finally! she is all done - Redhead SSP restore underway

[greenweb]

haeffb and pbe gummi bear methods are better than what I did.  Thanks for your suggestions.


Few clean ups I have done so far.









Wheels taken apart.  More cleaning - Wheels, axle, and frames 




Plan:

-to clean rest of the parts (done!)
- to Ultrasonic bath all good stock nuts and bolts to brand new condition (done!)
- to get rid of rust inside the frames and rust treat inside (done!)
- to clean and shine the frame. Where rusted areas- ground down, sanded and painted to match (done Feb 10)
- to drill and mount the handle assy. with SS bolts and nuts (done!)
- to test the burner assy function. no 5ib tank but I can use 20lb tank to test out.  (1lb can conversion in works)
- undecided to go with older style ash bucket assy. or new.  I have old style coming as it was missing. 
- lid bale was pushed in- all fixed now.  Sweeper assy. all cleaned too, but for this project I will use all new lid bale assy and sweeper assy.
- will sport Zav wood handle, tab, bale rollers when done.
- will also have Uncle Al white walls on

Parts coming.
- frame end plugs: ordered  (got it!)
- star nuts:  Foster Dahlet has been kind enough to send me rest of them after his SSP project was done free of any charge. (got it!)  Thanks!
- ash bucket:  getting one from Zav. Thanks!
- just ordered Uncle Al whitewalls.( got it! 2/1/17 )
- Rest of my wood handles  from Zav

[RottiGuy]

Great job!!!.Gonna look sharp when done!!

[Foster Dahlet]

Looking good!

[greenweb]

Thanks!  My frame end plugs came in today.  I will buy brand new 5lb tank to keep it stock once burner assy gets tested.

Lid handle is on. All SS hardware. bolts, high temp gasket, large washer to spread the load, smaller washer, nut, and wing nut to lock it down. This handle isn't coming loose anytime soon.











I will continue to update as I get things done and parts arrive.

[Foster Dahlet]

I really like what you did with the handle there.  When mine finally comes loose, I will use the same solution.

[WNC]

Great job there, that handle looks sharp!



Sent from my iPhone using Weber Kettle Club mobile app

[greenweb]

Thanks!

I really like what you did with the handle there.  When mine finally comes loose, I will use the same solution.

Few things to watch out for when doing this.

The bolts I used are the same size as the bolts used on newer bolt on handles. I did not want to go anything smaller than this. They are 1/4-20-3/4.  Not much room for error when drilling the holes.  First, make a note of where the weld has broken off on the bot. of the handle. They are never dead on in the center.  You want to drill close to that spot.  Mark the spot with a marker- center punch the spot- start with a small bit. I ended up using 4 different bits until the holes were just big enough that bolts would slide in without much clearance. Of course, this is after I deburred the holes.  Lid holes has to be opened up same size  or even slightly bigger. On mine, holes lined up and bolts just dropped in. 

I would say this lid handle is just as strong if not stronger than freshly spot welded handle and with the second wing nuts tightened against first hex nuts.... this handle is not coming off unless you want it to.  The wing nuts puts no load on the bolts



Topped up with a Zav live edge Box Elder wood handle for now



Few more parts cleaned. Nuts and bolts cleaned using Ultrasonic cleaner.



Frames are next. This is the worst section. I won't know how bad it is till I get it down to the bare metal.


I will be rigging up a tool to clean inside the frames.

Continuing on.....

[SteveZ]

 That will be a sweet looken REDHEAD! Way to work on the details. I hope the bones are ok.

[haeffb]

You might think about using the new (2015+) lid bale rather than replacing with the old style. It's great to get the lid a little further out of the way.

[greenweb]

You might think about using the new (2015+) lid bale rather than replacing with the old style. It's great to get the lid a little further out of the way.

Do you have a pic of the new style lid bale on your SSP. I don't think I have seen one on.  I know it is more functional with 90 deg. opening, but I am not sure if I really like the look with it sticking out so far.  Now that you mentioned it, I like to see how it looks on SSP.  Thanks!

[Foster Dahlet]

It would be difficult to get the cover to fit with newer lid bale.  Correct?

[Jason]

Your RRR on that SS is coming along nicely...lookin sharp!

It would be difficult to get the cover to fit with newer lid bale.  Correct?

The stock cover on my SSP is a tight fit as it is. I can't imagine it fitting with the newer style lid bale. I'm sure, on a really warm day, that you could squeeze it on there, but once it cools down, good luck!

[haeffb]

I have a third-party cover on my SSP with the new bale and it fits just fine.

[Foster Dahlet]

I have a third-party cover on my SSP with the new bale and it fits just fine.

Is that the one from Grill Stuff?

[greenweb]

I have a third-party cover on my SSP with the new bale and it fits just fine.

That looks fantastic! Looks like 2016 Copper Performer kettle dropped into SSP frame.


Not much update this weekend.  Star Nuts came in on Friday. Thanks!  Proper credit will be given to 5 members who sent me parts ( some free and some I bought) when I am done.