Another Red Rescue - Thanks, Duke! (FINISHED)

[MacEggs]

Duke PM'd me about a CL ad in Toronto's Beaches district, just east of the downtown core. Thanks, bro! 
He sent me that PM on October 5th, and I picked it up today. 

The ad was titled, "Beautiful red charcoal bbq - $40 (Toronto beaches)" ... no mention of Weber.

I like the vent code ... "M"! 

The ash pan was toast. No charcoal grate. Handles are pooched. Ash sweepers crumbled in my hands.
Two legs came out no problem, the other was somewhat tougher. Some WD-40 "Specialist" Rust-Release Penetrant, and it was out.
No thumb-screw tab. Time for the grinder, as everything was seized.

Overall, this is going to clean up real nice. The interior bowl has no issues, nor does the interior lid.
Some little dings and blemishes on the exterior, but, I've seen worse. 

[OGlenn]

Looks like they used the ash catcher as their charcoal grate. I'm sure you'll get her squared away in short order.

Just for future reference, I think if you cut the rod close to the "nut",  it would slide up and out of the washer and the bowl. Might be easier than cutting across the bolt, although by going parallel like you did, there is less of a chance of nicking the bowl.

[Hogsy]

Good work guys!!
Can't wait to see it restored and fired up

[Duke]

You the man! I'm really glad you scooped that grill up Mac! I cracked up when I saw the OT and that pan! I can see it has plenty of potential because the main parts are in good shape. I can't wait to see it finished.

Just to reply to O'Glenn, another great way of removing the old OT is to just cut the handle off right at the nut and it will drop right through.

Good going my brother!

[Craig]

Three new Zavdles, a new pan, sweepers and some leg polishing and she's back in business. Nice score, Mac, and good eye, Shaun! Maybe since that ash pan is shot, you can take an opportunity to make it a "Gold". The bottom of that bowl near the leg sockets looks flawless. That's rare for a colored grill....at least in my findings.

[MacEggs]

Thanks for looking guys, and thanks for the advice!

My experience with restoring the red 18 I did back in September will make this one seem easy.  No need for JB weld on this one.

OGlenn: Yeah, that's exactly what it was being used for. 

I converted that red 18 to a gold, that's my plan for this one, too.
I have legs and triangle from a 26er that were donated a while back to me from a local grillfella.
I hope to use those on this. Maybe paint the black triangle red. 

I am running out of time, as the weather is not co-operating. Overnight lows around freezing or colder.
Then rain and very cool during the day. Already had some light dustings of snow.    I'll do what I can. 

[glrasmussen]

Congrats! Look forward to seeing that on 26 stilts. I would like to rat-rod one with that mod.
I'm getting to old to bend over, the gained height would be an advantage for me.

[MacEggs]

Congrats! Look forward to seeing that on 26 stilts. I would like to rat-rod one with that mod.
I'm getting to old to bend over, the gained height would be an advantage for me.

Me too!  I am looking to use this as my KettlePizza-only kettle. Will help out my 6'2" middle-aged body. 
I just love the colour change on a red kettle. When using the KP adaptor, it gets very hot. 

[MacEggs]

I got to cleaning it up today. A beautiful 40° or so, and overcast. 
Picked up a fresh pack of 0000 steel wool and went to work.
Applied some non-toxic-biodregradable-grill-cleaner to the innards, this stuff sucks, however, the "non-toxic" part is nice. 

I like a clean lid vent, but, I'm a little lazy ... as long as I can read it. No big deal.
The top of the "R" in the word "PRODUCTS" is not completely etched into the vent. Anyone else have this? Just wondering. 

I then decided to deal with the 26er legs and triangle.
The axle part will not need to be trimmed, but, the post-leg, or, non-wheel leg of the triangle needed to be trimmed.
Got the trusty Dremel out with its fine little cutting wheel ... got it done.
This required one of the supports of the triangle to be removed.
The legs are not exactly snug in the sockets, so, I guess I will have to resort to using some aluminum foil to tighten the fit.
I also lopped off ⅞" of the post-leg, as they are longer for a 26er ... based on an 8" wheel, compared to a 6" wheel.

[Hottuna]

Nice -

I have two of these redheads one "h" the other im not sure of, one was dads and the other was my grandads.

I would like to restore one of them or both one day soon
Do you also restore the bowl? is so how do you re-paint the enamel?

Thanks

[MacEggs]

Do you also restore the bowl? is so how do you re-paint the enamel?

On this one, I will not be using any paint. I just gave everything a good scrub with 0000 steel wool, along with a pail of hot water and dish soap.


In the following thread, I used some paint on the bowl to touch up some serious neglect. Looks pretty good. 

http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/weber-kettles-accessories/need-help-advice-guidance-with-this-red-18/

[glrasmussen]

MacEggs, based on what your doing. Do you think the 26" legs with a 22" triangle would work?
Just curious, as I see this as project for me on a OTG. So enjoy the height of the new performer,
not as pretty as an S/S, but the added height for me is the cats meow.

[MacEggs]

Do you think the 26" legs with a 22" triangle would work?

I think it might work, but, could be tight ... pulling the legs together to fit ... 
I went ahead and painted the modified 26er triangle, so, that's what I'm going with.

If you look at the comparison pics. Then I removed the outer triangle support.
It appears to be a bit longer after I cut and curled the end.

[glrasmussen]

Thanks MacEggs! I think the 22 may just work. Its not Rocket Science, so I think there is a fudge factor in tolerance. I do see the axels stick
out a bit further, wonder if the 8" wheels would fit on the 22" axel length.

[MacEggs]

Thanks MacEggs! I think the 22 may just work. Its not Rocket Science, so I think there is a fudge factor in tolerance. I do see the axels stick
out a bit further, wonder if the 8" wheels would fit on the 22" axel length.

For sure ... no Rocket Science going on here! 

My folks got rid of an old Weber gasser (red) a few years back ... before I developed Weberitis. 
Now, I wish I salvaged the wheels, as, I think they were 8". Then no need to cut the post-leg.

Oh, well ... hindsight is always 20/20. I did salvage the side-burner, emblem, and my Dad kept the thermo for his WeberQ.