I know this topic’s title paints a gloomy picture, but it’s in no way as bad as it sounds. It actually refers to some pretty sweet vintage non-Webers I’ve restored so far this spring. This was the first finished:
Buddy L “Sunburst” Model #1163 Electric Kettle
Got it NIB for a grate price, because it was missing the hardware pack. That obviously meant no hardware to bolt it together. It also meant no lid stops, lid thermo, wheel covers, temp control knob, and a couple other parts. Hoping the seller will come across the parts bag one day, and remember who the he!! I am[emoji1696] Trying to keep everything looking period correct is easier said than done. Hardest thing to find was a control knob that was the same vintage, and had no markings.
There are a million thermometers out there, so it was just a matter of finding the perfect size/design to look right.
Since I lack the ability to recreate intricate stamped steel parts, the lid stops required a solution that fit the design of the kettle. Set up a jig to shape some steel rod and threaded the ends to bolt to the bowl.
When I was trying to figure out what to do for the wheel caps, I was struggling with various ideas. One night I was fueling up my truck, and noticed the cyclone fence post I was leaning on had a finishing cap that looked about the perfect diameter (+ some older Buddy L braziers had similar shape). Off to Home Depot to look...they had ‘em, and they were the exact diameter needed. Modified the caps, and wheels so they’d twist together.
Thanks for looking...and no, I won’t be cooking anything on ‘er. Too pristine, too small, and too electric for my cooks!!!
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Topic: Started Spring The Non-Weber Way (Part 1) (Read 1850 times)