Steel wheels with rubber tread

[DonoBBQ]

Been looking for steel rims with rubber tread that's similar to the Weber  originals.  Any ideas?  Just  somethingclose  would be great .  Thanks
Don

[Troy]

most of us find and sacrifice donor kettles, use period incorrect wheels, or try to restore/rebuild the shitty old wheels

searching ebay and etsy for vintage steel wheels often turns up a lot of good options

[pbe gummi bear]

These are more like the older style from the early 60's but look great on a kettle: http://www.arnoldparts.com/equipment/arnoldparts/parts/parts-by-category/6-inch-wheels and these: http://www.martinwheelco.com/index.php/online-catalog (page 29). You will need a shaft spacer for some of these.

Weber used these wheels for a while: http://www.google.com/patents/US3020091 but idk where to source them currently. @Craig


Update: so looking into this a little more, the Inventor of that wheel, Milton Solomon went to go work for http://www.cortinaco.com/circle-caster-engineering/cce-catalog/ They were also based in Chicago so it's highly likely that Weber subcontracted their wheels to one or both of these companies. I would bet 20 bucks they still have the tooling for these wheels.

[DirectDrive]

These are more like the older style from the early 60's but look great on a kettle: http://www.arnoldparts.com/equipment/arnoldparts/parts/parts-by-category/6-inch-wheels and these: http://www.martinwheelco.com/index.php/online-catalog (page 29). You will need a shaft spacer for some of these.

Weber used these wheels for a while: http://www.google.com/patents/US3020091 but idk where to source them currently. @Craig


Update: so looking into this a little more, the Inventor of that wheel, Milton Solomon went to go work for http://www.cortinaco.com/circle-caster-engineering/cce-catalog/ They were also based in Chicago so it's highly likely that Weber subcontracted their wheels to one or both of these companies. I would bet 20 bucks they still have the tooling for these wheels.

Great links Gummi !
It appears Lowes carries Arnold.....might be able to save on shipping, etc.

And yep, looks like most of those 1/2" ID bearings will need a 3/8" ID / 1/2" OD bushing to adapt to the Weber axle.
Wonder if there is an easy source for those ?

[Maxmbob]

@DirectDrive, would these work?

http://m.ebay.com/itm/272053012333

[DirectDrive]

Yep, those look like they would do it.

[DirectDrive]

Also, the "hub length" would be very important to keep an eye on.
I don't think that the Weber axle would work with a hub length over 1-1/2" long.

Can anyone confirm ?

[DirectDrive]

This could be a good replacement...
http://www.mfgsupply.com/mower/mowertirestubes/mowersteelwheels/mowersteelwheels6/6-275.html

Narrow rubber "section" like vintage (most replacements are thicker at the section)
Painted white (easy to make a faux whitewall with black paint)
1-3/8" hub length
Ribbed treads (like vintage)
Bearing, not bushing....always a plus although bushing is fine.
1-3/4" wide tread...a little wider that stock is nice

price and shipping is fair

Edit:
You would need the aforementioned bushings and cut them to fit.
I would put a flat washer on first, then the wheel/bushing assembly and then either a generic cap nut or the so-called Weber "hub cap".

[DonoBBQ]

Thanks guys!  Although my 78' didn't have steel wheels ,  ball bearings may not be necessary but a nice addition.   I think it would  be a nice touch.  Spacers are easy to come by as well as spray paint to make them black.  I'm thinking instead  of the usual whitewall.  I might do a red stripe.  It's nostalgic ,  and would look cool with the red bowl. I'm really having fun with this new hobby.   

[glend123]

I got mine at Ace.  about $10 a piece and I made a bushing ( I had to drill out the ID of the bushing to .390") and painted them black.
Pics are in my thread about my 26er.

[DirectDrive]

That must be this one ?
http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1277441&cp=2568443.2568444.2598675.2602604.1260300

Is that a generic "axle nut" ?

[glend123]

[quote

That must be this one ?
http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1277441&cp=2568443.2568444.2598675.2602604.1260300

Is that a generic "axle nut" ?
[/quote]

Yes,  but mine are 8" for the 26er.
Yes, it's just generic axle nut from the Ace parts drawers.