Weber Kettle Club Forums

Grill Talk => Weber Grill Forum (Grills, Accessories) => Topic started by: Winz on April 14, 2014, 05:47:44 PM

Title: Westerner Ash Pan Repair
Post by: Winz on April 14, 2014, 05:47:44 PM
Starting to work my way up on fixing up the Westerner.  Got the wheels and triangle done, moving on to the ash pan.

Anyone have a good fix, or replacement source, for the "hooks" that hold the ash pan in place?

(https://dl.dropbox.com/s/tlq4okl2l9f2mqb/Ash%20Pan%20Begining.jpg)

Thanks,

Winz
Title: Re: Westerner Ash Pan Repair
Post by: 1buckie on April 14, 2014, 05:54:28 PM


Shower curtain hook with rivets?


.....thinking......thinking..........

The original holes are there, correct?
Title: Re: Westerner Ash Pan Repair
Post by: Winz on April 14, 2014, 06:15:44 PM
QuoteThe original holes are there, correct?

Yes.  This was a "pre twist" ash pan with the U shaped cutouts, and the hooks that wrapped around the legs below the ash pan for support.  The holes are where the original hooks mounted.  No idea what happened to them.  This is how it should look:

(https://dl.dropbox.com/s/70fvx6lzz0m4z95/1960ashpan.jpg)

Winz
Title: Re: Westerner Ash Pan Repair
Post by: G on April 14, 2014, 06:23:37 PM
Ive replaced a few missing hooks.  The originals appear to be aluminum wire with one end flattened to affix to the pan.  I have tried aluminum wire with a loop on the end and affixed using a small nut/bolt.  Also tried steel wire from a tomato cage, flattened one end with a hammer, then drilled a hole in it large enough to fit a rivet.  The other end was curved to match the shape of the hooks (there was an original attached).  Both worked well.  I recently found a short piece of some thicker aluminum wire on a job site that I plan to use for an upcoming project. 
Title: Re: Westerner Ash Pan Repair
Post by: MartyG on April 14, 2014, 06:29:36 PM
I might be mistaken, but I believe the clips are steel, not aluminum. I may need to remake some myself, and have a good pattern to use as a model. Seems straightforward, but I may enlist a blacksmith I know as a parner in crime. Will take some measurements and photos and post the results.

Don't hold your breath...I'm in Huntington Beach CA on a biz trip at the moment...
Title: Re: Westerner Ash Pan Repair
Post by: G on April 14, 2014, 06:50:26 PM
Original:
(http://i1155.photobucket.com/albums/p542/brainbob/IMG_4918.jpg)

Steel wire fix:
(http://i1155.photobucket.com/albums/p542/brainbob/IMG_4919.jpg)

Not perfect but it works.  I think a wire with a little thicker diameter would look the part better.
Title: Re: Westerner Ash Pan Repair
Post by: Craig on April 14, 2014, 07:43:33 PM
Nice work, G! We need to get these ash pan/utility shelf how to's archived or stickied..
Title: Re: Westerner Ash Pan Repair
Post by: Duke on April 14, 2014, 07:48:48 PM
Nice fab work G.
Title: Re: Westerner Ash Pan Repair
Post by: Heyjude on April 14, 2014, 07:59:21 PM
I wonder if you could get a piece of wire, heat it up with a torch and then squeeze it flat with a vice?
Of course, you better know how to handle the hot wire. As for the rivet, that's a bit harder as they look pretty small.  8)
Title: Re: Westerner Ash Pan Repair
Post by: Duke on April 14, 2014, 08:10:56 PM
Use thin steel rod, it's easy to work with and will last forever if you remove it carefully without losing it's shape.
Title: Re: Westerner Ash Pan Repair
Post by: Heyjude on April 14, 2014, 08:25:03 PM
Rivets Galore here:

http://www.hansonrivet.com/ (http://www.hansonrivet.com/)
Title: Re: Westerner Ash Pan Repair
Post by: Winz on April 26, 2014, 02:39:34 PM
Had some time this morning and took my project to the expert.  He is a client of mine that is a blacksmith on the weekends.

