I was lucky enough to score this sweet 26er the other day. Not the best picture to tell, but it's got some nice spun lines!
Not a lot of back story, the guy only told me it was his uncle's and he brought it up from Florida when they cleared out his estate. It was funny though, he called me the day after I picked it up and asked, "Is there something special about that grill I sold you? Because some guy called from Atlanta as was willing to drive all the way up here for it."
I told him about this place, and said given it's age and size, it was only special to a small handful of people. I could only image that the guy who called him was part of the club, ATL where you at?
Anyway, it's in kind of rough shape. On to pictures...
Lid vent
Grate is super rusty, but I'm gonna try and save it. I also noticed a ridge in the bowl about inch below the top. It's not like what you see in the economy kettles (I don't think?) Any ideas?
Charcoal grate is rusty too, I never knew about the support bridge
This is one of the worst spots. Small rust hole at one of the grate straps, and some significant crazing all around
Handles are rough too, and loose. Any advice one making sure they stay on?
Missing a vent, and the other ones are really dirty. It also has that flattened bottom with the little point like
@GregS red 26er
Triangle is rough, and kind of looks like it had been painted before
And at some point someone installed screws to hold the legs in. And the socket is cracked...This kettle post dates thumbscrews, but I think I'm gonna go ahead and put some on to cover the holes.
Wheels seem like they'll clean up well
So here are my questions, and where I need help.
What's up with the ridge line near the top of the bowl?
What's the best fix, if any for that small hole? (It's not so big, like if you put a sharpened pencil point in there it would go to about where the lead met the wood)
What's the fix for the handles? They're not off, but you can move them if you put some weight on them.
The bottom vents also don't sit flush, just bang them back flush after I clean out the dirt? Also, does anyone have a extra small tab daisy wheel lying around. (I'll post in the trade sections too)
And one of the bigger issues...The lid doesn't always sit right. I haven't had the chance to check round yet, but I think it's worse than that. The triangle won't stay in place (it keeps popping out of the front leg). When you put the kettle in the up-right position the back legs roll out under the weight of the kettle and I think it flexes the bowl. I hoping to bend the hook on the front of the triangle to a steeper angle, and hopefully that will grab the front leg better and hold everything in place.
Thanks for looking (if you made it this far), and any advice would be greatly appreciated!
A sunset shot, however the sun has not yet set on this Cheif!