I got a chance to give the newly acquired Westerner a once over and discovered the battle scars are much worse then expected.
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/16/51a6edab88a33f4fe3826f874a2c7a69.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/16/4cee105c3cdcbaccc8b2bc7924ddd4fb.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/16/e7e1b2cbbffd49e0963b4eedf091c680.jpg)
The grate straps have all been bent forward at some point and time , I think someone was trying to fit a smaller grill grate in there and didn't realize the damage they were causing , the top weld has all but been pulled through the side of the bowl in two places and then years of rust has done the rest. The holes are located behind the grate straps, Because of the buildup you couldn't even see the holes unless you scraped around a bit.
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/16/48ed3665f8a7334c1e1f9b492794f4e2.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/16/c13b5f161caabfeb77b2bbc6b6e2ee2e.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/16/781e1ddf67359af65158c97ff17c0ad3.jpg)
The worst hole is about the size of a dime
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/16/0eff0ac420e63ff88ff63ab387603724.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/16/e39531b0a33c6cc0cafe91fece051dd3.jpg)
The handle appears to have been on fire at one point
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/16/ec2884c6e3f62ce9f4103e34840a06f8.jpg)
The grill was dumped on the handle and it's pushed in quite a bit , it's causing the lid to not fit properly.
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/16/e2f7dfa75e3169b27e6879679751b8f8.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/16/ed05b18b74fffc415b8d3af4a2748d0a.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/16/c78c4113748037c570c9ac88627ad34f.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/16/41d42108b0f322fb4b3a24aaf64db093.jpg)
The leg sockets are solid and the lid is in good condition. The legs wheels and triangle are in great shape and will clean up nicely .
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/16/7602eec91ca9164652aa5b2328aa3ceb.jpg)
The plan is gently straighten what can be straightened and hopefully stop the rust from spreading in the future , I don't plan to seal the holes at this time , I think getting the grate straps back where they belong will help and I still plan on using the grill regardless !
Thanks to @MrBill again for the assist and Indy ( Tom) for the 26er box
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It has a few battle scars but that is still a spectacular kettle Dave!! Holy Cow is right!!! Edit: Your clever title fooled my not so clever morning brain ;D
All that rust staining will come off, then it's just a few quick fixes that you are more than capable of handling!
Amazing Kettle!!!
Super cool kettle.....glad I was able help..
Tom
Battle scares and all, she'll make a heckuva cooker.
Great character to the old bull! Clean her up and throw on a big porterhouse!
Wow! Looks awesome! Great character!
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Glad a gem like that is in the hands of someone who will take care of it bring it back to life, can't wait to see the first cook!
Congratulations on a great find!
I think you will do it proud on the restore!
Very Nice! I look forward to the restoration. :)
Awesome kettle! Bet he has a few stories
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Wow! How yall find these beauts is beyond me
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Wow, that's going to be a challenge... can't wait to see the progress and the finished results!
Quote from: Idahawk on September 16, 2015, 07:20:49 AMThanks to... Indy ( Tom) for the 26er box
...and glad to see that the 26er box that
@ramsfan originally supplied is making the rounds, as intended!
Quote from: Bob BQ on September 17, 2015, 05:00:59 PM
Wow, that's going to be a challenge... can't wait to see the progress and the finished results!
Quote from: Idahawk on September 16, 2015, 07:20:49 AMThanks to... Indy ( Tom) for the 26er box
...and glad to see that the 26er box that @ramsfan originally supplied is making the rounds, as intended!
I'm glad someone was able to be helped by using my previous 26'er box. Take care of it and keep passing it around the club as needed when a 26'er needs to be shipped somewhere.
A looker and a cooker
she may not be museum quality but that's still a damn fine old grill! very cool find!