I got blue

[JDD]

I finally added some color to my family! Picked up this blue OTS on CL. Needs a little work.
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[Bob BQ]

Very nice! Congrats!!

[Craig]

Nice pickup!

[GregS]

awesome blue, you should be able to get that baby back tip top in no time. 

and it's got your initial on it!

[argentflame]

That is a cool blue.

[JDD]

I'm thinking about converting this kettle to an OTG. What do you guys think? I am a little nervous about drilling the lid for the thermometer but it should be fairly easy. Or should I just clean it up, add some wood handles, and leave it as an OTS? Just looking for some of your opinions.

[1911Ron]

If it were me i wouldn't drill the lid, but i would add a ash ring and bucket.  Nice looking Blue by the way.

[GregS]

you could always just set a thermo in the top vent. 

i vote new wood handles and proper cleaning.  you could always just hose clamp the newer style ash catch to the legs.  while not completely pretty, it's pretty effective i would think.

great looking blue though, congrats again! 

[Bob BQ]

I definitely prefer my kettles with an ash bucket over an ash pan... I'd definitely add the ash bucket, at the very least. Like 1911Ron, I wouldn't worry too much about the thermo.

[JDD]

Thanks for your input guys.  This is a code J (1987) so is it correct that the newer style ash catcher will not fit without some modification?

[MacEggs]

Great looking blue.  Let's see some cleaned-up pics. 

This is a code J (1987) so is it correct that the newer style ash catcher will not fit without some modification?

If you mean the new ring and ash catcher for 2015, then I do not know for sure. I would think it would fit without any mods.
I have converted two redheads to golds where I drilled into the leg socket to secure the ring.
You might be able to find the previous generation on ereplacement.com.

[JDD]

All cleaned up!

[jcnaz]

Beautiful!

[dengland]

Beautiful blue!

[SixZeroFour]

Amazing job JDD! What a world of difference! And I'm so happy to see those sweet wood handles on there, completely changes the look on a blue esp!

... "J" Code?