Get the steel hot!

(https://dl.dropbox.com/s/ty9nppfexg19v8x/black%201.jpg)

Flatten the end for attachment

(https://dl.dropbox.com/s/gxcom5aqf4dvcja/black%202.jpg)

The bend - this tool is the key to a nice curve.

(https://dl.dropbox.com/s/p4zfs79rrgyfh6k/black%203.jpg)

Trim to fit:

(https://dl.dropbox.com/s/bm5cgs4jwtsl35q/black%204.jpg)

The finished product:

(https://dl.dropbox.com/s/93dff0btjyei546/Black%206.jpg)


These things are STOUT.  Going to the hardware store for some fastener alternatives. I will probably bolt them on for now in case I need to take one back to him to get more made.

Winz
Title: Re: Westerner Ash Pan Repair
Post by: Craig on April 26, 2014, 03:53:17 PM
Nice work!! Look exactly like the originals!


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Title: Re: Westerner Ash Pan Repair
Post by: Hogsy on April 26, 2014, 04:06:23 PM
Great work Winz,very 8)
Title: Re: Westerner Ash Pan Repair
Post by: pbe gummi bear on April 26, 2014, 04:07:13 PM
Thats beautiful craftsmanship by your friend.
Title: Re: Westerner Ash Pan Repair
Post by: zavod44 on April 26, 2014, 04:26:23 PM
Nice fix, I need  few myself.  I think the originals were aluminum, simply because the one's I have are not rusty.  The steel will obviously never wear out.  I was just going to smash some aluminum rod in a vice and file it and bend it to shape.

Title: Re: Westerner Ash Pan Repair
Post by: landgraftj on April 26, 2014, 04:27:48 PM
If I ever need any of those I know who to contact. Great job Winz!
Title: Re: Westerner Ash Pan Repair
Post by: 5280Jeff on April 26, 2014, 05:08:13 PM
Very cool!  8)
Title: Re: Westerner Ash Pan Repair
Post by: Danny C on April 27, 2014, 12:00:05 AM
Quote from: Winz on April 14, 2014, 06:15:44 PM
QuoteThe original holes are there, correct?

Yes.  This was a "pre twist" ash pan with the U shaped cutouts, and the hooks that wrapped around the legs below the ash pan for support.  The holes are where the original hooks mounted.  No idea what happened to them.  This is how it should look:

(https://dl.dropbox.com/s/70fvx6lzz0m4z95/1960ashpan.jpg)

Winz
Does anyone see something wrong with this pic?
Title: Re: Westerner Ash Pan Repair
Post by: mirkwood on April 27, 2014, 12:35:28 AM
Quote from: Danny C on April 27, 2014, 12:00:05 AM
Does anyone see something wrong with this pic?

Um, yep sure do.
Title: Re: Westerner Ash Pan Repair
Post by: Winz on April 27, 2014, 03:28:40 AM
QuoteDoes anyone see something wrong with this pic?

Yes.  It unfortunately has the same factory defect as this kettle, rendering it completely worthless:

http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/trading-post/brown-metal-handle-$10-milwaukee/ (http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/trading-post/brown-metal-handle-$10-milwaukee/)

Winz
Title: Re: Westerner Ash Pan Repair
Post by: mirkwood on April 27, 2014, 07:42:43 PM
I donno, in the right hands it prolly can be salvaged :)
Title: Re: Westerner Ash Pan Repair
Post by: Craig on April 27, 2014, 07:47:37 PM
I've had that baby blue beauty saved to my laptop for nearly two years... #want


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Title: Re: Westerner Ash Pan Repair
Post by: salad on April 28, 2014, 01:45:10 PM
Better than original.  Having a blacksmith friend would be awesome.  I have a couple friends who weld but no blacksmiths.