Help restoring a handle on a redhead

[BigSam]

Picked this up via CL a little over a week ago for $20. The lady was kind enough to also throw in a chimney starter, a bag of charcoal, some veggie pans, and a couple bottles of lighter fluid.




The only problem is that somewhere along the line of this beauty someone removed the original top handle. I'd love to get some nice wood handles put on but am not really sure what to do about the top since the welds are gone. I've found this: http://www.ereplacementparts.com/handle-kit-wshield-p-1476033.html but am just not sure I'd love the look of it.

Any suggestions would be really appreciated!!

[pbe gummi bear]

Hey Sam, check out the Weber fireplace handles. They look just like the welded handle ones but bolt on.

[Bman]

That is a great looking Master Touch!  Bummer about the original lid handle.  Not sure what I'd do if it were mine.  Probably keep an eye out for another red kettle to swap lids on.  Welcome to the WKC

[Weber MD]

Sam,

She's a beaut! Good luck with the handle....

[pbe gummi bear]

That is a great looking Master Touch!  Bummer about the original lid handle.  Not sure what I'd do if it were mine.  Probably keep an eye out for another red kettle to swap lids on.  Welcome to the WKC

Actually since its a MT the MT has a taller top handles than normal to accommodate the therm. The heatshield may cover up those holes nicely.

[BigSam]

Thanks for the responses. So what classifies it as a MT? Were the handles welded on?

The handles for the fireplace look right but I'm not sure how to order them. The Ereplacements site seems to just have the top and bottom plastic handle pieces.

Maybe I can call Weber and see what they'll throw my way.

[G]

First.....welcome to the WKC.....

An MT is different than the regular One Touch Silver or Gold in that it has the ash can, lid bail, and thermometer in the lid handle.  It appears the former owner bolted that black handle in the rear weld and the thermometer holes.  The two smaller holes in front of the current handle are the former weld points.  If mine, I would remove that handle, add a bolt/washer to seal the hole where the front of the black handle is, and use some red high heat paint to blend it in with the lid.  Then bolt on a fireplace handle to get you the wood handle you desire.  You would have to drill one hole.  You can get the fireplace handles here:
http://www.ereplacementparts.com/handle-fireplace-p-1475698.html

[Bluesman]

if it were mine this is what I would do.

1.) fab a new metal handle just like the original
2.) Call Weber and get the heat shield and thermometer
3.) Get in touch with Brian and order a (2) new wood handles
4.) Use Hi heat engine paint in red for the fabbed handle, prime first
5.) Use SS bolts with a lock washer and assemble

It will look perfect. Great find.

[BigSam]

if it were mine this is what I would do.

1.) fab a new metal handle just like the original

How would you go about doing that? I definitely don't have to skillset, tools, or specs to begin with.

[G$]

BigSam,

So...you gots to  decide if you want to restore the handle to Mastertouch functionality, or standard kettle functionality.  In other words, do you want the therm in that spot of the lid, with the heat shield, or not.

IF SO:  What bluesman suggests WOULD require you to fab the metal bracket piece of the handle.  if you have a table vice, and pliers, you COULD do that using a plain piece of flat stock.  Basically it will be an ~11 inch by 5/8 inch piece of stock with two 90 degree bends, and two countour ish 90 degree bends.  Then you will need to drill a little hole for the heat shield to clip in to, and two holes where it will mount to the kettle, and at least one more hole to mount the wood handle.  Personally.... I would NOT bother with this. 

I would do what G just suggested, and buy a fireplace handle from ereplacement.  You will get the following mounting bracket in unfinished metal, which is the same size as a non MT handle because it does not need to accommodate the thermometer.  It already has mounting holes in the handle, and the hardware comes with.  You will paint it with red VHT enamel.   They come two to a pack...and you get the wood handles too.  If you want a lid therm...just add the bezel style.

[mike.stavlund]

FWIW, I strongly prefer the bezel style thermo over the thru-handle style.  Looks better and works better imo.  If my red handle fell off and I didn't have the pieces to bolt it back on, I'd switch to bezel.  I've even thought of putting a bezel style on my red grills, but I'm afraid that having both kinds of thermos would look like wearing a belt with suspenders. 

part number for bezel and thermo is #70180.  costs about $8. 

Nice Master-Touch, Sam!  Really clean, and an incredible price.  Congrats on that great find, and best wishes as you get it into working order. 

[G$]

Mike, I actually like the look and function of the MT style more, but repairing it would be a real pain and I would go bezel.

[Bluesman]

I like the look of the bezel, however seeing that it is an MT, I would go that route as not many redheads in that condition show up. It's your grill to do as you please. As you stated you don't have the wherewithal to make the handle then follow the other advice. But how are you going to drill the two handle mounting holes and the the hole for the thermometer? This requires a drill and two drill bits along with a hammer and center punch. G$ has the correct approach that requires minimal skills. Let's see it when it's done. That's a great find.

[zavod44]

if it were mine this is what I would do.

1.) fab a new metal handle just like the original
2.) Call Weber and get the heat shield and thermometer
3.) Get in touch with Brian and order a (2) new wood handles
4.) Use Hi heat engine paint in red for the fabbed handle, prime first
5.) Use SS bolts with a lock washer and assemble

It will look perfect. Great find.

Totally agree.... You can buy the strip of metal at home depot, so all you need is a vice.  Carefully mark the bends and off you go.  Very easy.  I would try to get it back to original.  If you get the therm parts from Weber at least you can cover up most of the mess.  ......

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk 4

[pbe gummi bear]

Someone here should have a therm and shield or at least know where to find one.

L