title: Re: Leg Socket Source
Post by: michaelmilitello on June 29, 2020, 05:37:44 AM
[emoji1303]great job!


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Title: Re: Leg Socket Source
Post by: JEBIV on June 29, 2020, 05:52:03 AM
Awesome RRR Steve Austin would be proud
Title: Re: Leg Socket Source
Post by: Mikeyd on June 29, 2020, 11:18:15 AM
This is so awesome!! Nice job on the restore!


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Title: Re: Leg Socket Source
Post by: AZ2FL on June 30, 2020, 04:23:26 AM
Great job on the RRR!
I’d be concerned about the galvanized steel junction box cover in my kettle.
Title: Re: Leg Socket Source
Post by: Rblackwell on June 30, 2020, 02:57:39 PM
AZ2FL thanks for the heads up about the zinc plated j box covers. It never crossed my mind, I know it can be nasty when welding. I did some research and looks like it does not give off fumes until 390F. I built a nice hot fire in another kettle and checked temp where legs attach and it was never more than 180F.  Still I think it best to either strip zinc off and paint w high temp paint or use another piece of painted steel.  Anyone else have thoughts on this?


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Title: Re: Leg Socket Source
Post by: Mr.CPHo on June 30, 2020, 04:06:04 PM

Anyone else have thoughts on this?
Yeah, better safe than sorry.

@AZ2FL good lookin’ out.