So, this is resurrecting a very old post, but my restoration of the Ladybug (Name courtesy of
@Cellar2ful ) is complete. Over the weekend I picked up a very rotted mid-seventies kettle, which had a good ash pan. The bottom was rusted out, with one leg socket hanging by a thread and two others with some holes around the welds. It was missing a wheel, its wood handle, and two daisy vents on the bottom. This was my donor kettle. I took the triangle, and removed the two bowl handles which I sprayed with some red high heat caliper paint.
Additionally, I took the wheels off the Ladybug which were from a mid 90s kettle and were actually in great condition. About a year ago, I had sold a late 60s Statesman to a friend of mine, who said he wouldn't mind swapping out the old steel wheels (one has a bit of rubber missing) for some nicer new wheels. These wheels had their "Weber" labeled inserts in complete condition, and I texted him Sunday whether we could make the swap...He said he would be glad to, so I picked up the wheels from him yesterday, giving him a 6 pack of Sierra Nevada Oktoberfest I still had in the garage fridge along with the wheels.
Finally, last night, I drilled holes in the bowl and attached the donor handles using 1/2 inch #4 screws and nuts. I then put on the period correct wheels and the old school ash pan. And with that, the Ladybug is about as restored as it's going to get. I have loved using it, as I'm not too concerned about hurting its condition, and the handles are going to be such a big improvement, as moving it has been a real pain. It's come a long way since last November when I found it abused and neglected at the Nelson Ghost Town south of Vegas. (see beginning of post)
Topic: Spotted an abused Wood Dale today. (Read 4795 times)