Need help recent CL pick up Red SS performer lid out of round

[Dave O]

Picked up a nice ss red performer non gas assist off cl for a decent price, its needs some help. The ash catcher bracket is shot as well as the sweeper, and  bucket. Mine first item I want to fix is the the lid, it appears to have beed dropped or bent and will not sit flush on bowl any ideas on how to fix this would greatly be appreciated, will post photos as restore progresses

[MartyG]

Nice one Dave. You can always go commando and use an open bucket for ashes.    I presume the OT system is toast too, but that can be rehabbed. How out of round is the ld? Take some measurements and find out where the issue is, (or use the ding as a clue) then hug it in the opposite direction - a little at a time. You'll get there. Keep the pics coming, this one os going to be nice. I like using the paraffin cubes, so no worry about gas assist. One less thing to go wrong.

[OGlenn]

Nice pickup!

Like Marty said, a little squeeze on the wider sides and/or a pull on the narrower sides will get you pretty close to round, just go slow so you won't crack the porcelain.

As for the ash can, you have a bunch of options. You can order a new-style ash can w/ring and a sweeper form weber. If the ash can ring is salvageable AND you can find a 7409 sweeper, you could make a bar as shown here: http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/weber-kettles-accessories/diy-old-style-one-touch-gold-ash-catcher-bar/msg60462/#msg60462.  There are folks here that make them for you and will sell it to you too.  Alternatively, you can use wire or some other method (like hose clamps) to hold up the old ash ring, which would allow you to use the new style sweeper. Sounds like you need an ash can anyway and it isn't much more money to get a new ring with it.

[mike.stavlund]

+1 for careful measurements and slow squeezes of the lid. 

Flip the lid upside down, and rest the edge of the lid on your sternum.  Then grab the opposite side with both hands and gently pull it toward you.  Like we've said, go real slow, especially if you are very strong.  ;-)

If you can find a large, flat surface, you can also check your lid for true.  Set it on a piece of cast concrete, or a large cut stone, or a countertop and see if it is flat, or it rocks.  Not sure you can fix an out-of-flat lid, but you can at least save yourself the trouble of trying to get it to fit. 

You can also twist your lid around on the bowl to see if it fits tighter in one position than another. 

[pbe gummi bear]

+1 for careful measurements and slow squeezes of the lid. 

Flip the lid upside down, and rest the edge of the lid on your sternum.  Then grab the opposite side with both hands and gently pull it toward you.  Like we've said, go real slow, especially if you are very strong.  ;-)

If you can find a large, flat surface, you can also check your lid for true.  Set it on a piece of cast concrete, or a large cut stone, or a countertop and see if it is flat, or it rocks.  Not sure you can fix an out-of-flat lid, but you can at least save yourself the trouble of trying to get it to fit. 

You can also twist your lid around on the bowl to see if it fits tighter in one position than another.

+1 bear hugging works as long as the kettle was round to begin with. There's an old discussion of it too, which is where my signature came from.

[Dave O]

Thanks for tips on fixing the lid,