I didn't have the heart to dremel into the kettle and I wasn't 100% sold on the hose clamp idea so I started playing around a bit with what I had in the garage and came across a roll of Stainless Steel Tie-Wire (the regular stuff rusts almost instantly). This is used for rebar or reinforcing steel in construction applications. It's very strong but is a thin gauge so it hides well as you will see below.
First I placed the kettle upside down and marked the ash-pan ring clips at just slightly above the level of the leg sockets... the rest is pretty self explanatory:
(http://www.fraservalleyweddingfestival.com/temp/mtconv1.jpg)
(http://www.fraservalleyweddingfestival.com/temp/mtconv2.jpg)
Bend the tab to about 90 degrees... I overdid it a bit in this photo.
(http://www.fraservalleyweddingfestival.com/temp/mtconv3.jpg)
At this point I used a small file to make small notches on either side of the tab that the wire would sit in/catch on.
(http://www.fraservalleyweddingfestival.com/temp/mtconv4.jpg)
Using pliers twist the wire as tight as possible and then clip it off even and bent it over to avoid snagging anything.
(http://www.fraservalleyweddingfestival.com/temp/mtconv5.jpg)
All three complete...
(http://www.fraservalleyweddingfestival.com/temp/mtconv6.jpg)
Here is the wire around the leg socket - It actually almost tucks up underneath the lip where the socket meets the leg.
(http://www.fraservalleyweddingfestival.com/temp/mtconv7.jpg)
Reasonably clean! (sorry for the bad pics here...)
(http://www.fraservalleyweddingfestival.com/temp/mtconv8.jpg)
You can still remove the legs after install if needed and it easily holds the pan on there nice and solid. I managed to leave the old pinch clips for the ash pan on so each leg had to come off again.
Anyways, just another idea!
That's a nice clean mod and well executed
Thanks for the write up
I like it ! Simple and clean...
Thanks, I was trying to go as minimalistic as possible...
Started with this Blue OT+:
(http://www.fraservalleyweddingfestival.com/temp/blueplus01.jpg)
And ended up with this 8)
(http://www.fraservalleyweddingfestival.com/temp/blueplus10.jpg)
This a good way to add the MT conversion. I like the stainless steel tie-wire and how you used the clamps to bend the tabs.
Painted handles?
Nope, just weird lighting. I sanded down handles from another kettle but they are super dried out and look like drift wood. May need to get another handle order together soon :)
I like the idea, very cool!
Nice. I need to do that conversion 8)
604-
Wow, great idea. I like how you can't see it unless you really know to look for it, yet it could be easily undone if needed.
For those that are unfamiliar with a OT+, here's more info. It's basically a Master Touch with the OTS ash-pan. I picked up a nice RED version this past spring that came with this brochure.
(http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/saxart/Grills/Plus.jpg) (http://s15.photobucket.com/user/saxart/media/Grills/Plus.jpg.html)
As you can see, they have the Therm and Lid-Bale of the Master Touch, but are missing the ash catcher. It seems like kind of an odd kettle for Weber to have built, but they are neat.
Again, nice job!